By Michele C. Hollow of Pet News and Views
Whenever Earl Gray, my cat, sees the cat carrier come out from the basement, it is like a Looney Tunes cartoon at my house. He dashes, I chase, and my son thinks this is hilarious.
I am a good cat parent. However, when it comes to putting Earl in the carrier, he immediately senses that I?m nervous. I know what is about to ensue, and expect a mad pursuit around the house. ?Earl, rightfully so, equates the carrier as a trip to the veterinarian. That is the only time I bring it up from the basement. He isn?t used to it, and that is bad.
According to Miguel Ortiz, DVM, at Banfield Pet Hospital in New York City,? ?For their own safety, cats need to feel comfortable in their carriers. ?In case of emergencies like a fire or an accident, you need to be able to get your cat into the carrier and to the veterinarian as quickly as possible.?
Getting your cat to equate that his carrier is a place of comfort should start now. First, bring the carrier out from the basement, attic or other storage place, and place it in a room where your cat spends a good deal of time. Keep the carrier door open, and if you can, take off the top half of the carrier. Cats like to go in boxes, and a carrier could be a fun and secure place to rest.
?Place your cat?s favorite blanket, pillow or towel as a liner,? suggests Dr. Ortiz. ?And you can put his favorite toy and a few treats in the carrier. You can even spray the carrier with pheromones (which can be purchased at most pet stores).?
Once your cat gets used to going inside the carrier, place the top half back on it. ?And when he is comfortable in it,? says Dr. Ortiz, ?close the door for 5 to 10 seconds. Then you can close it for longer periods of time. Just do this gradually so your cat will feel comfortable.?
Banfield Pet Hospital and Animal Planet?s Victoria Stilwell are Hosting an InFURvention
Banfield Pet Hospital and Victoria Stilwell are asking cat owners nationwide to upload videos of their real-life struggles and attempts to get their cat into a carrier for a chance to win a year?s worth of free preventive veterinary care and a special at-home visit and training consultation from?Animal Planet?s famed pet trainer, Victoria Stilwell.
Win a visit with Victoria Stilwell of Animal Planet.
Of the 86 million felines living as pets in the U.S., an astonishing one-third of pet owners will skip a trip to the veterinarian to avoid the hassle. ?Yet missing a veterinarian visit could actually cause more harm to the pet. Cats rarely exhibit signs of sickness or disease even when a problem exists; therefore, routine veterinarian visits are essential to protecting pets from life-threatening illnesses.
?There is no doubt that cats can be finicky when it comes to travel; however, there are easy tips and tricks pet owners can use to ensure a smooth road ahead,? says Stilwell. ?Pet owners don?t have to be a professional in order to train their cats to get into the carrier. All it takes is some practice and simple changes in behavior.?
From now through Friday August, 17, pet owners are invited to upload their cat videos by clicking here??with the tag ?#inFURvention? to be considered for an inFURvention from Stilwell and a year?s worth of free preventive care from Banfield Pet Hospital.
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