Pet carriers make owners’ lives much easier and get cats frustrated.
These portable boxes, crates, or cages are ideal for cats in order to transport them safely and comfortably from one place to another.
Most importantly, if you are a traveler, airlines won’t have any problem if you have an airline-approved carrier for your cat.
However, the tricky part is, getting your mischievous cat into that carrier because they will do anything and everything to avoid getting inside it.
Whether it is an airline pet carrier, cat backpack carrier, pet car-seat carrier, Sherpa carrier, Soft-sided pet carrier, or a Purse carrier, there are some ways to lure your troublemaker into one of them.
Keep these following tips in mind the next time you get your cat into a carrier and make sure they don’t use their claws or teeth to get back at you.
How to get your cat inside a carrier?
- Put a towel inside the carrier since your cat will urinate because of the frustration.
- The best cat carrier will be a Front- or top-loading hard-sided carrier if you’re a beginner. If the carrier you chose is a front loading one, then keep the carrier on its door facing upwards. Let the carrier lean against a wall to prevent it from falling.
- Pick up your cat placing one of your arms on its back end and the other hand holding its chest. Hold its back legs with your hand and keep its hind end against your chest.
- Now the cat is facing away from your body. If the cat is a tough cookie then wrap it up with a towel when you pick it up.
- Lower the cat with her hind end into the carrier. This way it won’t feel like you’re trying to contain it. If the cat still struggles, give it time before the second attempt.
- After closing the door, secure the latch, and reposition the carrier. If your kitty didn’t struggle, bite or scratch give it a treat.
Should you cover a cat carrier? Absolutely yes!
Use a towel or a pillowcase to cover the carrier because this gives a snugly and safe feeling to your fluff ball.
Not to mention, covering the carrier will also prevent the cat from seeing that your vehicle is moving. This way your cat will feel like it’s still at home and won’t panic.
However, do not cover the carrier if it’s too hot!
How to make your cat feel safe to get into a carrier?
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It’s always wise to train your cat when it's little because kittens can adapt more easily than a mature cat. If you have a mature cat, the process will take longer. If you want your cat to travel with you, start the process a few weeks before the actual departure.
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If you take the carrier out seldom, your cat will sense the pattern. It will freak out every time you take the carrier out because it knows you’re trying to get it inside the carrier and take it to the vet or somewhere it doesn’t like to go. If this happens, you might not reach your cat hiding under the bed.
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Leave the carrier door open to make the cat explore the inside of the carrier whenever it pleases and get out. Place the carrier where your cat stays often so it won’t fear the carrier.
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Make the carrier comfortable and familiar to your cat by placing its favorite towel or the toys inside. Spraying cat pheromones (available in pet stores), inside the carrier is ideal too.
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Feed your cat while it’s inside the carrier. Move the bowl gradually closer to the carrier each time you feed it, so the cat won’t be suspicious. Don’t watch it eating either.
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When your cat is inside the carrier, try partially closing and opening the gate after a while to make it feel it’s okay to close the gate.
The bottom line
Never force your cats into a carrier because they are cats, and they will hate you for it. Thus, follow the above-mentioned steps carefully, and you’ll see your cat treats the carrier as its home in the long run.
Cover Photo of Photo by Oleg Danylenko on Unsplash
All other photos are our amazing products in our store.
References
- https://yourdogadvisor.com/pomeranian-carrier/
- https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/routine-care/getting-a-cat-in-her-carrier
- https://www.wikihow.pet/Get-a-Cat-Into-a-Pet-Carrier
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet_carrier
- https://ezinearticles.com/?Important-Benefits-of-a-Pet-Carrier&id=5554216