Senior Cat Comfort & Care

Carrier fear is a huge reason cats don’t see the vet. It scares them and stresses us. But it’s easy to help them feel more secure in a carrier!

Keep it out all the time. Open all doors and flaps. Detach removable tops. Make it a cozy hangout and leave treats inside daily.

You’ll also do some training. Tip #18 talks about desensitization.

• Over the coming weeks, you’ll do multiple short training sessions.
• Never push past your cat’s comfort zone.
• Start by tossing a treat in the open carrier. If they won’t go all the way in, start with the treat as close as they’ll go.
• Gradually toss treats further until your cat goes fully inside.
• Put removable tops back on but open all the doors. If there’s no removable top, close just one door or flap.
• Continue tossing treats inside and slowly increase the intensity by closing more doors and flaps until you get to the final door.
• Now, toss a few treats in and close the door for just a second, then open it. Work up to a minute, then a few, and so on.
• Drop treats through other openings to keep it positive for your cat.
• Continue this slow process all the way to picking the carrier up, opening your front door, going outside, getting in the car turned off, then turned on, then taking short trips.

With time and patience, your cat will feel more comfortable in their carrier.