Does your cat HATE the carrier? Does he sadly meow the entire car ride? Now, don’t expect any magic spells, but there are definitely some things you can do to take his anxiety level from an 8 to a 3 or 4.
Here are some proactive tips…
🔹 Clean the carrier with a neutral cleanser then set it in the sun to dry. (No citrus cleaners! Cats do NOT like citrus.) This helps remove negative pheromones from previous experiences or pets. Pheromones are a big deal for cats and dogs, y’all.
🔹 Put a favorite towel or blanket inside.
🔹 Sprinkle yummy treats in the back. You can also try catnip.
🔹 Spray FeliWay (available at most vets). This is a “happy” pheromone spray with scientific evidence. You may notice your vet has diffusers in the exam rooms. There’s a good likelihood it’s not just a “fresh linen” plug in, rather they have invested in FeliWay for their practice to minimize your pet’s stress.
🔹 Place the carrier in a familiar place in your home with the door open
🔹 Wait! The more time your kitty spends around the crate, the less they will associate it with the stress of leaving their normal environment.
Other notes:
🔹 If you have a honeysuckle bush, you can cut off a thick branch and place it inside the carrier. I have not tried this yet, but heard at a conference that cats find honeysuckle very interesting.
🔹 If your cat vomits during car rides, there are pretty effective motion sickness medications that can be prescribed for future visits. There are also prescription medications for situational anxiety available for severely anxious or fractious kitties.
🔹 It’s best to start this process more than the night before… but just do the best you can. Some days it’s hard to get my kids fed and my own teeth brushed, so I get it. 🐾
-Nicole Stec Phillips, DVM
Dr. Stec, Pet Vet 