A cat carrier is an essential accessory for transporting your cat. Very often, however, getting your cat into the carrier is a challenge.
Getting your kitten into the cat carrier is most often a real challenge for pet parents. Despite this, however, the carrier is essential for both short journeys to the vet and long trips. The cat should therefore be introduced to its use right from the start.
Why use a cat carrier?
The use of a carrier is necessary for the safety of your cat. Holding your cat while in the car can be very dangerous. The animal can easily become frightened and have unpredictable reactions, or it could injure himself in case of a sudden stop. The transport of pets is also regulated by law. When travelling by car, they must be kept in a cage or carrier or in the luggage compartment with a partition. So that your cat does not experience the carrier as a stressful time, it is best to start using it from the first months of life.
Characteristics of the cat carrier
The cat carrier should be adapted to your cat’s needs and size, to guarantee his safety. It should not be excessively large, as an agitated cat could move around and risk injury, but it should not restrict his freedom of movement too much. Above all, it must have sufficient holes for a good air circulation. Lastly, it’s important to check that it has a safe closing system.
A carrier with an opening roof makes it much easier for your cat to enter. Atlas Open by Ferplast, for example, has an opening roof with a plastic-coated steel grille, slits on the sides for internal ventilation and comes complete with a feeder and washable cotton cushion. It’s available in various sizes and has a maximum load capacity of 12 kg. Plastic, by the way, is better than metal, as there are less risks of your cat getting injured if he puts his paws between bars.
How to get your kitten used to the cat carrier
In order to avoid trauma, your cat needs to get used to the carrier calmly and without force. The first step in getting your kitten into the carrier is to put a garment with our scent on it and leave it open. This technique should encourage your kitten to get closer to the cage and become familiar with it. We can also attract them with croquettes, cuddles and toys, which should be concentrated near the carrier. At least for the first few days, it is better to avoid closing it. When the cat starts to enter in the carrier with a certain tranquility, slowly move the door closer until it is completely closed, first for a few minutes, then increasing longer.
In cases of extreme necessity, if your cat is very stubborn and reluctant to enter the carrier, you can spray a pheromone-based spray to help him calm down. Adult cats are more averse to new things, which is why it is important to get them used to the carrier when they’re puppies.
The crate experience should be something that is recognized as normal. It is therefore advisable to simulate car journeys by placing the cat in the carrier and simply turning on the engine, so that he can get used to the noise. However, before starting to use the cat carrier in the car, it’s best to start by walking it around, as this will help it to get used to the oscillations.The crate experience should be something that is recognized as normal. It is therefore advisable to simulate car journeys by placing the cat in the carrier and simply turning on the engine, so that he can get used to the noise. However, before starting to use the cat carrier in the car, it’s best to start by walking it around, as this will help it to get used to the oscillations.
Only later, take your cat with you in the car, start with short journeys and then increase the number of journeys over time as your cat gets used to it. In addition, to make the journey more pleasant, it’s better to drive softly with relaxing music playing in the background. You can put the carrier on the passenger side and talk to your cat throughout the journey, which will distract and calm him down.
Using a cat carrier is therefore not an option. So that your cat sees it as a refuge and not a threat, you must choose a comfortable cat carrier and get him used to it from an early age.