Consistent work and positive reinforcement can help turn travel into a less stressful experience
Published in the July 9-23, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay
Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay
Despite the notion that cats hate to travel, they can be trained to travel in a carrier with minimal stress.
It is common for us to see cats that have not been kept current on basic medical care and vaccinations because they are resistant to travel to the veterinary clinic. In recent surveys, stress associated with taking cats to the vet is one of the top reasons that cats do not receive the same preventative care as dogs.
Unlike dogs, who often travel in the car to the park, play dates, pet stores and vacations, most cats are only taken in the carrier and car to go to the vet, where they are poked and prodded. Car rides and carriers become a very negative experience for cats. Consistent work and positive reinforcement can help turn travel into a positive experience for cats and dramatically decrease associated stress.
The right carrier: Cats are very particular critters and it will take some trial and error to find the perfect carrier.
The carrier should be cozy, but not too small. It should open from the top for easy access to avoid having to pull the cat out from the front while its nails are digging into the sides. The carrier needs to be sturdy when closed to prevent escapes or accidental opening while being carried.
A happy place: Make the carrier a happy place to be. Keep the carrier open in your home for easy access. Start by offering a tasty treat when your cat enters the carrier and he will start to associate it with positive things.
A favorite toy can be placed by the carrier to encourage him to go near the carrier. As he becomes more acclimated to having the carrier around, start placing toys and/or offering food inside the carrier. If you offer food in the carrier, make sure that he is not so fearful of the carrier that he stops eating, as this can lead to serious medical problems.
Practice: Active positive reinforcement will help acclimate your cat with the carrier. Offer him a treat when he enters the carrier and once he starts to associate that carrier with rewards, start closing the door prior to giving the treat.
Open the door back up so that he can enter and exit at will.
Ready for travel: Once your cat finds that carrier to be a safe haven, start putting it into the car.
Initially, just place that carrier in the car then take it back out again. The next time you can start the engine or even pull out of the driveway.
Build up to short trips around town, where the cat travels but has no other negative experience.
When traveling with the cat in the carrier, make sure that the carrier is placed securely in the car so that the carrier will not move nor tip during travel. You may be able to use the seat belt to secure the carrier if it is placed on the seat.
Make sure that nothing will fall or hit the carrier that could startle him.
Eventually, many cats can be trained to tolerate and even enjoy the carrier. If trips to the vet become the exception rather than the rule for carrier use and travel, you and your cat will both have a much more positive experience.
Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay received her undergraduate degrees in biology, biochemistry and Spanish from the College of Notre Dame, Belmont. She graduated from U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three young children, running, cycling and plans to return to her equestrian pastime in the near future.
