We were supposed to take our cat to the vet. It never happened. He sees the carrier, freaks out, and is spooked for the rest of the day. (As opposed to our dog, who will run to get into the car and is happy to go anywhere and see anyone.) Any tips you can share? Thanks.

From: John

Thanks for the question, John. First of all, having a cat who is willing to get into a carrier is really important to his safety. In a medical or environmental emergency, his acceptance of the carrier means a swift departure to safety, and it also means that he will not have an increased stress level from having to cope with the alien, frightening container. An elevated stress level can make a sick cat much sicker, and in an emergency evacuation-type situation, can make it much harder on the animal if he isn’t already okay with the carrier.

So here are the steps you’re going to follow. This may seem like a lot of work over a long time, but it’s really just about patience on your part. Cats cannot be rushed, and have a high resistance to new things, so you must move at a slow pace and break the process down into small steps in order to have a successful outcome.

1) The cat has to get comfortable with the carrier itself, which represents something foreign. (Cats are curious about new things, but basically don’t like them!)

2) The cat now associates that carrier with something HORRENDOUS -- doubly horrible, actually -- a car ride, and a visit to the vet. You have to change that association, first to something neutral, then to something positive.

3) Before starting, make sure the carrier doesn’t smell bad (it should have no odor at all). If you have any doubt, wash it down with hot water and very little mild or castile soap, and dry.

4) Put something cozy inside the carrier, like a piece of synthetic lambskin, or better yet, an old sweatshirt you have worn, and do not wash it: your odor is familiar and comforting.

5) Now you want to make the carrier smell good. Do this by getting a spray product which is a synthetic version of the facial hormones that cats rub anywhere they want to mark in a positive way. The spray is called Comfort Zone Feliway, and is sold at all pet stores. Spray it on the opening of the carrier, and inside.

6) Now you want to make the carrier familiar, so you’ll keep it out in the house, within sight, all the time. Put it near where your cat usually hangs out, and put his favorite bed or cushion in it (or use the old sweatshirt).

7) Prop the door open or remove it, if it can be taken off. You want to make the carrier a cozy den where good things happen. NEVER force him to go inside, and NEVER block him from leaving.

8) When your cat is a bit hungry (so he’s more motivated, in case he really hates the carrier already), put some small pieces of chicken inside the carrier.

9) Serve him a few spoons of really nice smelly canned cat food inside the carrier. In the beginning, put the dish right near the opening so the cat can feel safe, with most of his body outside the carrier. Serve him subsequent meals in there, each time moving the dish farther inside.

10) Make sure nothing startling happens when he’s inside the carrier -- no loud noises or big surprises. You’re working on him getting very comfy in there.

11) Every few days, give a few squirts of Feliway to the entrance of the carrier, and inside.

12) Once he’s really comfortable in there (this can take many days, even weeks, to achieve, and rushing it is the worst thing you can do!), close the door for a little while, then open it. No drama, no big deal. Don’t build this up into anything that is emotionally charged.

13) Get the cat used to being moved in the carrier, little by little. Carry him around in the carrier inside the house, then put it down and open the door, offering a tasty treat like chicken when he gets out. Then, carry her outside a little (in the carrier), then into the car, then for a short car ride. Do not have that car ride end in a vet visit! Once around the block, back indoors, open the carrier, chicken treat, and bingo! He will be carrier trained.

14) When you finally do have to take him to the vet, bring the Feliway spray with you and squirt the table at the vet’s with it before you open the carrier to take him out. By this point, he’ll be eager to get back into the safety and comfort of that carrier, which he now loves!

Good luck!

Tracie Hotchner