The colder months are rolling in, which means that cats everywhere will soon be looking for warm, dry places to stay when they’re outdoors. Unfortunately, cars are often prime targets.
There have already been reports of cats climbing into engines this year. Back in June The Telegraph reported that a kitten had survived a 300-mile journey in a car’s bumper, at the beginning of September the BBC reported that a cat had survived a 60-mile trip under a van’s bonnet and, very recently, Lookers wrote about a customer who had found a cat in his engine.
Of course, this isn’t the first time something like this has happened, and it’s unlikely to be the last. But, there are a number of precautions you can take to stop your car from being involved in a similar catastrophe. Here are our tips.
Provide an alternative source of shelter
Cats are only going to climb into a car engine if it seems like their best option, so creating a more inviting place for them to sleep outdoors could save you a lot of problems. A carrier or box that is lined with a towel or blanket is a great alternative and will be even more tempting if a bowl of food is placed nearby. It’s also quite common for people to install a cat flaps in their sheds, so their cats have somewhere to go when they aren’t home.
By creating a distraction, you’re likely to find that your cats — or those in your neighbourhood —won’t even give your car a second glance.
Give potential stowaways a warning
Cats can sit and sleep quite safely in a car’s engine while it’s switched off, but the problems begin when it starts up. To give cats who might be inside a nudge, knock on your car’s bonnet before you get in to your car. Also, before you turn on the engine, beep your car’s horn. Be sure to then leave enough time for any potential stowaways to escape.
By giving a couple of warnings, you’ll be a lot less likely to take a cat for a ride with you.
Use cat repellent
If you’re consistently having to deal with cats crawling into your car’s engine, using a suitable repellent should help. You can buy a range of cat repellent sprays and pellets, but we would always recommend making your own to ensure that it’s safe.
Mixing essential oils with water is a particularly popular choice, as it’s effective and very easy to do. Cats find many essential oils unpleasant, including lavender, peppermint and orange. In a spray bottle, mix one part of any of these essential oils with three parts water, then give it a good shake. Frequently spray this concoction around your parking area to deter cats from getting anywhere near your car in the future.
It is quite common for cats and kittens to crawl into car engines in search of heat and shelter during the colder months. However, if this happens without you noticing, it could end in tragedy. So, follow and share our tips to keep the cats in your neighbourhood safe.
This isn’t a big problem where I live because it doesn’t get that cold; however, that said, when it is cold, neither humans nor cats are prepared. It is at times like this where a cat just might take refuge in a car engine. Thanks for the tips!
You are welcome!
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Make sure your car isn’t meowing
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Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Great advice. I’ve never had this experience, but I’d never forgive myself if I hurt a cat.
Important tips that we all should share 😮
Very good advices! But I am living in a big city, cars everywhere.
Ciao
Sid
Have you thought about a harness training course? 😮
One of my friends takes her two cats out only on a harness with lead. 🙂
Mission impossible! My four kats hate the harness, trainings failed miserably after weeks of struggles with the “beast” 🙁
Ciao
Sid
It’s all about slow training approaches. Or friend from international cat care was involved in writing a whole book on how to train cats effectively 🙂
A book? A guide how to do it? Very interesting 🙂
Ciao
Sid
Yep. It’s called the trainable cat 🙂 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trainable-Cat-Practical-Making-Happier/dp/0465050905
A friend of mine learned a hard lesson. One morning he went out and started his truck. A mama kitten had given birth during the night…on the engine of his truck. He saves only two of the kittens. It was so sad. I keep my car in the garage so no kittens can get in there.
Oh that is so sad 🙁
i unfortunately had one of those…anyway, I thank you for the “follow.” I shall endeavor to inform and amuse…and, above all, always try to be interesting. continue…
Oh no! So sorry to hear you had one of those. 🙁
Hope you are enjoying our blog 🙂
Wonderful thank you!!
Thanks 🙂