| Crates are one of the best tools to prevent cat | | | | two separate crates for trips to the vet and |
| stress and damage to a new house. When a cat | | | | home use, so that Poofy doesn't associate being |
| bonds to its crate or carrying cage, it feels secure | | | | popped into a crate with a bad experience. |
| when it is inside, no matter where the crate is | | | | What you want is for the crate to become |
| placed. This article will cover recommended size, | | | | Poofy's preferred sleeping area. Do this by first |
| introduction, usage and crate training tips. | | | | introducing the crate as an interesting new place |
| Many new home owners have been inundated by | | | | to play around and sleep in. Set your cat up by |
| horror stories about cats in new homes. Stains on | | | | not feeding her during the day you bring the crate |
| the new carpets, shredded banisters, meowing at | | | | home. When you set the crate up, don't force |
| all hours of the day and night... it just goes on and | | | | Poofy to come inspect it. Cats are naturally |
| on. I'm happy to say that a lot of these problems | | | | curious and will often voluntarily go into a crate to |
| can be addressed and/or eliminated with the | | | | check it out. Have her favorite blanket and cat |
| humane use of a crate. | | | | treats or a dish of food waiting for her. Feed her |
| Some people view crates as "cruel" because they | | | | something she REALLY likes every day - always |
| restrict a cat's freedom of movement. I am of | | | | with the dish inside the crate. Bungee cord the |
| the opinion that a crate is only cruel when abused. | | | | crate door to the crate body so that it cannot |
| Keeping a cat in a crate all day and all night | | | | possibly shut accidentally and hurt or scare Poofy. |
| without a break to stretch its legs and use the | | | | After a week of this, see if you can get Poofy to |
| litter box is definitely a horrible thing to do. | | | | go into the crate voluntarily. It helps if you don't |
| However, using a crate to strategically restrict | | | | feed her beforehand that day. Don't force her; |
| your cat's freedom will actually help it adjust to its | | | | just carry her to the opening and put something |
| new home and eliminate a lot of stress from your | | | | she especially likes inside. She should go in. If she |
| life. | | | | doesn't, see if you can gently lift her inside. Once |
| Ideally, Poofy will already be accustomed to a | | | | she is in, close the door. She will probably turn |
| crate from kittenhood. Cats can be socialized as | | | | around and try to head for the exit. Immediately |
| well as dogs can, so it's always worth getting | | | | have a piece of the aforementioned Food she |
| Poofy used to riding in the car and riding in her | | | | really likes shoved through the crate grill to meet |
| crate. It helps if Poofy is taken at an early age to | | | | her. If she takes it, great! If not, proceed to the |
| places where there's lots of activity, like shopping | | | | next step, which is opening the door and making a |
| malls and playgrounds. If she's used to being | | | | big fuss over Pooky. If you play with Pookie, |
| taken strange places, she'll be a lot more likely to | | | | have playtime happen right then. Make sure |
| settle down in the new house. | | | | Pookykins knows that she is the best cat in the |
| A good sized crate for Poofy will allow her to go | | | | entire world (she already knows this, but it never |
| inside, turn around, stand up, and lie down. You | | | | hurts to let her know you know). |
| don't want the crate to be any bigger - it's a | | | | Gradually increase the time she spends in the |
| space to relax and sleep, not play or run around | | | | crate with the door closed. Watch her closely - if |
| in. Get the pet supply store person's advice and | | | | she bumps around in the crate and then settles |
| do some research on the best brand of crate to | | | | down, that's good. If she seems stressed, let her |
| accommodate Poofy. You can get away with | | | | out and try again later. If she seems okay with |
| something as simple as a cardboard pet carrier | | | | the procedure, try leaving the room for a minute. |
| carton or you can invest in a plastic/wire crate | | | | Work up to leaving her in there for a couple of |
| that will last several cat lifetimes; it's up to you. | | | | hours. Regularly come by with a treat or dab of |
| If you're introducing a crate for the first time, | | | | food. Some people find that a new product on |
| don't just yell, "WELCOME TO YOUR NEW HOME, | | | | the market, Feliway cat spray, helps cats relax in |
| POOFY!!!", toss Poofy in and leave. This is bad. | | | | the crate. This is a feline pheremone spray that |
| Pooky will be terrified and probably have a | | | | naturally relaxes the cat by mimicking the natural |
| meltdown and never want to go near the crate | | | | chemicals that cats give off when happy with life. |
| again. You may want to go so far as purchasing | | | | |