Being able to transport your cat is important, especially for vet visits and in case of emergencies. This needs to be done safely and happily to satisfy both you and your cat. Some cats are not happy being transported in carriers, however, it is important to use carriers for their own safety.
How can you get your cat used to a carrier?
The first step is to get your cat used to the carrier. First, we recommend just leaving the carrier in a room with your cat, or cats. This makes them feel familiar with the carrier and helps them get used to it. Once they are accustomed to having it in their environment, you could start placing treats in the entrance to encourage them to step inside. Given time, eventually, you can start to feed your cat inside the carrier, so they can consider it a part of their home. If your cat is shy then you can place a blanket over the entrance to make it feel more private. At this point, you can start closing the door, slowly allowing the cat to become used to being inside. Make sure to regularly give your cat treats while in the transporter so they don’t only associate it with vet visits, and so they can remember that it is a great place to be!
Why is it important?
The carrier is important for several reasons:
It protects cats in the car or on other modes of transport.
It provides a comforting, secure place for cats, when they feel anxious about travelling.
It makes it easier for the owner to carry an injured pet.
If there is an emergency like a fire, it is easily accessible and easier to get them in so that you can get you and your pet to safety.
Why is it good to train cats to be handled?
Allowing a kitten to adapt to being handled provides many benefits. It creates a stronger relationship between you and your cat as they learn and grow up. It accustoms them to being petted, which helps suppress aggressive behavioural issues. It also helps them socialise and helps eliminate fear associated with touching. Finally, it helps you establish a strong bond with your kitten, so they will learn to love you as they grow older!
What if my cat doesn’t like to be handled?
Unfortunately, some cats are not very keen on being picked up but it is possible to get your cat used to it; Not necessarily to be carried for long periods of time but a few seconds would be enough to put him/her in a carrier in case of an emergency.
First start by only grabbing very lightly, carefully making sure that your cat is not distressed and is comfortable with the movements. then you may start to want to start picking them up 1 or 2 cm and then putting them back down. slowly increase the height until you can get your cat to the carrier quickly and safely. also make sure to reward your cat with treats so that they associate the handling with good things.
What if my cat is not friendly?
If your cat is not friendly/feral, you can coax them into a small room like a bathroom, put the carrier in front and cover all exits (could be with towels or cardboard). Make sure the carrier is covered as cats will naturally hide, so they tend to hide in the carrier. This can be done by gently pushing them with an item (be careful with your hands as cats may scratch/bite if they are feeling cornered). If you have an unfriendly cat, we definitely recommend MDC carrier opening from the bottom or from the side.
What type of carrier is safe for my cat?
Finding a reliable cat carrier is a hard thing, as there are so many options on so many platforms for so many prices. We would recommend that you use a hard carrier, and not a soft carrier, or a backpack as cats can easily escape from them. Also, you may want to use a cover across the front of your carrier, as it will frighten the cat less if they cannot see the outside world. Here are some of our recommendations.
MDC have the safest carriers (we highly recommend these)
Front opening works well when a cat is not friendly that can be cornered
Drop over carrier is ideal for cats that are hard to trap.
Hard carrier with top opening works for all.
How Can You Help Us?
L.I.C.K is a volunteer run charity, no one gets paid!
Every donation big or small allow us to do our work and care for all our cats and kittens.
All donations go towards medical costs.