How to get your cat used to the carrier?

The moment has come. You and your small feline companion have to leave the house together, travel, go to the vet, visit some friends... Any daily situation will make you need your kitten to travel in a carrier, one of the most common, appropriate and safe ways. to go with him anywhere.

A process that can become a nightmare if you do not patiently and lovingly accustom your little one to the carrier. The objective will be to make them see the gadget as a comfortable and safe place, inside which they feel protected. That's why we want to help you get your kitten used to the carrier. And we will do it for each of its phases - being inside it, moving it, going in a vehicle, etc. - in a simple way with some basic advice.

1st Phase: positive contact with the carrier

The first purpose will be to make your kitten have a positive experience of contact with the object that has just entered your home and to get used to seeing it.

• It is best to start accustoming your feline when it is a puppy and has not yet made any type of negative association with the carrier. The work will be much easier.
• First of all, remove the front door of the carrier so that your kitten can freely explore it inside and out without any type of hindrance.
• Don't hide it. Place it from the beginning in a visible place in the house, preferably where your furry friend is comfortable and calm, so that it goes from a strange object to a familiar one. To help him with this task, you can place an object with a known smell, such as a blanket, inside him so that he associates it with his home and his natural habitat, not as something external.
• Once he has become familiar with the presence of the new “device” you can begin to place his feeder nearby every day and bring it closer little by little until placing it inside the carrier. This will make your cat associate it with a positive and pleasant experience and end up introducing itself inside to eat. Between food and food - you can choose from Dibaq's variety of cat food - hide a treat inside the carrier and if you discover your little one inside, take the opportunity to reward him.
• Another way to get your little one used to entering and leaving “the box” naturally is through games. You can place their favorite toy inside to get their attention.
• Remember that your cat should never force its way into the carrier. That is why you should use “baits” and games to make him feel attracted to him in a natural and positive way. This way, you will make it stop being a strange environment.
• When your little one naturally enters and exits the device it will be time to place the door , but do not try to close it at first because he will feel cornered. Start by moving the door when he is inside and giving him a treat for staying still. If he wants to leave, don't block him. Gradually increase the time you keep the door closed and reward him through the bars until you can close the door completely, always in sessions from less to more time.

2nd Phase: get him used to movement

This moves! That's what your kitten will think the first time you lift the carrier off the ground, so you have to get him used to the new sensation of movement.

• Lift the carrier with your cat inside , but first do it only from top to bottom, without moving. Gradually increase the time you keep the cage in the air.
• Start taking small steps until taking short trips inside the house with the carrier in your hand and your kitten inside it.
• Always advance gradually, starting by taking short stretches inside the house, until going up and down stairs and going outside for longer walks with your furry friend in the carrier.
• It will be better if the first places you go are pleasant - don't take your cat to the vet the first time he travels in a carrier - so that he feels that he can also go to fun and interesting places.
• When you arrive at the destination , do not force him to leave. Leave the door open and let him be the one who feels curious and goes out alone.

3rd Phase: travel by car

You probably need to put your little one in the carrier to take a car trip, especially now that summer is approaching. For this reason, you must also accustom it to the movements of the vehicle, which, at times, can be very stressful for the animal.

• Start by putting the carrier with your kitten in the car and strapping it to the seat and then returning home. All this without starting the engine so that the furry friend can get used to the new place.
• After a few days of testing, start the car and begin traveling a few short sections, at low speed and, if possible, in a straight line. Little by little you should increase the time and complexity of the trip until you can move freely by car with your little one.
• You can use, as in the first phase, treats or toys to reward good behavior . Or also leave him a blanket or towel from home so he associates the familiar smell with the car trip. This will make you calmer and more relaxed.

If you are patient and affectionate you will get your cat used to traveling in a carrier without any problem. Keep in mind that felines learn from experience, so if every time they enter their cage they get a reward or a positive experience, your furry friend will associate this reward with the carrier.

You will have it all done! You will have become the best travel companions.