Get a Cat Into a Pet Carrier

A pet carrier is not your cat’s best friend. In fact, she may try anything and everything to avoid getting in the carrier, including using her claws and teeth.[1] Although getting your cat into her carrier can be challenging,[2], there are ways to make it a less stressful experience for the both of you.

Steps

Acclimating Your Cat to Her Pet Carrier

  1. Start the acclimation process early. The earlier in your cat’s life that she becomes comfortable with her carrier, the better. Kittens tend to be more adaptable than adult or senior cats,[3] so it is best to start the acclimation process when your cat is a kitten. If you have an older cat, the acclimation process will probably take a bit longer.
    • It may take anywhere from several weeks to several months before your cat is comfortable with her carrier.[3]
    • If you want to put your cat in a carrier to take her on a trip with you, start the acclimation process at least several weeks before your departure.[4]
  2. Leave the carrier out at all times. To cats, the presence of a pet carrier usually means something bad is about to happen, like a trip to the vet's office.[3] If you take the carrier out only when you need to take your cat somewhere, then she will likely learn to fear it.[4] Therefore, it is recommended to leave the carrier out on the floor all the time.[3]
    • Leave the carrier door open. This will allow your cat to enter and exit the carrier as she pleases, without fearing that you are going to close the door on her.
  3. Place the pet carrier in a favorite location. Even with unlimited access, your cat may not want to enter the carrier if it is in a location where she does not frequent. Put the carrier in one of her favorite spots, such as by a window that gets lots of sunlight.[2]
  4. Make the inside of the carrier enticing for your cat. The carrier should feel like a place of comfort and safety to your cat, even if she’s not exactly thrilled about being inside of it.[3] One way to entice your cat into the carrier is to make it smell familiar to her. For example, place her favorite towel or blanket in the carrier.[2]
    • Spray cat pheromones (available at your local pet store) in the carrier.[2]
    • Place some kibbles, treats, or catnip in your cat’s carrier.[2][3] Replenish the supply when needed.[3]
    • If she has some favorite toys, place those in the carrier as well.
  5. Feed your cat in her carrier. If your cat seems comfortable spending time in her carrier, try feeding her when she is inside of it. Initially, however, she may not want to eat her meals inside of her carrier. Rather, she may feel more comfortable eating her meals near the carrier.[3]
    • Place her food bowl a few feet away from the carrier. Gradually move the bowl closer to the carrier each time that you feed her.[3]
    • If she doesn’t want to eat the food when you move the bowl closer, move it back and start the process again.[3]
    • Ideally, your cat will work up to eating from her bowl when it is inside the carrier. If she does this, try feeding her in her carrier every day.[3]
    • Your cat may not eat in the carrier if she senses you watching her—she may think you will close the door behind her. Stand far enough away from her so that she can eat without that suspicion.[3]
  6. Practice closing the carrier door. Being inside the carrier could feel like a trap to your cat, so she will need to become comfortable with you closing its door. When she enters the carrier, briefly close the door. Immediately give her a treat, then unlock the door and let her out.[3]
    • Do not practice closing the door when your cat is eating.
    • Start by closing the door for only a few seconds. When you repeat this process, slowly increase the amount of time you leave the carrier door closed before offering her a treat and letting her back out.[3]
    • Give her a treat only if she does not get upset or try to get out when you shut the door. If she does either of those, decrease the amount of time you keep the door closed.[3]

Putting Your Cat in Her Pet Carrier

  1. Place an extra towel or newspaper inside the carrier. The stress of being in a carrier may cause your cat to urinate. An extra towel or newspaper will help soak up the urine so that your cat does not have to feel the ‘soil spot’ in the carrier.[2][1] If you use an extra towel, you can spray it with cat pheromones if it is not one she usually sleeps on.
  2. Position the carrier. Front- or top-loading hard-sided carriers are ideal for learning how to put your cat into a carrier.[2] If you have a front-loading carrier, place it on its end with the opening facing toward the ceiling.[2] This way, you will be able to place your cat in the carrier safely and with a relative amount of ease.
    • It may be helpful place the carrier against the wall to keep it from falling back as you are trying to place your cat inside of it.
  3. Pick up your cat. How you pick up your cat is very important to safely placing her in the carrier. Wrap one arm around her hind end and position your other arm under her chest.[2][4] For the arm supporting your cat’s back end, use your hand to hold her back legs.[4]
    • Her hind end should be against your chest, with the rest of her body facing away from you.
    • If your cat is prone to struggling and scratching, use a thick towel to pick her up.[4]
  4. Lower your cat into her carrier. Slowly put your cat’s hind end in the carrier first.[2] By lowering her in this way, she will not feel like she is being forced into the carrier with no way out.[2]
    • If your cat starts to struggle, put her down and give her time to calm down before trying again.
  5. Close the carrier door and reposition the carrier. When your cat is safely in the carrier, secure the latch and position the carrier with its bottom on the floor.[2] Give your cat treats if she behaved well when being placed in the carrier (e.g., no biting, scratching, or excessive struggle).
  6. Cover the carrier with a towel or pillowcase. Placing a towel or pillowcase over the carrier makes it feel more snug and safe to your cat,[4] reinforcing the idea that the carrier is a place of comfort and safety. When traveling in the car, covering the carrier can help block out the fact that the car is moving but your cat is not.
    • Your cat’s sense of balance can be disrupted during car travel.[4]
    • Do not cover the carrier on a hot day.[4]

Tips

  • Cats are creatures of habit.[4] If not given time to acclimate to the carrier, your cat may see it as an unwelcome disruption to her normal routine.
  • After a veterinary visit, the inside of the carrier will have scents of the veterinary clinic that your cat will not like. When you get home, scrub and rinse out the carrier with hot water.[4]
  • Soft-sided carriers, which open from the top or side, are easier to carry. However, their sides are collapsible, which may not be good if you plan to take your cat on long car rides.[5]
  • Your pet carrier should be large enough for your cat to turn around in.[5] It should also be easily disassembled, which is particularly important if your cat is sick, injured, or will not come out on her own.[2]
  • Consult with your veterinarian if you are unsure of which carrier is ideal for your cat.
  • Consider giving your cat a verbal command to enter her carrier. Toss a treat into the carrier and say ‘in’ when she walks in. Give her lots of praise immediately after she walks in. Repeat this process until she can enter her carrier after your verbal command, but before you give her a treat.[3]

Warnings

  • Trying to put your cat into her carrier at the last minute will increase her stress, which could cause her to bite or scratch you.[6] Allow plenty of time before your desired departure time to get her into the carrier.
  • Do not put your cat in a makeshift carrier, such as a laundry basket or pillowcase. Makeshift carriers can injure or traumatize your cat.[2]
  • Do not remove your cat from her carrier by pulling her or trying to shake her out.[6]

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/low-stress-ways-to-get-your-very-feisty-claws-out-cat-to-the-vet
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 http://www.banfield.com/pet-health-resources/pet-health-concerns/pet-safety-tips/a-guide-to-getting-your-cat-in-a-pet-carrier
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 https://www.petfinder.com/cats/cat-problems/cat-hates-carrier/
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 https://www.lovethatpet.com/cats/travel/cat-carrier-tips/
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 https://www.aaha.org/pet_owner/pet_health_library/cat_care/general_health/traveling_and_moving_with_your_cat.aspx
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/reduce-your-cats-stress-during-veterinary-exams/
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