Make Your Carrier More Cat Friendly

It's that time again. You hoist the cat carrier out of the closet and set it down on the living room floor. Before you can turn around, your cat races for the nearest bed to squeeze under. Then comes the struggle to drag her out from underneath her hiding place. Next is the yowling and wrestling until you finally squash your cat into the carrier and shut the door with an exhausted sigh of relief.

Isn't there a better way? In most cases, there is.

Prevent Trouble

Problems with the carrier start after the first time you use it to take your cat to the vet or the groomer. Then every time afterwards, as soon as your cat sees the carrier, she associates it with something "terrible." To break that association-or never start it-you must make the carrier seem neutral, just like another piece of furniture in the home.

"Your best bet is to start when the cat is young," says Marie Heffron, owner of Four Paws Grooming center in Manlius, New York. "Leave the carrier where the cat hangs out." He'll sniff it, walk around it and just get used to it being there.

The next step, says Heffron, 'is to leave the carrier open and let your cat go in and out on his own. Put some treats in the carrier, favorite toys or a blanket your cat sleeps on." Who knows? Your cat may actually enjoy the carrier as another place to cuddle up in.

Finally, allow your cat to go inside the carrier, and then close the door. Leave your cat inside and leave the room for about ten minutes. Then go back and let your cat out. This way your cat will get accustomed to the carrier functioning in different ways. Do this a couple times a week to make it part of your cat's routine.

Cat Versus Carrier

Chances are your cat already hates the carrier and there's not much you can do about that. But you may be able to get him into the carrier with a little less trouble. "Remember this," says Heffron. "If you miss getting your cat in the carrier the first time, your second try will only be harder. So try to do it the first time around."

First, focus on securing your cat, then get the carrier. "Wrap your cat in a thick towel," says Heffron, "so your cat can't claw you or grab onto the side of the carrier." After you've got your cat in the towel, then take out the carrier and slip the cat in-towel and all. "Don't worry about the towel," says Heffron. "Your cat will unfold herself from it once she is in the carrier."

When you drive with the carrier, the safer place is probably the back seat. If you put the carrier in the front seat, fasten the seatbelt around it for extra safety. You may find it helps to calmly talk to your cat while she's in the carrier, especially if your feline is in the front with you.

Some cats get sick on their way. "I have one cat who vomits in his carrier every time he comes to my shop get groomed," says Heffron. "But it's not the carrier; he just gets carsick. So we layer the bottom of the carrier with paper towels so it's easier to clean on the way here and back home."

Pick Your Carrier Carefully

How do you choose a cat carrier among all the models they have available these days? First, consider what you will mostly use the carrier for," says Heffron. "If you use it for short trips to the vet or groomer, a plain, basic carrier will do fine. If you plan on taking your cat with you for longer trips, then it's worth spending money on a carrier that is larger and more padded and more comfortable."

Keep in mind that the carrier should not be no more than one and a half times the size of your cat, according to Petsmart.com. You don't want the cat to have so much room that she slides back and forth as you move her. However, there should be enough room for your cat to lie down flat, stand up straight and turn around.

Before you buy the carrier, check to see that there are no sharp parts that could harm your cat. Examine that latches to see that they are secure.

What about looking out of the carrier? "Some cats do fine while watching what's going on outside the carrier," says Heffron. "With others, the less they can see out, the less they will try and get out."

Luxury Carriers

If you're looking for something more spiffy than the usual hard or cardboard carrier for your feline, you have some options to choose from. Check on the Web for these items or a pet supply shop.

Bed/Carrier: This is a combination bed/carrier made from a basket with a pillow in it. Keep it around the house and your cat may make it her favorite lounging spot. When it's time to go on a trip, just put a fitted screen over the basket and your cat is ready to go.

Cat Tote: Your cat will be in fashion inside a carrier which looks and functions like a tote bag. You open the tote at the top, slip your cat in and then carry the tote by straps or handles just like any other bag. The sides are open so your cat can peek out.

Cat Backpacks and Frontpacks: If you have an adventurous cat who likes to accompany you on walks downtown or in the park or on errands, this lightweight carrier style may be just what you both need. You can bring your cat with you and leave your hands free. Some of the packs double as automobile safety devices so you can slip it off your back and into the car.

Source:

This article first appeared in a 2005 issue of CatWatch, a publication of the the University of Cornell School of Veterinary Medicine. For more information on this publication, contact the author.