One major reason we hear for why kitties don’t get as many checkups throughout their lives is that the sight of the carrier makes cats run for the hills and disappear better than any magician. Many kitties are scared because their only experiences with the carrier involve trips to the vet. Cats are territorial creatures, and being placed in a small crate and taken far from the familiar smells and places they know can be incredibly stressful for them. For many, the carrier is a strange, small box that takes them to a place full of unfamiliar noises and scents, which is especially stressful for animals so in tune with routine. However, regular checkups are crucial for keeping them healthy. In an emergency, the last thing you want to do is struggle to get your furry friend into the carrier. So how do we fix this association? What can we do to help kitties understand that the carrier isn’t the worst thing in the world?
One of the first steps is to avoid putting the carrier away. With the door or top off, and some comfy blankets or pillows inside, the carrier can become a bed or kitty cave! If the carrier is always out, it will reduce stress when it’s time to get kitty inside and close the door. There won’t be any anticipation or fear of being put into it because the carrier will be a normal part of their daily life. Having blankets and pillows in it will also allow them to travel with familiar items that smell like home, making the carrier more of a safe haven away from home rather than a scary transport device.
Once they’re locked in, however, they may still get nervous, leading to yowling, car sickness, and high anxiety about leaving their territory. Cats are creatures of routine, so much so that change can be more stressful than the trip itself. There are a few ways you can help your kitty get used to car rides in the carrier:
“Happy” trips. These are short drives that either don’t lead anywhere or go somewhere your cat might enjoy. This helps them learn that not every trip in the carrier means being poked and examined. (Hint: Treats can go a long way in making the experience positive!)
As mentioned above, keeping items from home in the carrier can help them feel more secure by surrounding them with familiar smells.
Feliway is an amazing product that mimics calming pheromones to help kitties stay calm. It’s available in different forms, including wipes and diffusers. Using a diffuser near where you keep the carrier and spraying the carrier before a trip can further help keep them calm during travel.
For stressed kitties, placing a towel or blanket over the carrier can make it darker, smell more familiar, and prevent them from seeing out, which can be beneficial for cats on the go.
Another important aspect to consider is the kind of carrier you have. Traditional cat carriers are often too small for most cats. Ideally, your cat should be able to turn around in their carrier. Some cats may prefer soft carriers over hard ones, as soft carriers tend to hold familiar smells and usually have more openings for them to see out of. A new trend, cat backpacks, can work well for kitties that want to see where they’re going, and they are often less bulky than traditional carriers. If you plan to travel by plane with your furry friend, make sure the carrier is airline-approved.
The carrier doesn’t have to be a source of stress that hurts your bond with your buddy; it’s a tool for safely getting them out of the house for vet visits or emergencies. Many cats love routine and familiarity, and the carrier signals that both of those are being disrupted. By making the carrier part of your cat’s daily life, the battle to get them inside will shift much more in your favor.