Does your cat get stressed when it comes to getting in their carrier? Cats typically associate carriers with one specific event: a trip to the vet.
Here are tips and advice on how to ease that stress:
Firstly it’s important to have the right carrier
Ideally, your carrier will come apart, with the top half able to be removed from the bottom. The advantage of using this type of carrier is that if your cat is nervous, you can unclip the top half of the carrier and either lift the cat out gently or allow the vet to examine them while they remain in the bottom half.
This makes it easier and less stressful for both you and your cat – attempting to hold and pull your cat through the entrance is likely to be scary for them, and they may become defensive
Carrier size, make sure you have the right size carrier for your cat so they have the space they need to turn around inside.
Familiarising your cat with a carrier
If your cat has been scared or nervous during previous carrier trips, they may have released stress hormones. To start fresh, clean the carrier with a biological cleaner before rinsing and allowing it to air dry. This will remove any lingering scents, helping you begin the training process on the right foot. Be sure to repeat this after each vet visit to eliminate any unfamiliar smells.
- Set up the carrier with the lid off in your cat’s favourite room where they like to relax
- Spray with a pheromone spray, like Pet Remedy (more information on Pet Remedy at the bottom of this page)
- Put their favourite blanket into the base, this makes it comfortable for them as well as stops them from sliding
- Put some treats in the carrier every day until your cat is happy and comfortable going into the carrier by themselves
- Place the top of the carrier on (making sure your cat is not in the bottom half when you do so) and repeat the above steps. Leave the door open at all times.
- Once your cat is happy and comftable being in the carrier with the top on, you can begin shutting the door for a few seconds at a time, rewarding your cat for calm behaviour. Increase this time daily until your cat can be in the carrier with the door closed for a few minutes.
- Begin lifting the carrier and moving around the room in short bursts. Take your time and watch your cat carefully for any signs of stress.
- When taking your cat out in their carrier we recommend covering the carrier with a towel or blanket, this can help cats feel calmer and more secure by reducing sensory input and creating a sense of safety and familiarity.
Even after this training and vet trip has gone well we recommend placing a blanket over the carrier with a comfortable blanket inside setting it up in an area where your cat often spends time.
By leaving the carrier out as an additional resting spot for your cat, you can prevent this negative association from forming, which should help reduce their anxiety and stress before a vet visit. Additionally, having the carrier smell familiar will make your cat feel safer when they are taken away from home.
How to put your cat in a carrier
There are two techniques to putting your cat in a carrier; head first and bottom first. Firstly, make sure the carrier is lined with a familiar non-slip blanket, this is important as your cat will want to feel stable and safe.
For the head-first technique, make sure your carrier is set up ready to go, with the door open.
- Place one hand on their chest, behind their front legs and the other hand supporting their bottom
- Slowly, but confidently, place their head in, with the hand on their bottom gently pushing them forward into the carrier, then close the door behind them
The bottom-first technique is great if you have a friendly cat that tends to put the breaks on when going into the carrier!
- Set up your carrier on a low angle, facing upwards, around two to three inches off the floor, with the door open. You can prop this up on something like a large book.
- Once you’ve picked up your cat, lower yourself down and, holding onto their bum with one hand and their chest, behind their front legs, with the other, lower them into the carrier, bottom first. Then close the door behind them.
Before picking up your cat in the carrier, make sure that the door is securely locked and place a blanket or a towel over the carrier so that your cat feels safe.
What is Pet Remedy?
Pet Remedy is a natural, essential oil-based product designed to help calm stressed or anxious pets by working with their natural calming mechanisms, specifically mimicking GABA, a natural calming agent.
They have a wide range of products like plug diffusers, calming Spray and Calming Wipes. You can buy these products in our shops
