Cats tend to be rather independent creatures and this is something that most of us have come to appreciate about their behavior. At times, however, it can be a real convenience if they give up some of that independence and do something that we want them to do. That is especially the case if we travel with the cat on a frequent basis and tend to need them in a pet carrier. Is it possible to get them to love this convenience?
Most of us are familiar with this type of scenario. We need to put the cat into a container to get them out for the day but they are putting up a strong fight against it. Perhaps it could even be so much of a struggle that we are concerned that the cat is going to either hurt themselves or perhaps even us. If that describes your experience with a pet carrier, there are some things that can be done to lighten the mood and perhaps to even get your feline to love being in a carrier. Here are some suggestions to get you started.
First of all, it is important to introduce the pet carrier to the cat properly. Don’t simply assume that they are going to warm up to it eventually, you need to get them comfortable with it before you need to use it. Rather than trying to force the cat into it at the last minute, take some time to get them accustomed to having it around. Make it part of their daily life.
You can also make the carrier more comfortable for them by adding a blanket or perhaps their favorite toy. Allow them to explore it freely when they are on their own. Keep it open with the treats on the inside and they will eventually go into it without a problem. In addition, they will begin to associate the carrier with something pleasant.
After the cat has started to get into the carrier, begin closing the door with them on the inside. After closing the door, leave the room and come back in after a few minutes. Your cat will stop thinking that the carrier is a trap and they will accept it as a part of their own home.
Finally, it’s time to start carrying the cat in the container here or there. Try doing it to someplace they want to go or perhaps just for a nice ride. After they are comfortable with the carrier enough for this to happen, it is easier to get them inside when it is time to go to the vets office or somewhere else they might not want to go.