What do you do when your feline friend isn’t keen on getting into the car? It might seem like an impossible challenge, but with a little bit of help from their owners, it’s not that hard to get them excited about car rides once again. The key is to make sure you offer your cat a fun and exciting way to travel that doesn’t involve them sitting in one place for long periods of time.
It can be tempting to just force them in there and drive away, but doing so just makes the entire experience feel unnatural for your cat. Instead, try taking a few simple steps with your kitty before embarking on any car ride together:
Make sure your cat’s environment is familiar
You don’t want your cat to be confused and/or worried when you pick them up in a new place. Make sure there are lots of cozy cat beds, toys, and places where they can hide and relax while you’re at home so they’re not feeling like they’re in a strange environment when you bring them into your car.
You can also make it a point to spend some extra time playing with your cat whenever you can so they know they’re a priority in your life. This will make it easier for them to trust you when it comes time to get into your car.
Try a short ride to start with
Once you’ve worked through your kitty’s unfamiliarity with a new environment, pick a short car ride to try. Maybe make it just around the block or to the neighbor’s house. Pick something that’s short enough that it doesn’t feel like a big deal to your cat, but long enough that it feels like a fun outing.
Keep in mind that a short car ride can still be a very exciting experience for your cat if you do it in an environment that they’re used to so make sure you’re doing it in a familiar place.
Be patient – your cat needs to be ready!
If you’ve picked a short car ride, your kitty will probably be excited to go at first. That excitement is going to fade quickly, though, if you try to force them into the car. In fact, it might make them feel even more nervous and confused! If you’ve picked a short ride, try to restrain yourself from forcing your cat into the car as soon as you see them. Let them get used to being in their environment and avoid picking them up right away.
There are a couple of things you can do, though. First, pick up their toys and bedding. Cats see these things as a way to interact with you, so they’ll associate you with these things and not be as confused when you pick them up.
Second, try feeding your cat before you go to make sure they’re getting something before you leave. You can also feed them right before you pick them up if you’re trying to avoid them having to wait long while you finish up.
Offer treats on short rides
If you’re picking your cat up and dropping them back off at their home, you can also try offering them a piece of chicken, some canned cat food, or a piece of dry food while you’re on your way to the car. This will help them get a little boost of energy while they wait for you to get in and make it feel a little less like a long wait for them. You can also try offering your cat a treat before you get into the car.
This will help them associate the car with treats and make it feel less like a long wait for them. Pick a treat that your cat loves and that has a strong smell so they have something to focus on while they wait. This can help ease their anxiety while they’re waiting and make it feel less like a long wait.
Don’t forget about daily trips too!
Finally, make sure you don’t forget about daily trips, too. Cats are hard-wired to want to be carried when they want to go places, so try to pick up your kitty for a daily walk before you leave for work or pick up your cat for a nap when you get home from work. This will help keep their daily routine going and make it feel less like a long wait for them when you pick them up.
Cats are naturally wary of new things, and they’re also very sensitive to their owner’s moods, making it important to keep them happy when you’re away from home. Keeping your cat’s mind off their time away will make it feel less like a long wait for them when you pick them up, and it will also help keep their spirits up if they’re feeling anxious about being away from home.
Conclusion
You don’t have to feel like your cat is attacking you when you pick them up. By picking up your cat before you leave and using treats, toys, and toys around the car, you can make car rides feel less like a long wait for your cat and more like an exciting outing.
By picking up your cat before you leave and using treats, toys, and toys around the car, you can make car rides feel less like a long wait for your cat and more like an exciting outing. Pick a short ride, feed your cat, and play with their toys before you go to make the ride feel less like a long wait for them when you pick them up.
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