Teaching Your Cat to Love the Crate
Lesson description: Teach your cat to approach and enter their
crate. The technique discussed is passive, meaning your cat makes the
choice and should never be forced. The goal is to have the cat realize that
good things happen when it is in the crate; this process is called
desensitization (becoming more comfortable with the carrier) and counter
conditioning (changing the emotional response from fear to comfort). You can download the pdf version here.
Before starting be sure to
have the following items:
- Crate- free from odors.
If your cat has previously eliminated in the carrier, clean, disinfect and let
- Hard sided crates
ideally will have a top that opens as well as the front door.
- Soft-sided crates are also acceptable.
- The crate should be
large enough that the cat can enter without hitting the door. The size will be
determined by the size of your cat.
- Feliway spray- this is
a pheromone spray that helps to decrease anxiety in cats. Please spray the carrier and any bedding at
least 30 minutes prior to introducing your cat to the carrier. You can also
take a towel that you have rubbed on your cat's face when they are happy and
place it in the carrier.
- Bedding- whatever your
cat likes. Generally they like soft and fluffy with a rim around the edge to
- Treats and toys. They need to be very high value, this does not necessarily mean high proceed, just a treat or toy that your cat will do anything to get! Canned food, hot dogs, chicken chunks, tuna chunks, and yogurt are a few favored items for many cats. If your cat has health issues, please
consult with your veterinarian prior to trying these foods. The cat won't be getting a large volume of
these special items. Some cats prefer toys to food; having their favorite toy
available is helpful.
- Place the carrier in your cat's favorite spot to lie.
- Place the comfy bedding
along with treats and toys in the carrier.
- Remove the door from
the crate. This prevents the cat from accidentally hitting the door and
becoming scared while it is exploring.
Let the cat explore the
bed. Ideally the cat should "discover"
the goodies on his or her own. Once the
treats are consumed/or toys removedyou can add more.
- Remove lid if your cat
is really freaked out by the carrier. Let them get used to just the bottom. It
will serve as a bed.
Replace lid on carrier
- If you happen to be in
the room when the cat enters the carrier you can say, "good kitty" in
a soft reassuring voice.
- If your cat is going in
regularly while you are present reinforce the behavior by walking
over and dropping a treat in the carrier.
With the lid on, start
over again at the beginning just as you did without the lid. The process generally goes much quicker. The
cat determines the pace.
Replace door on carrier.
- This is only necessary
if you had to remove the top in the previous step.
Ideally the crate is
large enough that your cat can go in and out without hitting the door.
Allow the cat to come out of the carrier after each session if they choose.
When your cat is going into the carrier regularly then start to stand closer to the carrier.
- Fasten the door so that
it will not bang open or shut.
As the cat enters, or
is in the carrier, toss your cat's favorite high value treats your cat will learn that
you, near the carrier is a good thing.
- When you can stand next to the carrier and your cat remains relaxed in the carrier, proceed to the next step.
- The cat needs to feel
comfortable with you by the carrier.
Shutting the carrier door
- Your cat will learn that your presence near the carrier is a good thing and predicts their favorite treat is coming.
- First, just place your
hand on the carrier door, toss treat.
- Then slowly shut the
door, each time tossing treats.
- When the cat is continues to eat and remains relaxed when you shut the door, proceed to latch the door, toss treats and open door.
- If you have a squeaky latch, practice depressing the latch and making it squeak without actually latching the door.
It is important that
your cat is very relaxed and calm in the carrier with the door shut before
Picking up the carrier.
- Gradually increase the
time the door is shut. If your cat
seems nervous at all, back up a step or two. Try feeding your cat's canned
food in the carrier, shut the door and open the door before they are done
Carrying the carrier.
- Slowly pick up carrier
just a few inches off the floor. Toss
treats in or give the cat something really good to eat while you are picking
up the carrier.
- If your cat stops eating or will not eat, go back to step 13.
- You might also try just holding the handle on the top of the carrier, while the carrier remains on the floor.
- This first step is just
- Gradually increase the
height that you are picking up the carrier.
- Allow the cat to come
out of carrier every time you pick carrier up.
- Take one small step at
a time, give your cat a treat and then put the carrier down and open the door. Repeat. If the cat is stressed or upset, return to step 13 and practice each step until your cat is very relaxed.
- Place the carrier in a car that is not running. Give treats.
- Gradually increase the amount of time the carrier is in the car. Give treats intermittently.
- Start the car, the car remains stationary. Do not move the car!
- Place the carrier in a car that is running. Give treats.
- Gradually increase the
time the engine is running.
- Drive a short distance
- Short is relative. Ideally you stop just before your cat would
get upset. The goal is for your cat never to be upset in the car. Traveling until your cat is upset sets back the training process and erodes the trust and confidence that the cat has associated with you, the carrier and the sound of the car.
- Gradually increase the
Things to consider:
- The cat decides the
rate of training. While going slow may
be tedious, it will create a long lasting positive effect.
- It may be helpful to
use longer lasting treats (such as canned food) when
first implementing something new- door closing, lifting, etc. That way, the cat is distracted by the good
food and there is a positive association. If the cat stops eating the food, it is a sign that the progression has
gone too quickly.
- Rank treats/toys from high
to low. The best treats are the ones the cat will do anything for and are used
when introducing new steps. As the cat
becomes more comfortable, gradually fade out high value for lower value treats.
- Using Feliway during
the process can help the cat feel more comfortable. You can also use a Feliway diffuser in an outlet near the
carrier. The diffusers will provide a constant supply of the pheromone.
- There are Feliway wipes to wipe the inside of the carrier prior to travel.
- Some cats may get car
sick if they have eaten too much prior to getting into the car. For these cats, feeding prior to the getting
into the car should be avoided (counter condition the other steps with the
treats but do not feed prior to getting in the car). If it is vomiting related to anxiety, the positive association
with the carrier should eliminate some, if not all, of the anxiety associated
with the carrier. This in turn should
decrease the vomiting as well as stress eliminations.
- This seems like a lot
of work but the benefits are many fold.
- A calmer cat in the
veterinary setting means better care and evaluations.
- Natural disasters such
as house fires, tornadoes, hurricanes or any evacuation procedure will go a lot
smoother if you are not fighting your cat to get into the carrier. The ability of the cat to go easily into the
carrier could save its life and yours.
- Your cat has a safe
place to retreat when company or small children are present.
- Traveling with your pet
becomes a joy instead of a chore or worse a nightmare.
- Hopefully your cat will
always be healthy and not require frequent trips to the veterinary hospital.
If, however, they do get sick and need frequent exams, at least the carrier and
car ride will not be stressful for them.
Please contact our office if you have any questions!
Watch the video entitled: A cat's perspective of the carrier. at the bottom of this link to see why your cat may be fearful of the carrier. After watching what adjustments will you make?