Most cats dislike any change to their routine. We use various strategies to help our guests relax and get comfortable once they are here. However, transporting them to the inn can be the most difficult part of the whole experience.
We strongly recommend using a carrier during transport to the inn. This is the safest and most practical way to transport your pet. If you need to be convinced, we can tell you some stories about cats who were not in carriers. Here’s just one: The client had his cat sitting on the seat beside him on the drive to the inn. He stopped for gas, and when he got back into the car, could not find his cat. He spent the next couple of hours frantically searching in the car and around the gas station. Finally, he gave up and continued on his way. Before he even got back on the highway, his cat was back on the seat beside him.
Getting your cat into the carrier can be challenging – right up there with giving your cat a pill. But with some advice and some practice, you can do it!
Familiarizing your cat with the carrier over a period of days or weeks will be helpful. Keep the carrier in an area where your cat can become accustomed to seeing it. You may even try serving their meals in the carrier to encourage positive perceptions.
Try a few practice sessions during the weeks before boarding. Place your cat in the carrier and carry it around the house, eventually graduating to placing the loaded carrier in a car and taking a short drive.
The goal is familiarization. Your cat may not ever love the carrier, but at least they will be familiar with it. This will reduce the stress on your cat when it is time to bring them to the inn.
Here are some tips and a few techniques you can try for getting your cat into the carrier.
These have been compiled from our own experiences as well as several conversations with cat parents and other experts. We hope you find them effective.
First, you will want your cat or cats and the carrier(s) with you in a room that has few hiding places and no escape routes. You don’t want to be playing hide and seek just as you are planning to leave. This is especially important if you have two or more cats, as they are sure to scatter if they see the first cat resist the activity. You may want to do this in a bathroom or laundry room. Bedrooms are notorious for offering multiple hiding places (inside the box spring, at the back of a closet, in the tight space under or behind a heavy dresser).
1. Prepare the area. Stand the carrier on end so that the opening is facing up, allowing gravity to assist as you lower your cat into the carrier. Cover the carrier with a towel or blanket to camouflage it. You can also spray the carrier and towel with Feliway spray, as well. (Feliway contains feline pheromones that can be calming for your cat.)
2. Protect yourself. Your cat may use his or her claws to resist your control, so wear a long-sleeved shirt made of a stiff, heavy material. A heavy cotton men’s work shirt or a denim jacket works well for this.
3. Bring the cat to the room and close the doors and closets to block any escape options.
4. Place a harness and leash on your cat. Sometimes simply wearing a harness will make your cat submissive, and you may be able to simply pick up your cat and place it in the carrier.
5. Securely hold the end of the leash to prevent escape until the cat is securely in the carrier.
6. Pick the cat up in your arms. Take a little time to soothe the cat before proceeding.
7. Carefully lower your cat into the carrier and close the door.
Here are two techniques you may need to try:
Towel method
- Place a towel over your arms and hands, leaving several inches draped over the front of your hands.
- Approach the cat calmly and smoothly place the towel over the cat’s head and body. Be sure to cover the head and eyes first.
- Wrap the towel around the cat and pick it up, then place the cat with the towel in the carrier. Carefully pull the towel out and close the door.
Scruff method
- Firmly scruff your cat and support the hind legs. Lift from the bottom. Do not lift by the neck. The scruff is for control, not to lift the cat.
- Lower the cat into the carrier, with the back legs entering first.
- Maintain a firm scruff hold until the cat is in the carrier, then quickly close and secure the door or flap.
Do you have any other advice to share with our other clients? We love hearing about clever solutions to make things easier for our clients and guests!