The trip to the boarding facility might be an uncomfortable and stressful experience for your pet. Here are some of the best techniques to keep your cat calm when you transport her to her vacation home.
- Before you get in the vehicle, check to see that your pet is safely contained in her carrier and that she will not be able to get out of the carrier while you are driving. It is not only unsafe, but it is also incredibly terrifying for your pet to be in a moving vehicle when you have a cat that is freaking out and racing about the cabin.
- When shopping for a carrier for your cat, look for one that is closed on all sides yet has a door on both the front and the top. Your cat will be able to look out of the front of the carrier, which will prevent her from being disoriented. Additionally, the top of the carrier can be removed, which will make it much simpler to clean.
- Leave the cat’s carrier open with a blanket, some toys, and some food inside well before the time comes when you need to transport your cat. This will encourage your kitty to investigate the carrier and grow used to its surroundings.
- You should line the inside of the carrier with a blanket that has either your fragrance or the scent of your cat on it. By spraying the blanket with a pheromone calmer, which can be obtained from your veterinarian, you may assist to minimize your pet’s nervousness while traveling.
- Do not make the mistake of attempting to force your cat into the front entrance of the carrier when it is time to transport her to the boarding facility! Take off the cover, and then carefully set her inside. Wrap her tightly in a towel that has been sprayed with a calmer and put her in the carrier. If she tries to fight or starts to panic, you should do this. Wait until she has calmed down before softly reinstalling the top of the carrier.
- Put the carrier in the trunk of the vehicle behind the passenger seat, and then fasten a seat belt across it to make sure it doesn’t move about. Talk to your cat and put a towel draped over the top of the carrier to assist keep her calm while you are traveling with her.
- When you go to the cattery, take caution not to knock the carrier against your legs as you carry it from your vehicle to the building housing the cats. When you walk, you should keep one hand on the handle located on the top of the carrier, and use the other hand to keep it from swinging to the side as you walk. If your cat senses that the carrier is wobbly or if she loses her balance and falls over while she is within it, she may get terrified, which might make her difficult to handle.
- Place the carrier on the floor in front of you so that your cat can see you while you are waiting in the reception area of the boarding facility for cats, and continue to speak to her. Your pet will be exposed to a variety of unusual sounds and odors, and you may ease her concern by assuring her that she is in good hands by simply chatting to her.
- Take your cat’s food away from her many hours before you need to transport her. If she has food in her stomach and then gets agitated, she will have a greater propensity to throw up or make a mess in the carrier, which will be quite unpleasant for both you and your pet. In addition, if she is hungry when she is put in her cage at the cattery, she is more likely to rapidly settle in by tucking into a meal after being placed there. This increases the likelihood that she will eat.
- When picking up your cat from the boarding facility after your vacation, be sure to follow the same procedures. When you go back to your house after being gone for a while, it’s a good idea to bring in your pet and keep her there for a day so she can become reacquainted with the place she calls home.
In conclusion:
It’s important to remember that your cat may have a difficult time throughout the trip. Spend some time getting her ready for the trip, and then apply the advice that was provided above to make taking your pet to the boarding facility as stress-free as it can possibly be.
