While crate training with cats is not as common as it is with puppies, it is a good way to make your cat comfortable and safe when transporting them somewhere. Not only is a crate useful when taking your cat on the road, but it can also be a place for your cat to retreat to when faced with unfamiliar and stressful situations.
Unfortunately, crate training a cat can be challenging because most cats fear or associate them with negative things. For felines, the crate can be more of a portable prison than a haven. The mere sight of a crate can be a cue that something bad is about to happen, making preparing your cat for their crate nearly impossible.
Fortunately, with a little patience, most cats can be trained to appreciate and love a crate. Here are tips on how to go about it.
The 8 Tips for Crate Training a Cat
If you want to teach your cat to treat a crate as part of their kingdom, the following strategies can make the transition easier for both of you. These tips can be used individually or combined to make a crate more appealing to your furry companion.
Please note that in this article, the term ‘cat crate’ is referring to a small transport unit, and your cat shouldn’t be housed in them for extended periods of time. They should only be used for transporting your cat (for example: to the vet).
1. Move Meals Inside
Leave a trail of your cat’s favorite treats leading up to the crate, or simply serve your cat their meals while inside the crate. During this training stage, leave the crate door open to reduce your cat’s fear of being trapped.
If your cat is reluctant to have meals inside the crate, place the food bowl or treats as close to the crate door as possible. However, ensure the food is far away enough so that your cat will be willing to move closer to eat it.
With each feeding session, move the food closer to the crate while ensuring your kitty is comfortable with the change. When your nervous cat finally ventures inside, remove the top until they are finally comfortable enough to eat inside the base of the crate.
2. Close the Crate Door
Get your cat to stay inside a crate by offering a treat or a toy while they are inside. Once your cat is relaxed and playing with the toy, close the crate door for a few minutes, then reopen it before they get distracted away from the treat. Gradually increase the time that the crate door stays closed.
If your cat gets nervous when you close the door, keep the intervals short. Close it for only a few seconds and open it to reassure the cat that it’s not a trap.
3. Add a Cue
Getting a panicked cat into a crate can be quite a struggle. Fortunately, you can counter this by training your cat to willingly go inside a crate in several ways. First, teach your cat to follow a hand or stick a target into a crate. Alternatively, you can use a toy or treat to lure your cat into a crate.
Whichever approach you opt for, the best way of getting your cat into the crate when commanded is to pair a hand signal or verbal cue with the treat. This indicates that your cat will be rewarded whenever he or she gets into the crate.
For instance, you can say the word “in” and immediately put a treat inside the crate. Over time, your cat will associate the verbal cue with treats.
4. Encourage Exploration
Instead of letting your cat’s crate gather dust in the attic or basement between vet visits, you should consider leaving it out and treating it as a piece of friendly and fun furniture. This will encourage your cat to get comfortable and familiar with the sight of the crate.
You can randomly drop new toys and treats into the crate during the day, even when your cat is not around. The treats will encourage your cat to explore the crate to see what more delights await inside.
If your cats are overly affectionate, you can pet them while inside, making the crate a good spot for attention-seeking.
5. Be Mindful of the Associations a Cat Has With Their Crate
If you only put the cat into a crate when going to a groomer, the vet, or some other place that your cat may not particularly enjoy, they will likely not like the crate.
One great behavior modification technique for cats with bad associations with crates involves putting the cat into a crate and moving from one room to another without leaving the house. You can even go for a short drive and then return home. This will distract the cat from the negative associations.
Then, try getting your cat into a crate and visiting places that they might enjoy.
6. Build on Repetition
To get positive results, create a routine by crate-training your cat at least once a day for two weeks. Continue building up the training time until your cat increases the time spent inside the crate.
Once the cat can calmly stay inside the crate for more than 10 minutes, pick up the crate while they are still inside and carry it around. Then let your cat out of the crate.
You can also take the crate to the car while they are still inside, talk to your cat for a few minutes, then bring them back inside and release them.
Always remember to offer a treat afterward. Soon, you will be able to take your cat for car rides inside their crate without your cat throwing a fit. The cat will also learn to associate the crate with good things, not just the dreadful vet visits.
7. Lure Your Cat With Pheromones
If food, toys, or treats do not lure your cat into a crate, you can try using pheromones. Since cats have a very keen sense of smell, and are naturally curious, if you spray some store-bought cat-safe pheromones inside a crate, they will naturally want to investigate.
8. Try a Large & Comfortable Crate
The crate size will contribute to the cat’s overall safety and comfort. Some cats simply refuse to accept a transport cage no matter what you do. In such a circumstance, you might have to go bigger. Use a crate that is spacious enough to accommodate your cat’s food and water dishes and the litter box while leaving enough room for a separate sleeping area.
A large dog kennel can be ideal because it is large enough to give your cat enough space while still small enough to fit into your house.
- Easy to clean
- Durable
- Large enough for your cat to comfortably lay down, turn, stand, and stretch in.
- Well ventilated
- Handles or straps for easy transportation
- Multiple ways to access your cat (example: from the front, rear, and above)
- Easily dismantled and reassembled
You can convert a simple and plain crate into your cat’s chill spot by lacing your cat’s bed on one side of the crate and the litter box on the opposite side. You should also include a non-spill water dish since cats need access to clean water at all times.
Conclusion
As you can see, crate training a cat can be beneficial for you and your feline companion. However, you cannot expect your cat to jump into a crate willingly without being socialized to. If you force them inside a crate, it will only create a negative experience for them.
Even though it might be challenging, never give up on crate training your cat because pets should always ride in a carrier or crate when traveling in a car to minimize distractions and possible escapes. Granted, some cats may never get comfortable and happy in a cage and may end up fussing and stressing until you let them out.
Most importantly, do not rush the training expecting immediate results. Give it plenty of time and remember to prioritize your cat’s comfort, and safety throughout the training process.
Featured Image Credit: Evgeniya Tomashevskaya, Shutterstock
