Soothing Feline Fears
Do you dread taking your cat to the veterinarian? Does your cat vanish the minute you remove the carrier fro the closet? After wrestling your cat into the carrier, does she wail like a banshee all the way to the veterinarian? It doesn't have to be this way.
The Cat-Friendly Carrier
For many cats, the first step is choosing a carrier that's comfortable for the cat. Your cat may prefer a soft-sided carrier or a hard plastic carrier. If you already own one type of carrier and you cat has developed an extreme fear of it, it can help to buy a different type of carrier. Veterinarians often prefer carriers with entry ways at the top and at one end or both ends, since they allow easy access to the cat. The veterinarian can remove parts of the carrier and examine the cat. This translates into a more comfortable experience, because the cat can stay within the perceived safety of the carrier.
You may add comfortable bedding to the carrier with the cat's or your familiar scent on it. Some cats prefer lots of bedding to tunnel into. If your cat enjoys catnip, try sprinkling some in the carrier. You can also spray a synthetic feline facial pheromone into the carrier occasionally, and about 15 minutes before placing your cat in the carrier, to relieve anxiety. Next, place the carrier in an appealing area. This may be somewhere quiet. or it may be near the living area if your cat likes to keep close to you. Then avoid bothering the cat when it's resting in it's carrier so it perceives the carrier as a pleasant place. Cats like to rest in elevated areas, so placing the carrier on a high perch may make him more likely to use it.
Go For A Ride
Start by being certain that your cat has learned to love the carrier. You should never need to force your cat into the carrier. Once your cat will readily enter the carrier and seems unconcerned when you close the door, take the cat to the car, feed her treats, and bring her back inside. After a few times, leave the cat in the car for 1 to 3 minutes with her favorite treat, then bring her back inside. Repeat the procedure often, never leaving her so long she voices displeasure. If at any point, the cat refuses the treat, she's been left too long; go back to the point at which she would last eat the treat and repeat that step several times before increasing the time in the car.
As long as your cat will eat in the car, she's relaxed. Move to the next step, start the car for a few seconds, turning it off, and returning the cat inside. Repeat the procedure, slowly increasing the time until you can leave the car running for 3 to 5 minutes without distressing your cat. When you've started teh car and left it running several time, your cat is ready for a short drive. Once she tolerates short rides, take your cat regularly for brief drive=through errands, such as dropping mail n a post box. Just remember, temperatures in a car can reach extremes rapidly, so don't leave your cat alone in the car. Provide a few treats for the ride if your cat doesn't get car sick, and reward her with attention. Once your cat's comfortable with car travel, a trip to the veterinarian shouldn't be so upsetting. Just continue occasional trips that don't end at the veterinarian.
The Cat-Friendly Carrier
For many cats, the first step is choosing a carrier that's comfortable for the cat. Your cat may prefer a soft-sided carrier or a hard plastic carrier. If you already own one type of carrier and you cat has developed an extreme fear of it, it can help to buy a different type of carrier. Veterinarians often prefer carriers with entry ways at the top and at one end or both ends, since they allow easy access to the cat. The veterinarian can remove parts of the carrier and examine the cat. This translates into a more comfortable experience, because the cat can stay within the perceived safety of the carrier.
You may add comfortable bedding to the carrier with the cat's or your familiar scent on it. Some cats prefer lots of bedding to tunnel into. If your cat enjoys catnip, try sprinkling some in the carrier. You can also spray a synthetic feline facial pheromone into the carrier occasionally, and about 15 minutes before placing your cat in the carrier, to relieve anxiety. Next, place the carrier in an appealing area. This may be somewhere quiet. or it may be near the living area if your cat likes to keep close to you. Then avoid bothering the cat when it's resting in it's carrier so it perceives the carrier as a pleasant place. Cats like to rest in elevated areas, so placing the carrier on a high perch may make him more likely to use it.
Go For A Ride
Start by being certain that your cat has learned to love the carrier. You should never need to force your cat into the carrier. Once your cat will readily enter the carrier and seems unconcerned when you close the door, take the cat to the car, feed her treats, and bring her back inside. After a few times, leave the cat in the car for 1 to 3 minutes with her favorite treat, then bring her back inside. Repeat the procedure often, never leaving her so long she voices displeasure. If at any point, the cat refuses the treat, she's been left too long; go back to the point at which she would last eat the treat and repeat that step several times before increasing the time in the car.
As long as your cat will eat in the car, she's relaxed. Move to the next step, start the car for a few seconds, turning it off, and returning the cat inside. Repeat the procedure, slowly increasing the time until you can leave the car running for 3 to 5 minutes without distressing your cat. When you've started teh car and left it running several time, your cat is ready for a short drive. Once she tolerates short rides, take your cat regularly for brief drive=through errands, such as dropping mail n a post box. Just remember, temperatures in a car can reach extremes rapidly, so don't leave your cat alone in the car. Provide a few treats for the ride if your cat doesn't get car sick, and reward her with attention. Once your cat's comfortable with car travel, a trip to the veterinarian shouldn't be so upsetting. Just continue occasional trips that don't end at the veterinarian.
