How To Pick Up A Cat And Put It In A Carrier

How To Get Your Cat Into a Pet Carrier

Everyone thinks cats simply hate carriers… but that's non true; we taught them to hate carriers. Imagine growing up in a household where your family unit had two station wagons: a red 1 and a light-green ane. The ruby one was used nearly exclusively, except for visits to the dentist, which were handled by the light-green one. And at present, twenty or more years later, is it any surprise that you lot might take an "irrational" fear of greenish station wagons? Not at all. Such is the ability of negative clan, and this is precisely why cats tend to disdain carriers: every time they get in them, it's to go some place they don't want to go!

Here's an piece of cake, step-by-pace process that will give your cat a positive new association to the carrier:

Step 1 – Turn the Carrier into a "Den"

Our first footstep in making the carrier a more than appealing identify for your cat to exist is to simply not make it look like a carrier; ultimately, the carrier should be a destination. Equally previously discussed, base camp is a divers area of your home that is the middle of a cat's territory. Think of turning the carrier into a "portable base camp" by taking the height off and placing ane of their favorite beds inside. (Donut beds are perfect for this.) Or consider using ane of your sweatshirts every bit bedding (your scent will always be a source of condolement to them), and also including any of their favorite aroma soakers—soft items that absorb your true cat'due south scent.

Step 2 – Identify in Social Expanse

Identify the carrier in a social surface area where your cat already feels comfortable. (Near the couch, your bed, etc.) This will deepen the positive clan with the carrier.

Footstep 3 – Provide their Jackpot Treat

Now, let's have the true cat treat that is e'er the winner in your house—I call information technology the "jackpot treat"—and give it to them while they're in the carrier. In fact, only give them their jackpot treats when they're in the carrier. This is the way to make this a daily ritual and so they equate the carrier to their favorite treats.

Step iv – Add the Lid Dorsum On

One time you've established the carrier every bit your cat's new "dwelling house within the abode," information technology'south time to put the pinnacle back on. Just make sure you exercise it when they're not around. And do continue with your jackpot treats ritual.

Step v – Add together the Door Dorsum On

Equally 1 of our final steps, nosotros demand to get the door dorsum on the carrier. Merely this tin be problematic because the audio of the door opening or closing tin be a existent trigger for cats. So I would advise taping the door open initially then it doesn't swing dorsum and forth. Somewhen, perhaps when you lot've given them their jackpot treats, endeavor closing the door for a few minutes, but then opening information technology over again. This volition get them used to the idea that it's no big deal if the door closes.

A Final Footstep: The Pick Up/Put Downwards

One time you go to the point where you tin actually have your cat in the carrier with the door closed, endeavour picking up the carrier, then putting it dorsum down, before opening the door again. This is all part of replicating the conditions your cat will experience when it's time for that vet visit. What we're trying to become to is a identify where every time the true cat goes into the carrier, it isn't the dreaded "green station wagon" syndrome. In fact, ninety-nine times when they get in, the door closes, and everything remains predictable. But but one time out of a hundred volition they go in for an actual vet visit. These are odds that your cat can manage merely fine.

Furthermore, in emergency situations (like earthquakes, for example), don't exist surprised if your true cat chooses to go into their new condom haven of the cat carrier for added security. And past keeping the carrier in a socially pregnant surface area, this gives you immediate access to information technology, rather than you having to comb through closets trying to find it. (Just brand certain that, for multi-true cat households, you are working with a i-carrier-per-cat ratio.)

I really want the carrier to be a safety and desirable place for your cat and then you can get them to the vet without undue drama, travel safely with them, and requite them a portable base military camp: a safe place to go whenever they experience stressed.

As ever, this is a very basic overview of a sometimes very complicated process. To go the full skinny on all things carriers—as well as everything else about your cat—check out my latest book, Total Cat Mojo .