How To Get Your Cat Used To The Car
Getting your cat used to the car requires patience, training, and above all; lots of practice. Unlike dogs, cats need to be in stable environments and the car is not the most suitable for that. The vibrations, noises and movements make the trip a nuisance for the cats.
Despite this, pet owners can train their pets to get used to this kind of environment. This will help transport when we go to the vet; and it will even allow us not to leave our pet alone at home.
Some cats even tolerate long trips, favoring them to accompany us on vacation. For all that, below you will have some advice to get your cat used to the car.
It is necessary to familiarize yourself with the car
With the car, cats experience something like water. Ideally, introduce them slowly and create a series of conditions that allow them to adapt to change. The first thing to do to get your cat used to the car is to get him into the vehicle; off.
We can do this two or three times as a kind of tests; without starting the engine or shifting into gear. This way, the animal will be able to get used to the closed space. But beware, the owner must always accompany the feline.
Also, we must always put our pet in a shipping crate. Another option is to put on a collar; which will require prior training. As we all know, these cats are very sensitive to the types of contact and environments we subject them to.
Get your cat used to the car: leveling up
After a few sessions with the car stopped, it’s time to introduce the elements that can upset the cat. We’re talking about the engine noise and the starter. Both elements can produce feelings of anguish and fear in these animals.
The first step is to start the engine when the car is not running yet. In this case, it will be necessary to have the animal under control, very close, so that it feels accompanied. The reaction may change depending on the sound. This exercise can be done two or three times before the first walk.
After this first test, it will be time to take the first walks. They should be short and done at a moderate speed. The ideal is to keep the windows closed; so that the cat doesn’t run away.
Positive reinforcement: the rewards
Once we start the difficult part, which is the car ride itself, we should reward good behavior. So, after the journey is completed, we need to offer the animal a reward. That way, our pet will associate the car with something positive, in this case the reward.
In the beginning, the best rewards for the cat are two: giving him a toy he likes or food. The problem with food is that we must wait for the end of the journey so that he doesn’t get sick.
If our cat is often nauseated or has eating problems, giving him a toy he likes will be more than enough to reinforce the positive attitude. At first, the kitten will accept travel in search of the reward, but will soon get used to it.
Advice for taking a cat in the car
Walking along the roads with our little friend will force us to take some preventive measures. Our new routine should include the following points:
- No food before the trip: the correct thing is not to feed the animal two hours before the trip. The same should happen on longer routes and we should only feed it at longer stops.
- Always use the transport box: even when the cat is used to it, it is advisable to use this equipment. In addition, the box must be secured to the bank. In case of braking or an accident, the transport box can come loose and injure the animal.
- Interact with the animal when you can: if the transport box has enough space, put a blanket and even a toy. Pet the cat and make contact with it whenever the car stops.
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