Even if you never plan on taking your cat anywhere, you should have a carrier on hand. In an emergency, such as having to evacuate your home during a fire or severe weather, you don't want to try holding a panicked cat in your arms.
Traveling by car is also safer with the cat in a carrier. A cat roaming around the car's interior can put you at risk for an accident.
That said, I realize it isn't so easy for many owners to get the cat into the carrier.
Much of kitty's reluctance may come from the fact that the only time he sees the carrier come out of the closet is for that much-hated trip to the veterinarian.
But there are some ways to help your cat learn to like the carrier ... or at least not hate it quite so much.
- Desensitize your cat to the carrier by leaving it out all the time. Use a kennel-style plastic carrier, leave the door open, and place a folded towel inside. Leave the carrier out for use as an extra napping place for kitty.
- Casually place a treat near the carrier a couple of times a day. Gradually place the treats closer in subsequent sessions. Eventually, work up to placing the treat on the lip of the carrier's entrance.
- Leave the carrier door open and place a small dish of food in the back.
- Use a fishing-pole toy and conduct play sessions around the carrier.
- When kitty is comfortable going in the carrier, close the door, pick the carrier up and walk around the room. Immediately reward your cat.
- With your cat in the carrier, take a car ride around the block.
- Spray Feliway in the inside corners of the carrier about twenty minutes before placing your cat inside.
For more tips on helping your cat adjust to travel, pre-order my new book, Starting from Scratch, today.
