A nervous cat will feel more secure in an enclosed space and could be a serious hazard loose in the car. Some cats also vomit when transported by car, either from motion sickness or, more likely, sheer nerves. Cleanup is much less arduous if the mess is confined to a carrier, and a hard plastic one with removable bedding is the easiest to clean. You can also find soft carriers, which look like duffel bags with ventilation. They’re really designed for air travel in the cabin and don’t afford any protection other than control in an accident. A kitty seatbelt—a harness arrangement that fastens to the car’s seatbelt—is a reasonably good alternative to a carrier for some cats; although, again, it won’t provide much protection. Most cats prefer the security of a carrier.
