Traveling with pets can be stressful, especially when animals resist being placed in carriers. Mary Grippe, a cat owner, experienced this firsthand with her cat Cowboy during a recent car trip.
Grippe, who shares on Reddit as u/StrangeElk, told Newsweek she was driving home after visiting a friend where Cowboy stayed for the weekend. She tried to put Cowboy into his carrier, but he strongly refused. “He never likes it, but this time he was really refusing, so I just gave up,” she said.
Since the ride was only five minutes, Grippe decided to let Cowboy ride without the carrier or seatbelt. But during the trip, she took a photo that captured Cowboy’s regret perfectly. His wide eyes showed shock and horror as he realized the car was much scarier when not safely secured.
Cowboy’s reaction struck a chord with many pet owners online. Grippe’s Reddit post in r/cats quickly gained over 48,000 upvotes and 555 comments, with users sharing stories and sympathizing with the cat’s feelings.
The International Cat Association recommends using carriers for safety during travel. They suggest helping cats get used to carriers by introducing them gradually with familiar blankets or toys inside. Securing the carrier properly in the car and staying calm can also reduce stress for pets.
Many Reddit users shared tips on how to get cats into carriers, including using treats as motivation. One commenter wrote, “Maybe there’s a reason they toss me in that box,” while another said, “Mistakes were made,” reflecting Cowboy’s expression in the photo.
Related topics:
