Cats are not exactly crazy about going inside carriers and it can become a stressful experience for your furry friend. Cats often associate being in a cat carrier with unpleasant experiences such as going for a vet visit, to the groomer or just simply being in a confined space. However, a carrier is the best way to transport your cat, especially if your fur baby is easily unnerved by new environments. Having your cat lose in the car for example can be dangerous and may cause road accidents.
Keeping your cat safe and protected inside a carrier prevents unsuspected situations from happening. Here are some tips and a simple step process on how to introduce your cat to a carrier. Carrier training takes patience and empathy, so make sure you don’t rush through the steps. This is especially true if your cat has had a previous bad experience in a cat carrier.
First introduction
Like with most things, it’s best to familiarise your cat with the carrier as soon as possible, before they associate the carrier with veterinary visits or other unpleasantries. This way your kitten will acclimate to the carrier and instead view it as a safe place.
The best way to introduce your cat or kitten to the carrier is to do so before you actually need it to go inside. Just leave it out in your house or in your cat’s favourite spot, maybe with a nice cushion inside, a familiar blanket and a toy. The familiar smell will help your cat feel safe and comfortable and help provide positive associations. You can also use some tasty treats to further incentivise your cat to explore the carrier.
Getting them to go inside
Leave your carrier out for a few days and then proceed to feed your cat some cat treats inside the carrier. When your cat seems calm and is feeding inside the carrier without issues, go ahead and gently close the door for a few minutes at a time. Once the cat is comfortable with the door closed, lift the carrier slowly and walk the cat outside to your vehicle. This procedure should be easier the more times you do it. Remember, when walking with the carrier you should always take slow steady steps to not disturb your cat unnecessarily. Don’t forget to give your cat more treats once back into the house and out of the carrier.
Travelling with the carrier
Carrying on from the above step, now that your cat is used to being carried inside the carrier, it’s time to take a drive. Start with just placing the carrier on the seat with the seat belt in place and without turning the engine on.
When you return home scatter treats as you open the carrier door. You could then try taking your cat to the veterinary clinic, walking into the reception and out again, then going home and repeating the treat-scattering process. You can then continue this process every few days until the cat is showing no signs of stress when in the carrier and the car. Don’t forget to provide your cat with its favourite treats after or favourite food each time.
Choosing the ideal cat carrier
Following the above steps will help get your cat used to travelling in a carrier. However, one of the most important pieces in the puzzle is to get the right carrier for your cat. Although we could easily write a standalone post about what type of carrier to choose (maybe we will), here are some great tips to follow:
- The carrier should be easy to use and not cause stress on the cat or handler
- The carrier should be the appropriate size for your cat
- The carrier should be well ventilated
- The carrier should have multiple entry points (back, front and top)
Also read: Tips On How To Board Your Cat
Board Your Pet at Alida’s Pet Resort
Whether you’re going on a long holiday or a weekend getaway, bring your dog or cat to a pet boarding facility and you can rest well on your trip knowing that your pet is in excellent condition.
For more information on what a pet boarding facility can offer and how it can provide your dog or cat with a safe home away from home, call the experts at Alida’s Pet Resort on 07 5546 2275. We are a boarding kennel renowned for our superior care of dogs and cats located in Alberton, halfway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. You can view our daily rates here.
Contact Alida’s Pet Resort at 07 5546 2275 to learn more about the services we provide or book your pets for boarding.