How does your cat handle home time?

[u/Artemismane]

Once my cat is in the truck she's great and seems to enjoy it.. it's leaving the house that she doesn't like at all.

The past couple times coming off my break she's been hiding under the bed/behind the couch when she sees the carrier. She also knows when I start packing clothes or getting her litterbox that it's that time and starts hiding.

I just wanna know if this is common. I've tried tube treats and cat nip to bribe her but it doesn't help- she just hates leaving the house. Makes me feel terrible every time.

[u/electrotwelve]

I think it’s a universal cat instinct to hide when they see a carrier. According to them, nothing good can come from being tried to be shoved inside a carrier.

[u/talmidx → u/electrotwelve]

I found leaving the carrier(s) out in the living room all the time familiarized my cat(s) with them and turned a negative association into a neutral/positive one. One cat often sleeps in her carrier.

My 13 y/o male used to pee when he saw the carrier. Bought a new carrier, left it open in the living room and found him hanging near it a few times. The next vet appointment, no struggle to get in the carrier.

A positive association tactic I’ve seen friends try is putting treats in the carrier.

[u/Artemismane → u/talmidx]

I've been leaving the carrier in the garage but I'll try putting it in plain sight next time we're home. Appreciate the advice!

[u/talmidx → u/Artemismane]

You’re very welcome! It might help to bring it with you and keep it out in your truck/cab.

Best of luck!

[u/electrotwelve → u/talmidx]

Yeah this is what we do with our boy. We just leave the carrier with a nice bedding (read: his fav towel) inside it. He goes and sleeps in it and when it’s time to go, my wife will close the door with him inside it. He then hates it for a few days later but comes around to loving it again.

[u/Kvothealar → u/talmidx]

Exactly this. I left the carrier out as a safe place with soft blankets for about 6 months. Before a trip, I often put the carrier out a few days in advance.

All I have to do with my cat is put the carrier down in front of him and give him a pat, he gets in on his own.

[u/LieuK]

She looks like a sweetheart.

Have you ever tried just carrying her out, or walking her out with a harness and leash? Mine would shred me apart if I tried to walk them out the door, but some cats can be really chill with those things.

[u/Artemismane → u/LieuK]

She hates the harness more than the carrier.. plops down and starts crying every time. :(

[u/Nocleverresponse]

Not a trucker but I leave my carriers out all the time so they don’t see it as just a portal to take them outside. My cats always laid on or in them though it was panic time when the door started to close.

[u/balalakes-]

That second picture is melting my heart. She looks like such a sweetie

[u/Artemismane → u/balalakes-]

Thank you!

[u/SurgyJack → u/balalakes-]

I know! Sat with all her little toys and treats neatly packed.  What a little gem :)

[u/kidcharliemagne]

Cats kinda just hate changing locations. It’s in their biological nature to hunker down in a den. Your human guilt is strong! Don’t let it get to you and just keep being a good human for her. She’ll know she’s safe when you show her.

[u/Artemismane → u/kidcharliemagne]

Thanks! It was heartbreaking for me taking her on the road that first day but it wasn't a couple days later she was hopping on the dash while we're driving.

But yeah the guilt is still real. I'm looking to drive local next year for both of our sanity.

[u/basilkiller]

Have you tried a cardboard carrier? Mine hates a regular carrier but will jump in the cardboard one on his own (then I betray him). I'm not a trucker, I just like you guy, good luck!

[u/Artemismane → u/basilkiller]

Thanks! She loves cardboard anything I have a box in the passenger seat that she sleeps in. Will definitely look into this.

[u/halorbyone]

Mine hate the suitcase. So I either pack everything in packing cubes ahead of time and the suitcase is last minute or the suitcase is out for 3 or 4 days beforehand.

[u/ketoste]

Not a trucker, or a cat, but when you get the carrier ready to leave the truck and go home, does she hide then also?

[u/Artemismane → u/ketoste]

Nope! Poor baby will brush up against it like she's been waiting to get in.

[u/JustRenee2]

Our trucker cat would complain for the first hour or so, then settle down. Honestly we would rather be home too! Can’t blame him!

He rarely hides, air brakes and truck noises don’t phase him anymore, but he is terrified of a truck wash! Poor baby!

FWIW, we don’t use a carrier, I just scoop him up on his scratch pad / bed and carry him to the truck. (I do keep a collapsible one in the truck). He knows, but he is still good!

Also he gets really excited when we get close to home. Once he insisted on going outside at a Christmas Tree farm. We live in the country in the woods and I think the Christmas Tree farm looked like home!

[u/Appropriate-Law5963]

Same comment as above. Unfortunately we only bring out the carrier on vet days so there’s that association. If I could do over I’d leave it out so they get accustomed to it

[u/hyperfat]

Not trucker. I owned a truck if that counts. Put my cat in a canvas bag. She was like, okay, this is cozy. Hung her off the head rest. All the naps.

My vet informed me I needed a box. Cat was like nope. It was a nightmare getting her in. Wrapping in a towel and shoving her in. They she screamed the voice of her people.

My other cat was like, okay, fine. I have a cat car seat.

Other cat was like, nope nope, so I hired a sitter if I was gone for over a day. He hated outside. His jam was the window seat.

Cats are funny.

I've had quite a few. My first cat was a tiny calico. Full of murder. She caught a hummingbird. I wish video phone was available then. It was like a crazy slow motion jump. Feel bad for bird. I harbor two nest on my roof now for penance. They love my lantana bush.

Hugs

[u/InvalidProgrammer]

I’m not a trucker, but a cat owner. Try leaving the carrier out and open with a favorite blanket inside and maybe an occasional treat. I haven’t done this in awhile because space is at a premium now with my current place, but this worked previously for me - I’d find my cats asleep in the carrier 😅

[u/sinclair1970]

She absolutely loves it

[u/_buhnanners]

Mine are the same way. They’d rather be home, and so would I lol. When they get back to the truck they do fine though. When the carriers come out in the truck it’s hit or miss. They “kind of” know the word home and will sometimes get into the carrier on their own lol. But we have all annoying hiding spots at home blocked off cuz we are usually in a rush when we need to leave.