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AUGUST NEWSLETTER
Carrier Habituation for Cats
Krista Albers-Smith, LVT
Every pet owner knows the difficulties of getting a cat into a carrier. Even the best of us have undoubtedly had a moment where we have realized we are going to miss an appointment because our cat is being uncooperative. Here are five tips to help your cat acclimate to a carrier.
- Do not hide it away. Cats will quickly learn that when the carrier comes out, they need to run. Instead, keep your carrier out when they can see it all times. You can use it as a cat bed, give your cats treats in it, or use it to keep their favorite toys in. It does not have to be the centerpiece of a room; it just needs to be somewhere your cat can interact with it whenever they want, on their own terms.
- Have the right size carrier. Your cat should be able to stand up and turn around in the carrier. Too small of a carrier will cause your cat stress and they will not like being in it.
- Rigid plastic carriers with a removable top are the best options. You can put a nice blanket in the bottom to prevent slipping, and when they are in the clinic, we can take the top off to limit the stress getting them out of the carrier.
- Pheromones are your friend. Cats naturally produce pheromones to calm themselves. Pheromone sprays like Feliway can be used on the blanket in the carrier to help reduce your feline friend’s stress. We recommend using the spray every other day for at least seven days leading up to your appointment.
- Be patient. Your cat will not suddenly love the carrier; giving them time, space, and encouragement to adjust at their own pace will help make the carrier less scary. As your cat acclimates and is willing to eat treats in it without issue, slowly start closing the door until you can close it all the way. Then work towards picking up the carrier to introduce them to movement (do not swing the carrier). If at any point they show signs of stress, go back a step, and give them more time to adjust.
Habituating your cat to their carrier will help make trips to the clinic easier for both of you. In emergency situations it will also ensure your cat will not hide from you when you are trying to get them in the carrier. If you have any questions, our staff would be happy to discuss strategies with you!
