By: WCPS
When people think of crate-training a pet, they usually think of a dog. However, cats can be crate-trained too. Cats, while a little more finicky than dogs, can be conditioned to use their crate as their hang-out spot just as much as dogs can.
If you plan on flying with your cat, Petmate Cabin Kennel is a great cat-friendly travel carrier. It is built to fit directly under the airline seat in front of you. The Petmate Cabin Kennel is also great for automobile travel as well. The Petmate Cabin Kennel also feature lots of ventilation holes, so that your cat gets a healthy airflow. The Petmate Cabin Kennel also comes in a model with a wire top, so that you can actually look in and interact with your cat while traveling.
The Noz2Noz Pet Suite crates are also great multi-use pet carriers. They feature steel doors that open left or right, and some models also feature an overhead opening as well. Some of these models are airline approved, but it is good to look into the specific airlines to find out their particulars.
Using a crate is probably a part of your regular veterinarian routine. If your cat is familiar with her crate, trips to the veterinarian will be a lot less stressful. Lots of cat owners simply rely on their crate for times when they need to move the somewhere stressful. However, the crate can be a regular part of your cat's life, thereby making it easier for times of travel, both good and potentially tense.
Your cat's crate should be big enough for her to remain comfortable for extended periods of time. One aspect of this might be the inclusion of a litter box. There are disposable litter boxes available by Van Ness that will fit into a cat's crate to add an extra sense of security. Van Ness makes a variety of odor and stain resistant, unbreakable, high impact plastic litter boxes.
Part of the security that a cat may feel about their crate is that cats are territorial and will enjoy their own space. This applies whether in the house or on the road. One idea if you have a full grown cat is to leave a new crate in the room/territory that your cat spends the most time in. That way she will explore it on her own. The idea behind this is what is known as “free access crate training.” Placing treats and toys into the crate will also help to kickstart regular crate use. Even if your cat goes in and pulls the toy or treat out, half of the battle was getting her to go in there in the first place.
Another key issue is to get your cat used to being in this enclosed space. The use an over the counter pheromone like Comfort Zone might just reduce any notions of stress concerning this new object in your cat's space. Feel free to add bedding, lightly sprayed with the pheromone as well.
If you are looking to keep your cat occupied in her crate for an extended period of time, you might also consider hanging a scratching toy from the ceiling. Pieces of carpet for the cat to scratch on are also a good idea.
The Booda Hang-N-Scratch is a good example of a toy to hang in your cat's crate. This toy is made of 100% sisal which removes old claw covers. This removal of old claw covers is why cats scratch in the first place.
Climatizing your cat for a crate should be a pleasurable experience for your cat. Outside of whatever treats you may have already placed inside of the crate, when you go to pet her, have some extras on hand.
Petting your cat while she is in the crate and actually giving her treats while she is inside will be extremely useful in getting your cat used to her crate. Also, as you experiment with shutting the door for short periods of time treats will be a key part of selling this action. This isn't something that should be done immediately. This should be after several days of your cat having the crate in her space and finding that it is a safe place to hang out in. If you close the door on her too quickly, she may not be so anxious to make the crate her hang-out spot.
Innova Cat Treats are perfect for this. Innova Cat Treats are made with elements from all five food groups and are also rich with important fatty acids. As a matter of fact, these treats are evenly cooked so that there is a minimum of value lost from the nutrition as they are being prepared. Innova Cat Treats are also preserved with Vitamin E. These treats are 40% protein and if given sparingly, can be a healthy addition to your cat's diet.
It is very possible to crate-train your cat. Cats aren't the same as dogs, but with the right balancing of treats, attention, and possibly even pheromones, your cat should take to a crate with little or no problem.
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