How to Make A Cat Cage More Comfortable
Cat’s cages should not only be safe and secure but also snug places for them to rest and sleep. It is therefore important to choose a cat cage that will keep your cat comfortable. When a cat’s cage is thoughtfully outfitted with the correct accessories such as snug mats and toys, your cat will have his spot to rest peacefully and comfortably.
Naturally, cats are the most playful and adventurous creatures. This is a trait they inherited from their ancestors, so putting your kitty in a cage can become difficult. Nevertheless, when cage training is done properly, most cats enjoy spending time inside them and they view the crate as their private resting spots. Like our own beds, sofas and chairs, cat cages are also supposed to be comfortable. Depending on your kitty’s age, here are some of the ways to make his cage more comfortable.
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Get the Right Cat Cage
Just like our beds and sofas, both style and sizing for comfort are keys to finding the right cage for your cat. For adult and average cats who are already cage trained, the cage should be large enough for the cat to sleep comfortably and move around with ease. The cage should also have enough room for special toys and treats. For elderly cats, you should use a larger crate so the cat has plenty of room to roam around, stretch and reposition. The ideal cage should have at least two doors, one in front and the other one on the side. With such a cage, your cat gets in and out easily.
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Make the Crate a Cool Place to Hang Out
To change your cat’s scary relationship with his carrier, make it into a comfortable and fun place to hang out. You can do this by taking off the door and replace it with clothing scented with your cat’s favorite smell. Additionally, you can also pet him with a towel and line the bottom of the carrier with it. Familiar, comforting scents are known to reduce stress and make the carrier a little less scary.
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Make the Cat Cage Part of the Furniture
In most cases, people stash their cat carriers in closets or garages until the day when they need to transport their cats somewhere. This shouldn’t be the case. Instead of treating your cat’s cage-like holiday ornaments, cat cages should become part of your furniture and be placed in areas where cats enjoy hanging out in. It is much easier to change your cat’s negative feelings about cages if they become an integral part of their world.
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Lure Him with Treats
Play and food work wonders. Coax your cat into his crate using draws such as catnip, treats, toys and meals. Put a treat that your cat adores near the cage. After eating it, give her another one, this time placing it closer to the entrance. Gradually decrease the distance until she has to reach her paws or head inside the carrier to get it. You can also encourage her to venture further in by tossing treats into the back of the carrier. If all turns well, you can persuade her to be eating her meals inside the cage.
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Keep Him Warm and Comfortable
Keeping your cat warm inside his cage is also very important. For warmer months, introducing a cage fan is important. You’ll be supposed to carefully position the fan in a manner that doesn’t blow directly blow on the animal but instead provides good ventilation. The cat should also be able to move away if he feels too cool or uncomfortable.
Covering the cage at night or during cold weather conditions is also a great option. It’s also important to remember that the cover can cause the crate to heat up so, it should be done if there is someone around to supervise. It’s also important to make sure that the pet gets proper ventilation.
To provide the cat with a soft and cozy place to lie down, you should place a mat or bed inside the cage. Cats love to lie down on soft and warm spots, and with a bed inside his cage, he will always prefer to lie down there. You can also put a towel at the bottom so if the cat urinates, the towel absorbs the wetness and keeps it off your cat as much as possible.
Read: Best Indoor Cat Cages
How to Deal with a Cat Who Truly Hates His Carrier
It might end up being difficult to persuade your cat to change her perception of cages. Help change her opinion by taking it apart. Unlatch and remove the top then convert the bottom into a place she can play, sleep and eat. After she has gotten used to going into the bottom of the carrier, reassemble it and see if she will continue to use it. Step up the amount of time your cat spends inside his crate.
Leave the door open and continue encouraging her to eat snacks inside or take her afternoon naps there. When she is inside, close the door then open it once she is awake. After opening the door, give the treat to reinforce good feelings about the carrier. Do not be in a hurry to get your cat inside the cage. Continue to work with her, gradually increasing the criteria until you can pick up and carry her inside the carrier without complaint.
Read: Best Soft-Sided Cat Carriers
When is Caging a Cat Necessary?
Cats are wanderlust and curious creatures who seem to be fascinated by the world around them. Caging would be a cruel thing to a pet as it suppresses the adventurous side. However, there are several instances where caging a cat would be necessary. Let’s look at some of these situations:
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Introducing a Cat Home
While most cats warm up to new homes right away, others exhibit anti-social behaviors. If you introduce such a cat to your home where there are other residents, an indoor cage will offer the solitary life the cat needs.
Since cats are territorial animals, your new fur baby may experience aggression and intimidation from other kitties in the household.
Caging the newcomer is not only an effective way of preventing confrontations but helps provide the new cat with a safe environment where it feels secure. Slowly, the pets will become acquittances and welcome the newcomer.
Related Post: Cat Litter for Multiple Cats
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Litterbox Training
Fortunately for most cats don’t have a hard time using a litterbox as it is instinctual to use a litterbox. Nevertheless, some cats have bad litterbox habits. This is especially observed in kittens who have picked the bad habits from their mother. To help prevent such a problem, one should cage the mother during infancy.
Having a cage that is sufficient for food, water, a nesting box and a litter box helps instill good behavior in the mother as she is forced to use the litter box. This helps reinforce good manners in the kittens. When you let the kittens out of the cage, they will observe the litterbox manners and so you won’t be worried about finding cat poo behind your furniture.
You May Also Like: Best Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes
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Taming A Feral Cat
Caging is an effective tool for the re-domestication of feral cats. If you are a cat lover and you come to the rescue of an abandoned cat, it would be great to use a cage. This is because feral cats have a hard time blending into a new life.
Caging helps with litterbox training and makes socializing with cats easier. Your goal is to prevent wild behaviors and a cage will surely come in handy. When you need to spay or neuter the feline, caging makes it super easy to catch the cats.
Read: Outdoor Cat Houses for Feral Cats
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Quarantining
Some cat diseases are contagious. To help prevent the spread of such diseases cat cages are very useful. Cat cages help isolate the infected cats from the healthy pups. When you notice any symptoms in one of your cats, isolating him/her from the rest of the felines helps stop the spread of the disease.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cat Cage
Q: How do I Make My Cat Cage More Comfortable?
A: First, get a crate that’s spacious enough for your cat to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably. Put the crate on a flat and stable surface. Put soft and comfy bedding inside and add treats and toys to keep the cat full and entertained.
Q: How Do I Keep My Cat Happy in a Cage?
A: Changing the cage’s position regularly keeps the cat happy. Additionally, introducing treats and toys inside the cage will keep the cat entertained and occupied all through. Make sure that you also keep the cage in a calm and safe place free from loud noise.
Q: How Do You Calm Down a Cat in a Cage?
A: It might take time before your cat gets used to the cage. Give the cat as much time as possible to calm down and get used to the cage. You can take her to a quiet place until she calms down. If you are at home, the bathroom works well.
Conclusion
Cats hate being exposed to new and uncomfortable environments. Cats are different and some change their perception about cages in about a week while others need a few weeks or a couple of months. With the right training, your cat will learn to get comfortable inside the cage. Providing him with a pleasant environment inside the cage will also make him want to stay inside the cage regularly.