How to safely crate and transport your kitty
These tips will alleviate the struggle and dread of crating your cat prior to a trip to the veterinarian, groomer or cat hotel.
Do you dread taking your cat to the vet or groomer
We can help you make the process less painful with these tips!
Did you know the trip to the vet/groomer begins long before the appointment? Here’s how to prepare:
Leave your cat carrier in a room where kitty spends a lot of time and is comfortable. Keep the door to the carrier open. What’s the best carrier? Here are a list of a few with links, but we prefer hard carriers (think dreaded accident) with kitty in back seat, covered in towel or blanket) The Petmate Two Door Top Load is our absolute favorite. Click here to see others that made their list.
Put your cat’s favorite blanket, toy and treats in the carrier.
If kitty is still stressed, add a synthetic pheromone spray such as Feliway to calm kitty.
When your kitty goes into the carrier, praise her and pet her. Shut the crate door, but open it up a minute after it is closed so she’s not startled the first time you shut the crate door.
The day of the appointment:
Move carrier to small room with no hiding spaces (like a bathroom) and put kitty in the same room.
Calmly put kitty in carrier 10 minutes prior to departure.
Pick kitty up without facing carrier and put her in so she can’t see the carrier. Hold back legs.
***** TIP: Keep towel in carrier and extra on hand in event kitty goes to the bathroom. Also, hold food and water (unless medically necessary to feed and water).
The more your kitty sees the carrier as a neutral space, the less she’ll be stressed when she is put inside.