Usi
ng a carrier/crate is the safest way to transport your cat from your home to any other location. Unfortunately most cats see their carrier infrequently and when they do see it, it often means a trip to the veterinarian where they may be restrained, poked and prodded. As a result, many cats see the carrier as a predictor of bad times so it’s very appearance triggers their anxiety. This often makes it difficult to get them in the crate, resulting in a struggle and even higher anxiety. When you do get where you are going the cat may be difficult to handle because they are so frightened.
We suggest frequent exposure to the carrier when your cat is still a kitten. Remove the door from the carrier and set it on the floor somewhere the cat can access it. Do not try to coax the cat into the carrier, let them explore it if and when they are ready. Cats are naturally curious and most of them love to crawl into things. Just put an empty box on the floor sometime and see what happens.
To make the carrier even more rewarding, put a small dish with a tablespoon of your cat’s favorite canned food at the back of the carrier. Now getting in the crate will be very rewarding.
A week or so before your scheduled trip put the door back on the carrier but still leave it someplace where your cat can access it if they wish. Two days before your planned trip put some canned food or your cats favorite treat in the carrier at least once a day. Continue this for two days after your cat comes home in the carrier.
You can use the same approach described above with a cat that already finds its carrier to be aversive. Just be patient as it will probably take much longer for your cat to start to see the carrier as safe. If you make no progress at all, you may want to try getting a different carrier.
