Whether or not a cat can be loose in the car is a question you often hear from newer cat owners or ones who find themselves in a tight spot. Either their old carrier broke, they forgot it at home, or they haven’t bought one yet. I’ve gone through each of these scenarios, and the answer is surprisingly straightforward each time.
As a general rule, cats should not be loose in the car while driving. A cat should always be secured using a carrier or another method like a harness and leash to lower the chance of accidents and injuries.
Suppose you don’t have a carrier, no worries! There are plenty of other options that’ll work in a pinch. Let’s go over some of them.
Cat Carrier Alternatives
Here are temporary solutions if you find yourself having to transport your cat without a carrier:
- Harness & Leash: This is my preferred method. A harness and leash let you secure your cat to a seatbelt while giving them plenty of space in the backseat. Be sure to fit the harness correctly so that your cat doesn’t slip out of it during the ride.
- Cat Backpack: These backpacks do an excellent job as a substitute carrier. The only issue is the lack of space, so your cat may feel cramped after a while. It’s also difficult to secure them to the backseat properly. I’d recommend the backpack option for shorter rides.
Click here for my recommended cat backpacks. - Repurposed Duffle Bag: A duffle bag is similar to a soft cat carrier but without the supports to keep it from collapsing into itself. You may need to add extra support, so it doesn’t squish your poor cat.
Most importantly, make sure at least one side of the bag is made with perforated mesh to allow ventilation. Do not put your cat in one of these if there isn’t proper airflow. - Cardboard Box: This is the poor man’s pet carrier. It’s self-explanatory & the key points are the same – size and ventilation. The box should be large enough so the cat can turn around easily, with holes big enough for airflow but small enough that the cat can’t squeeze through.
- Have someone hold your cat: Depending on how chill your cat is during car rides, you can have a trusted friend or family member hold onto them, preferably in the backseat. Use a towel or a leash if you have one to prevent your cat from jumping around in the car.
- Ask to borrow a carrier or crate: I’m sure you know a friend or family member who has a pet – which means they most likely own a carrier or a pet crate. It doesn’t hurt to ask if you could borrow it briefly or until you get one of your own. It’s also a great way to test out a carrier before buying!
Remember – the above options are temporary. Nothing beats a proper carrier in terms of comfort & safety for your cat. If you need help deciding which carrier is best for you, check out my favorite here.
Risks Involved with Cats Loose in the Car
Cats shouldn’t be loose in the car because of the many risks involved to your and their safety. Here are the most pressing concerns:
Risk of a collision
The reality is that most cats don’t like car rides. It’s not unheard of for a cat to jump into the driver’s footwell, preventing them from using their brake & gas pedals correctly. Putting them in the backseat unsupervised is a way to make them freak out.
If they don’t hop into the footwell, they can just as quickly jump onto the dashboard and obstruct your view. At that point, you’re both in danger of a collision.
Higher chance of injury in an accident
If an accident takes place your cat could be launched from the backseat into you, the dashboard, or through the windshield. There’s a good chance you or your cat could be seriously injured or worse.
A carrier will protect your cat from debris like shattered window glass and passenger airbags which would otherwise hurt them. It also makes it easy to quickly remove them from a car that might be dangerously damaged (leaking fuel tank, car on fire, fumes, etc.)
Your cat can escape
Cats can become naturally nervous during a car ride. Even if there isn’t an accident, they can decide to bolt out of the car as soon as you open the door. Add a busy street with cars zooming by, and you can imagine how quickly things can go south.
Your cat getting hit, causing another accident, or just getting lost are all real possibilities when nothing is keeping them secure in the car.
Car Sickness
Some cats become nauseous inside moving vehicles. Stress and anxiety are usually the primary triggers but are also caused by the differing pressures and motion to their inner-ear system.
It’s easier to manage cleanup duty if all the bodily fluids are contained in a pet carrier. You may need to give your cat a bath but at least no vomit will get on your car’s interior. Trust me; it’s not fun to clean at all.
Will a Cat Jump Out of a Moving Car?
A cat will likely jump out of a moving car if allowed. They have a natural dislike of car rides and will try to escape to find safety & comfort. The easiest way to prevent this is to keep your windows closed and have your cat secured in a carrier.
Again, your cat could jump out of the car and get seriously injured, become lost, cause an accident, or sustain a fatal fall. No amount of time or money-saving is worth that happening.
Conclusion
It can be tempting to put your cat in the backseat and wing it when you don’t have a carrier. It’s the easiest option for sure. But is it worth both your safety? Whatever you might be saving in time or money will potentially cost you much more. Besides, we just went over six options that should work perfectly until a carrier is available.
Do the right thing and keep your pet safe.
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