How to Use a Cat Carrier Without a Fight
Taking Cats to the Vet while Avoiding Stress and Struggles
May 31, 2009
A trip to the vet can be traumatic for a cat, the stress frequently beginning with the fight to get the pet into the carrier. A cat will often associate the cat carrier with negative experiences like veterinary examinations, which precipitates a fight-or-flight syndrome when the carrier is presented. Making positive associations between the carrier and the cat may reduce the fear that leads to these difficulties.
Most cats don't make a lot of car trips, because they can get underfoot if allowed to move freely about the vehicle. Moreover, transporting an animal in a carrier is safer for two reasons. By way of prevention, the cat won't get into dangerous places, such as under the gas pedal. In the case of a collision, a carrier which is properly anchored to the car seat will protect the animal much like a seat belt.
Pet Carriers: a Cat's Perspective
These encounters usually start with a human trying to force the cat into a carrier, and lead to a visit to the vet's office. A cat has every reason to association the sight and smell of the carrier with the unpleasantness of a vet visit. Smell in particular is known to form strong memories in humans, and it stands to reason that those associations could be stronger in a creature with a better olfactory system.
Cats take time to adapt to changes in their environment, sometimes days or weeks. They draw comfort from identifying the regular patterns around them, and may recognize patterns where a human would not. A cat dislikes surprises, and becomes more difficult to surprise as it identifies warning patterns.
A Cat's Curiosity is Stronger than Fear
The cat's curiosity stems from a desire to investigate all changes in its environment. Fear is often a response to unexpected change, such as the appearance of a cat carrier out of the blue. Fear can be replaced by curiosity by bringing it out far enough in advance that it can be investigated and accepted as harmless.
- Take the carrier out of its storage place, assembling it if necessary.
- Add the cat's scent by including an item that the animal has slept on.
- Place it with the door facing outward and propped open.
- Ignore the carrier entirely until it is needed.
The cat may run away the first time this is done, but within at least 24 hours, a full investigation of the carrier will occur. Cats will generally sit in the carrier voluntarily when treated in this manner. With no human action being taken, the carrier develops an overall neutral association.
Preparing for the Car Trip
With the carrier out for at least a day, it will no longer be automatically linked to vet trips. However, make it a point to perform these steps in advance, or out of sight, whenever possible.
- Close off rooms with the best hiding places earlier in the day.
- Ensure that the cat is inside well in advance of the appointment.
- Place the carrier on its end with the open door at the top.
- Locate the cat and pick it up affectionately, keeping it turned away while quickly moving to the carrier.
- Gently holding the front legs close to the body, swiftly put the cat headfirst into the carrier and latch the door before it realizes what's happening.
Upon returning from the vet, leave the carrier out with the door open for several hours after releasing the cat. If it's possible, consider storing it someplace the cat can reach it at any time.
 |
