Last month, we discussed how to choose the right cat carrier for your cat, this month we talk about how to get your cat used to the cat carrier.
Whether you’re taking your cat to the vet for a check-up or venturing on a longer trip, the thought of getting out the cat carrier probably makes your heart sink, and you may even have the scars that tell the tale of previous attempts!
However, it is possible to work with your cat to take away some of the negative associations he has with the cat carrier, so try these steps and hopefully we can ensure that the hissing, growling and clawed attacks become a thing of the past.
Familiarisation
Leave the carrier out in a socially significant area and somewhere that he spends a lot of time, and let him get used to the scent and sight of the carrier at his own pace. You may need to leave the carrier in the corner of the room for a few days.
Encourage investigation
Leave the door open (and the top off if it’s the type of carrier that comes in two parts), and add a favourite blanket or towel, or something else with your cat’s scent on it that will entice him to go inside. This will make the cat carrier much less scary although he may not venture too close initially.
Tempt with treats
If your cat is motivated by food, place a few treats outside the carrier, inching closer and closer over a few days as your cat continues to get more comfortable with being around the cat carrier. Eventually you can start to place treats inside the carrier, or feed him a meal in there.
Close the carrier door
Once your cat is comfortable moving in and out of the cat carrier, you can put the top back on, and start shutting the door when he’s inside. Start slowly, by counting to 5 seconds then open the door again. Do this a few times, to get your cat used to it, gradually leaving the door closed for longer periods of time.
Pick the carrier up and walk
Once your cat is calm and relaxed inside the carrier, start picking it up, walk a few steps and then place the carrier down again. You’ll eventually progress to carrying him for short distances around the house. Try to keep your walk and the way that you carry the cat carrier as smooth as possible. Talking soothingly to your cat can help if the motion makes him a little anxious.
Into the car
Now it’s time to get your cat into the car. If your garage is attached to your house this is relatively easy. Start with placing the carrier in your parked car, belted into position for safety. You don’t need to turn the engine on at this stage. If your car is parked in the driveway, on the street, or a distance from the house; and especially if your cat is an indoor cat you’ll gradually need to get him used to the outside world from inside the carrier – with all the new sounds and smells that come with the great outdoors. When you cat is comfortable sitting inside the carrier, inside the car it’s time for the last step.
Ready to go!
Turn the engine on and start driving. Start with short drives around the block to make sure your cat is comfortable with the car’s movement and sensation of being driven. Keep the windows wound up, and avoid loud music to minimise additional noise. You can gradually increase the distance you travel until you’re happy with your cat’s confidence in the car and are ready to embark on longer trips, including the vet clinic.
Your cat may never be fully happy getting in and travelling in the carrier, but if you’ve followed these steps then you should be able to avoid the tantrums, biting and scratching that some people suffer each time they try to get their cat into the carrier.
How does your cat react to the cat carrier? Is your cat comfortable or do you have a fight on your hands when the carrier comes out?
Images: Carbon Arc / Byron Chin / PJ Morse /Andrew Kuchling via Flickr
Great tips! Carmine is really easy to get into his carrier, but Lita puts up a fight usually.
Very good post and such a nice step by step way to get kitties ready for carriers without stress. See you soon in Nashville!
Awesome tips! I have 4 cats, one of them loves the carrier, the others – um, not so much. I’m going to bring the carrier into the LR where they all hang out and use your tips to get the other 3 on board. Thanks for the helpful post – and I love the pictures too! 🙂
Not surprising but the process of getting a cat used to a carrier is pretty much the same for a dog. Although my getting Chester and Gretel to get used to the crate was more luck and the right conditions, proper training is the way to go. No one wants to think of the worst but imagine if there was a natural disaster. It would be much easier to transport, and keep track of, a pet in a crate. You may never know when you will need to use a crate but it’s much more pleasant for the animal and owner if you pet doesn’t freak out in one.
My youngest (17 months) LOVES the carrier. He loves to go places and will get right in the carrier and won’t get out when we get home. My two girls never want to get in there. The oldest one always has to pee in there before we’ve gone too far down the road.
I used to have a cat the loved his carrier, but he recently passed. My others don’t seem to care until we are in the car. Then when in the clinic they come out to investigate then go back in lol.
My cats don’t like the carriers, but do feel safe in them when they travel. They just complain a good chunk of the way. Great tips to help increase their comfort!
Purrfect! These 7 steps are all you need to get a cat or a dog used to a carrier or crate.
So funny that I’m reading this one night before I take my new kitten to the vet for the first time, and my older cat for the umpteenth time. My older cat, Boo, HATES the cat carrier, and I have tried all these tips many times. He’s just too smart — as soon as he sees the carrier come out, he freaks out. So now I have to put him in his walking harness with the leash, put the carrier on its side, and dangle him by the harness over the carrier to lower him into it. What a major production! The kitten, Misha, LOVES the carrier, but that will probably all change once she goes to the vet tomorrow.
Thanks for the tips! I’ve never had my cat is a carrier before, but this will come in handy some day! I usually put him on a leash when we go to the vet. 🙂
I have seen a number of cats enjoying their carriers and also pet strollers. I’m sure that your tips will make the training go much smoother.
Excellent advice! I have to start working on this more with my cats. They are not all that happy about leaving the apartment.
These are great ideas! They work for dogs too. We used a similar routine for getting Luna used to our bicycle trailer.
Great post it is important to get kitties used of their carriers. Most of mine are good about getting in the carrier, I have a couple that get so upset on the ride that they mess in the carrier which is not fun.
This is great info.. Cats can be hard to get them to go in crate…
My human tosses us in the carrier like it is no big deal, and when it comes to Binga and Boodie, she usually does it when they are napping! She’s actually pretty lucky none of us get really upset and mad about it.
Anything to make vet trips easier is bonus. My #1 tip is the spray the top bottom and sides with Feliway. I’m curious if you have a different designs of carriers not seen in the U.S.?