Carrier Training for Cats

Many times, cats do not get enough veterinary care. One of the reasons for this is the difficulty with getting cats to the vet. Cats don’t like to be crated, and owners don’t like the process of getting their cat to the vet. However it is possible to teach your cat to like their carrier – and t is not as hard as it may sound.  

Here are two great resources:

• Fear Free Happy Homes: Teach Your Cat to Go Into a Carrier Without a Struggle
• International Cat Care: Encouraging Your Cat to be Happy in a Cat Carrier

For cats, Pasado’s recommends a hard crate with both a top and front opening. It should be big enough for your cat to easily turn around in.  

First, how does your cat feel about their crate?  

• I don’t know, they’ve never been in a crate or they don’t care. Go to Plan A. 
• My cat hates their crate. It means the vet in my future! Go to Plan B. 

Plan A

Go at the cat’s pace. Follow a slow and incremental plan. Your goal is for the cat to enjoy (not just tolerate) their crate time. Keep the crate clean at each step and make it cozy. Add blankets and a favorite toy.  

• Step one: leave the door to the carrier open. Plan to have this carrier out at all times, so put it in a place that is convenient for you and the cat. The cat may prefer this crate up on an elevated surface: a chair, desk, or table. When the cat isn’t paying attention, hide some tasty treats that your cat enjoys in the back of the crate. The novelty and discovery makes a great first impression. Do this randomly throughout the day.  
• Step two: lure the cat into the crate. Feed churu to the cat while they are in the crate. Let the cat exit the crate when they choose. 
• Step three: lure the cat into the carrier. Move door half closed. Offer churu. Let the cat exit. 
• Step four: lure the cat into the carrier, close the door, feed, open the door, let the cat exit. 
• Step 5-8: repeat step 4, closing the door for 2, 3, 5, and then 10 seconds. Seconds! 

Plan B

If your cat is already wary of the carrier or has had a bad experience with it, you will want to go even slower. Start with a new carrier or thoroughly clean the old one and put in new blankets. You can also spray Feliway (a calming pheromone) in the crate.  

• Step one: start by taking the lid off the carrier. Hide treats in the blanket on the open half of the carrier. Once the cat is comfortable approaching, add the lid back on. 
• Step two: hide treats in the back of the carrier. If your cat is too wary to approach, reward the cat for coming near the carrier and getting closer.
• Step three: once the cat is comfortable approaching and investigating the carrier (but NOT before), lure the cat into the carrier and feed churu while the cat is in the carrier. Let the cat exit at will. 
• Step four: lure the cat into the carrier. Move door half closed. Offer churu. Let the cat exit. 
• Step five: lure the cat into the carrier, close the door, feed, open the door, let the cat exit. 
• Step 6-10: repeat step 7 closing the door for 2, 3, 5, and then 10 seconds. Seconds!