sitting in carrier

So we took PJ to the vet about 2 weeks ago for bloodwork. She's a happy, healthy, normal cat. She freaks out at anything that has to do with the carrier - when she hears it being moved, whether it's being put away, or being opened for Teddy instead of her.

When we brought her home last time, we left the carrier out - she has to go back in a month, and we didn't want to freak her out by making noise and closing it. Last night, I found her sitting in it! Napping, cleaning - I gave her treats and she ate them, etc. This cat used to pee when we put her in there, and she screams when we put her in too. We've left it out and open for extended periods of time before, but she has never expressed interest in it before.

Does this mean anything? She's comfortable and so sweet in there.... has anyone's cat done this - and if so, are they okay with being put in the carrier after they've used it as a bed? We're so perplexed - but happy about it - thought I'm a worrywart and wonder if she's trying to tell me something.

Our cat HATES the vet, and HATES car rides, and HATES his carrier. Over the last couple of years he had some illnesses that required fairly extensive medical care. On each occasion, just prior to the point that we realized that he was not doing well, he started putting himself in the carrier. We interpreted that as him informing us that he needs to go to the vet.

However, it's probably just that this was a small enclosed safe place that he felt like no one would pester him. But we preferred to think he was trying to tell us something.

I wouldn't be alarmed if her behavior is otherwise normal though. As far as I can tell, the most predictable thing about cats is that from time to time they tend to adopt new favorite behaviors and new favorite locations. I can't tell you how many times Ozone has decided that he *only* wants to drink his water from some new and different and bizarre location (fortunately, he is no longer preferring to drink it from a bathroom tap that is running into my hand! that was both cold and inconvenient).

Oliver HATES being shoved in his carrier cuz he knows it means he's goin in the car... but i've ALWAYS left it open and accessable to him (it's soft-sided with a blankie in the bottom) and a lot of times when I'm not around he curls up in there (I find clumps of kitty hair and some tracked litter in it that wasnt there before and when he lived with my parents, my mom caught him sleeping in it a few times)... I think it's like a box to them - close and confined, so it's comfy and safe... he still hates being forced into it though... silly cat

You should never force them in. You should always gently take them, and put them in the carrier, or put something in the carrier that they will want on their own. A lot of the time, the owner is stressed about the upcoming vet visit, and it shows in the owner's scent and voice. The cat will quickly pick up on the bad vibes and become stressed and uncooperative.

My cats often sleep in their cat carrier as I made sure they would like it, so if I ever have to use it they won't hate it!

I encouaged mine to play in and around the carrier from the very first day so she never associated it only with negative things. I have a blanket in there which smells like her and often toss her favorite toys in there for her to get. or treats for her to hint down. She has never objected to going in there.

Originally Posted by hissy

You should never force them in. You should always gently take them, and put them in the carrier, or put something in the carrier that they will want on their own. A lot of the time, the owner is stressed about the upcoming vet visit, and it shows in the owner's scent and voice. The cat will quickly pick up on the bad vibes and become stressed and uncooperative.

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That's great in theory, but what if the cat will not allow you to gently take them, nor get in the carrier themselves? What if while you're trying to gently take them, and talking to them softly, and petting them, they see the carrier and take off under some furniture? I wish we could just explain to them what's going on. I think it's the uncertainty that causes them anxiety. Both of mine carry on something fierce, but once they get to the vet all they want to do is get off the table and nose around.

Originally Posted by Misty8723

That's great in theory, but what if the cat will not allow you to gently take them, nor get in the carrier themselves?

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I think you have to make a concerted effort to everyday lure your cat into the carrier with food, a toy a treat, then close the door for a second and then open it up right away and give it a treat.

I kept mine tied open near her food so she got used to seeing it all the time. Maybe you need to get a new carrier and start afresh because the other one is associated with awful time. And then this needs to be a program almost like toilet training a child or when you were teaching your cat to come to his/her name. The cost of a new carrier and training your cat to feel good about it would be worth the money to me.