Do You Make This Mistake With Your Cat's Carrier?

Just about every cat owner has to face this problem sooner or later. You need to get your cat into their carrier to visit the vet, be taken to the cattery or to travel to another home and what do you know? Your loving and ever-present cat has scooted off in the opposite direction at the speed of sound!

And even when you finally manage to locate the fur-covered little devil after wasting time you can ill-afford, you have to battle claws, teeth, rudely hissed words and ears flattened so close to your cat's head you'd think that they's disappeared altogether. Your cat is less than co-operative as you struggle to force their rigid body into their carrier.

How is it that your normal, loving and co-operative pet suddenly turns into a feral wildcat as soon as their carrier comes into sight?

Well, you'll probably be amazed to hear that it's all your fault. You and you alone are responsible for making The Big Mistake.

And that mistake is..

You put your cat's carrier out of sight when you finish using it.

We all do it. As soon as the trauma of transporting your cat from A to B is over, the carrier gets put in the garage, in a shed or in a cupboard out of sight and out of mind. And that is where the mistake is made. The hated carrier is hidden away.

So, as the guilty party, how can you correct your error? Can you change the situation for the better? Is it possible for your cat to ever accept their carrier and remain calm and serene around it? Without doubt they can - and you can start to correct your mistake the very second you've finished reading this!

Bring the carrier out of storage and place it in a cat-friendly place.

Place it where it is warm and can remain undisturbed.

Make it comfortable inside with a blanket or cushion.

Make it interesting by placing a favourite toy inside

Place a few tasty morsels inside.

Always leave the door wide open for free access.

Keep it within your cat's everyday world.

And that's just about it. By following the above steps, you will be able to tackle changing your cat's negative associations with their carrier. Every time it comes into view, it triggers strong emotions in your cat as they will always connect the carrier with being forcefully subjected to unpleasant procedures. No wonder your cat runs off when they see it! Your task, as an owner, is to work towards changing the associations your cat has with their carrier, replacing the negative ones with good ones.

Gradually, your cat will come to accept the carrier as being part of their normal, everyday experiences and when this happens, they will be able to remain relaxed around it and in it. By also turning the carrier into a place that is attractive for your cat to sleep in, with their favorite toy and snack included, eventually the bad feelings will be chased away by good ones.

Of course, a trip to the vet is always likely to re-ignite those bad memories to a degree but unfortunately the only way to overcome that is to keep your vet permanently on duty around your home, so he becomes part of the everyday furniture!

Article Source: http://www.myaddirectory.com

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