Cozy in the Carrier

For most cat owners, it can be a dreaded task for when it’s time to get your cat in their carrier. With the slightest noise of the carrier, your cat goes running, hiding, and starts to show you the most impressive ninja moves you’ve ever seen! It’s not a fun time for most, but how can we make it a better experience for both you and your pet?

Cats often feel safe and cozy in small, dark places, which a carrier certainly provides! The carrier doesn’t have to be the enemy, but it can actually be a great tool to help your cat feel happy and safe. “Carrier training” to make your cat more comfortable with the carrier can sound clinical or even time consuming, but it is a pretty easy process with many passive steps! Let’s learn how to make the carrier a comfy, not scary, space for your cat!

Check out Our Companion’s Carrier Training with your Cat Infographic for a step-by-step guide.

Let the carrier do some of the work: Leave carriers out in your cat’s normal environment. Drape it with a blanket so it looks more like a cat bed, plus you can match your décor too! Toss treats, toys, and/or cat nip in the carrier at random. Feed in and around the carrier. If the carrier is out in a space they frequent or an area they may use to nap, it becomes a normal place for them to retreat to. And they can check out the carriers whether you are home or not – easy breezy!

Hard carriers for the win: We know that soft carrier with the flowers looks way cuter in the living room… but hard carriers won’t collapse in on themselves, they won’t wobble your cat around while you are walking to and from the car, they are better to secure in your car, and the material is more reliable for claws and accidents. Hard carriers are much more durable and their hard top allow you to cover most of it with a cute throw blanket to create a cozy cave vibe! You can even take the front doors off the carriers when they are out in the home.

No sudden moves needed: Go slow, keep it fun or even neutral. Our infographic outlines each step of the way! Build off each foundational step to help give you cat confidence around all of the aspects of a carrier. Your cat’s carrier can be a comfortable and cozy space for them, that just so happens to also transport them to the vet once in a while.

We are here to help! If you have questions or need assistance with Cat Behavior, please contact our Helpline at 860-242-9999 or email [email protected]!