Cats & Cat Carriers

Whether it’s across town or across the country, transporting a cat is a stressful experience. For the cat and for their human. While it’s unlikely that you can eliminate all anxiety associated with travel, there are steps you can take to at least minimize the anxiety of the cat carrier. Here are some tips that can turn kitty cat travel from traumatic to tolerable.

Start early 

It’s best to introduce your cat to their carrier when they are young, but, regardless of age, your cat can learn to tolerate it better. Don’t store it in a garage, attic or closet, pulling it out only on the day of travel. This only makes your cat associate the carrier with the stress of travel.

It’s a comfy cave not a cage

You associate the carrier with travel, but your pet doesn’t have to. Help your cat come to view the carrier as simply another place to hang out in their home. Leave it out and open in a room where the cat tends to go to relax. Even if they show no interest and never enter the carrier, leave it out anyway. At least it will be familiar to them as only a piece of furniture.

Treats work!

Place your cat’s favorite toy, familiar bedding and treats in the carrier to encourage them to go into the carrier and associate doing so with pleasure. A sprinkle of catnip can’t hurt!

The day of travel

Let’s face it, your cat won’t be conveniently resting in their carrier at the time you’re ready to hit the road, and they certainly aren’t going in on their own, even if you ask nicely. Here are some tricks of the trade for minimizing the stress - for both of you.

• Spray the bedding with a pheromone spray for cats. This can be purchased from your local pet store (we recommend Feliway!). Cover the carrier with a towel. The pheromones may help your cat relax and the covering reduces sensory input that can lead to stress.

• You will likely have to physically place them in the carrier. Allow plenty of time, so you can go slowly. Get a helper if you know your cat will be wiggly. If you think your cat will resist or you're worried about being scratched, wrap your cat with a towel first. 

• Gently hold and guide your pet into their carrier, head first. Go slowly. Cats don’t like sudden movements. 

• If you do need to secure the cat by holding the back of their neck (the “scruff”), remember to support the rest of the cat’s body with your other hand.

For more tips on reducing stress and anxiety in your pets, check out FearFreeHappyHomes.