Every cat parent knows that their kitty prefers being at home on the sofa or in their peaceful spot, or even wandering around your neighborhood than going on a trip in a vehicle in a cat carrier to the vet or anywhere else, outside of her comfortable, peaceful zone.
When taking your cat out, using a carrier will help keep your cat safe and protected, it will prevent her from getting away if something catches her attention or she panics, also if you are driving, it will help stop her from moving around the car and causing distraction.
But here is the problem, your cat doesn’t like getting inside their carrier, maybe because the only times you bring that carrier is when you‘re heading to the vet’s clinic when your cat is sick. So it’s not really surprising that your cat doesn’t like their carrier. Pet Barn will guide how to get your cat used to a pet carrier easily with some amazing tips to make it a cat-friendly place.
Why Does Your Cat Need to Love Their Carrier
The first thing about the carrier is that it is the best and most safe way to transport and take your cat to places you want them to go with you or a visit to the veterinarian’s office that your cat urgently needs. Sadly those vet visits are the main reason why your cat hates the carrier. But by teaching your cat that the carrier doesn’t have to be a scary place, not only you are making your life easier but also you are ensuring a lifetime safety tool to carry your cat preventing her from getting away because even the calmest and sweetest cat can suddenly be in strange situations like if your cat suddenly sees a dog and get scared. Cat carriers are also safe in the car, to prevent any distraction while you are driving.
Keep the Carrier In Their Reach
Placing the carrier in a location where your cat can explore it and be familiar with it, is a very smart technique to make the carrier part of their environment all the time. Although it’s not recommended to put the carrier near your cat’s food or litter box.
You can start by putting the carrier wherever they spend a lot of time in, or near where they sleep.
And just like that by putting the carrier out, your cat will come to explore it out of curiosity just like another piece of furniture.
Try To Form A Positive Association With the Carrier;
Some carriers aren’t comfortable and they don’t offer coziness to your cat. You could place a mat or a soft towel or a pad into the carrier to help reduce stress. This will not only make the carrier more comfortable for your cat but also when you visit the veterinarian, you could lift out the mat and put it on the vet’s examination table, it will also help the cat feel more secure during the exam.
You could also spray the mat or towel with special catnip oil to help reduce your cat’s stress and make it a more relaxing place, as we all know cats rely on scent, they can know and perceive if something is safe or dangerous. Your scent could also be the perfect safety sensation for your cat, so if you have a shirt that you don’t want anymore, put it in the carrier without washing it.
Start Feeding Your Cat Inside the Carrier;
Food and treats are good associations with your cat, first, start putting food near the carrier so that your cat can come near it and feel safe and happy because her favorite food or treat is there.
Practically, no cat can resist the appeal of its favorite treat or food. This trick is one of the most effective ways according to cat owners to make their cats get used to the carrier by placing food near them inside it.
Put Some Toys in the Carrier;
Keep some of your cat’s favorite toys inside the carrier to make it a more tempting and fun place to be, it will also offer a great association with the carrier.
With this technique, according to many cat owners, putting a toy inside the carrier has made their cat get around, near, and inside it.
Don’t Shut the Carrier Yet;
One of the biggest mistakes pet owners tend to make is to shut the carrier’s door right after their cat gets inside it. Well, maybe you should think again before doing this, your cat will not trust you to enter the carrier again, because she will know that it’s a trap for her to get it!
This is why when your cat gets inside the carrier, keep the carrier’s door open and let her explore the carrier as much as she needs to feel secure and safe before you could close it.
And when you decide that it’s okay to close the carrier’s door, close it for a minute and make sure to stay close so that your cat could still see you and feel your presence, and give him words of encouragement or gaps. Then open the door and treat your cat.
Gradually build up more time so that your cat could get used more and more to staying in the carrier.
Conclusion;
Although it takes a lot of effort and patience to make your furry friend get used to her cat carrier, it will pay off in the end and will be beneficial for both of you.
The cat carrier is very important to your cat for his safety whenever you want to travel or go to the veterinarian, which is why Pet Barn helped you with some amazing tips to reduce the stress of your cat getting inside of her carrier and making it a happy, comfortable place to be in.
