Training Your Cat To Travel

If you ever need to take your cat anywhere, you will need to train your cat to ride in a carrier. It is never a good idea to allow your cat to run free in your vehicle while you are driving. You never know what they might do and it may make it difficult for you to drive safely.

Some cats are also not very big on cars in the first place and the cat may really stress out if it is loose. Other safety concerns occur when you open your door. You need to make sure that your cat won’t jump out when you open the door.

Training this behavior begins with choosing the right carrier for your cat. The carrier should be roomy, but not too big. A cat carrier will allow you to get your cat used to being in small, enclosed areas. If your cat is not use to this, begin slowly by only leaving the cat in the carrier for a short period of time.

This training should be done step-by-step. If you go slowly your cat should not resist too much. Begin by picking out an area where your cat is comfortable, such as in a closet and spend a little bit of time in there with the cat.

For the first day, you will do this a few times. This allows the cat to get used to being in a small room. Be sure to bring some of your cat’s favorite toys with you.

Next, begin by placing a blanket and your cat’s favorite toys in the carrier. This will attract the cat to the carrier. You can also put some catnip or a catnip toy in the carrier. This will also attract the cat. Once you have left the carrier open for a couple of days with your cat being able to investigate it on its own, you will want to place the cat in front of the carrier and gently place the cat in the carrier. While the cat is in the carrier pet him and talk to him. Once you have done this for a little while reward the cat for being good.

Once this is done you will want to move away from the carrier for a little bit. Then move back to the carrier and place the cat in there. Leave the carrier open all the time with a toy in it to encourage the cat to get explore it on its own. A couple of days later shut the door, but don’t lock it. Place the cat in the carrier, shut the door without locking it and move away. Allow the cat to see you, but don’t be right there in front of the carrier. Do this for a couple of days until the cat is used to it.

The next step is to lock the door. Make sure that you don’t make any loud noises with the lock that may startle the cat. Once the cat is comfortable you can begin carrying the carrier around the house. Do this a few time and then take the cat on his first ride in the car.

Remember to drive safely and quietly anytime you have your cat in the car from here on out.