Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties:

I have trouble taking my cat to the vet. She runs from me and then when I catch her to put her in the carrier, she gets all her claws out and lets me have it. Help! Is there an easier way to do this? Also, once she’s locked in the carrier, she pees and poops all over herself. Makes for a nice visit to the vet.

~ Syndie

Siouxsie: Well, Syndie, most of us cats don’t like the carrier or trips to the vet. But we know there are times when it’s necessary. To make it easier for both you and your cat, you’re going to have to retrain your cat to accept the carrier. And we’ll tell you how.

Thomas: We assume you have a plastic carrier with a wire door on the end. If not, we recommend that you get one. It’s easier to use and easier to clean, both of which are good for cats like yours who don’t like to travel and tend to make messes in the carrier.

Dahlia: You’re going to have to go slow and steady to reintroduce your cat to her carrier, particularly because she’s been so traumatized by her carrier experiences.

Siouxsie: Start by cleaning the carrier very well to remove any residue of old urine and feces odors. Don’t just clean the bottom half of the carrier; take it apart and clean the whole thing from top to bottom, inside and out. Remember to clean door and the fasteners that clip the carrier together, too.

Thomas: Use hot water and dish detergent and a dish cloth or soft sponge. Rinse all the pieces very well to get any soap residue off. Then do a second rinse with white vinegar and lukewarm water (one part vinegar to two parts water should be fine) to lift cat urine oils that might have gotten into the plastic. Rinse the carrier very well once again, and if possible let all the parts dry outdoors for a day or so.

Dahlia: Now the training part begins. Put the carrier in a corner of your living room. Take the door off — or if you can’t remove the door without taking the carrier apart, secure the door so it stays open. Put a towel in the bottom. Then just go about your business for several days, leaving the carrier there and getting your cat used to the idea that it’s just another piece of furniture.

Siouxsie: After it’s been out for a few days, play with your cat in the area around the carrier using her favorite interactive toy — a thing on a string or a feather wand toy, for example. Do this at least once a day. This is helping your cat to associate pleasant activities with being near the carrier. Don’t bring the toy too close to the carrier itself, though.

Thomas: Next, put a few treats in front of the carrier, but at a safe enough distance away from it so your cat feels safe. Once she’s accepted those treats, put the next treats a little bit closer. Then put a treat on each side of the carrier and a couple in front.

Dahlia: Don’t rush this step, though. You may want to take a couple of days with each stage of the treat process. If there’s a point where she won’t get close enough to the carrier to take the treats, back off and put the treats where they were the day before. It’s really important to go slowly here, because you’ll need to make sure she trusts you for the next part.

Siouxsie: The next day, put a couple of treats right in front of the carrier. The next day, put them on the edge of the carrier’s door frame. Each time, move the treats a little bit farther into the carrier. During this stage of training, be sure that the carrier is the only place your cat gets treats. If you have roommates or family members, they should also agree not to give her any treats outside the carrier.

Thomas: Once your cat is going in and out of the carrier and it’s no big deal, you can put the door back on. Then when she goes in to eat a treat, close the door, count to five, and then open it again. Give her a treat and play with her as soon as she comes out. Do this a few times so she gets used to the closed door.

Dahlia: Next, put a treat in the carrier and when your cat goes in, close the door, walk a few steps, put it back down, and open the door. Follow this with play time, a treat, or dinner. Practice this step every day, each time walking a little farther. Talk soothingly to your cat and hold the carrier as still as you can.

Siouxsie: Once your cat is no longer terrified of the carrier, you can try putting her in there yourself. Pick her up and gently guide her in. Don’t shove her inside. Keep the experience positive and reward her each time.

Thomas: Once she’s reached this stage, you can get her used to traveling in her carrier by taking her in the car for short rides. Start by just going around the block and home again. Reward her as soon as you get home. Increase the distance you travel gradually.

Dahlia: By taking your cat for brief rides, you’ll be helping her to understand that the carrier doesn’t always mean a trip to the vet. You can sometimes even bring her to the vet for something other than a checkup; for example, stop by and let the staff pet and greet her. This will help her get used to the hospital smells and form good associations with the vet clinic.

Siouxsie: Also, try spraying one squirt of Feliway spray in the carrier before you go on a car trip. This product is a synthetic version of “happy cat” pheromones and can be very helpful in reducing stress.

Thomas: After you’ve gotten her trained to the carrier, get in the habit of taking it out and setting it up with the door open at least a day before you need to take your cat anywhere in it. Mama does that to us, and darned if it doesn’t get us every time! Humph!

Dahlia: And if you need to get an uncooperative cat into the carrier in a hurry, behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett offers this tip: Spray one squirt of Feliway in the carrier half an hour before loading. Stand the front-entry plastic carrier on its end so the opening is now on top. Hold your cat by the scruff of the neck with one hand and hold her hind legs with the other. Quickly and carefully lower her into the carrier, hind end first. As soon as she’s in, quickly let go of the scruff and close the door, being careful not to slam it on her paws or ears. Latch the door quickly, before she has a chance to lunge at it. Then slowly upright the carrier back into its normal position.

Siouxsie: Two more quick tips. First, to minimize the amount of poop and pee your kitty can eject into her carrier, try to feed your cat at least an hour before you need to leave. Cats generally do their business within half an hour of so of a meal.

Thomas: Consider lining the carrier with dog urine pads (they sell them at pet stores) rather than towels because they’ll absorb urine better than towels and make cleanup of urine and feces easier.

Dahlia: Good luck, Syndie. Please let us know how you fare in getting your kitty used to the box!

Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties:

We are going to have to give our beloved cats, Kala and Bansi, away because we are going to Afghanistan to work with an NGO on a humanitarian relief project. We really want to give my cats to my father-in-law, who lives in a different country, because we know he adores animals and will move heaven and earth to take care them. This is a home where pets are in charge and cosseted in the most shameful ways, and I know that if they can adapt to their new life, their living situation will be superior to the cramped life of a New York apartment cat.

The problem is that he lives in a large house with an open floor plan and an interior patio and many places that lead directly outside. There is no way to keep them locked in the house until they adapt to their surroundings unless they get locked up in a small bedroom, the only room that you can close off completely. I’m afraid that if they’re put in this room they’ll be alone and suffer and never want to stay once they’re let out. But if they’re allowed to wander free, I’m afraid they’ll run off in terror and never be seen again. How can I get my two house cats to acclimate themselves to a completely new environment, in a new country where they can wander out of the house at will?

~Alexandra

Siouxsie: First of all, Alexandra, we think it’s wonderful that you’re going to a country where there’s such great need and where you’re going to do work that has such benefit. It’s too bad you can’t take your cats with you, but we hear Afghanistan is scary for kitties! It sounds like you’re doing your best to make sure they have a wonderful home, and we think we have some tips that will help your kitties to settle in at your father-in-law’s home.

Thomas: We’re sure you already know this, but for the benefit of our other readers, we should say that before you travel to another country with your cats, you should always check your destination country’s requirements for health certificates and other documentation and make sure you have all that paperwork in order. The logistics of getting pets cleared for international travel are, in fact, probably more complicated than the logistics of getting yourselves to Afghanistan and cleaning out your current home! This information can often be found on the websites of that country’s consulate.

Dahlia: Be sure the airline you’re using will accept pets and that you have everything ready for their care as well. Your airline will have that information at its website, as well as info about extra fees for traveling pets. You may also want to speak to a customer service representative in person to ensure that the website is correct and up to date. Be sure that your tickets and reservations specifically state that you have cats traveling with you and that all the proper requirements have been met.

Siouxsie: Now, on to the business of settling your cats in at their new home. You’ll want to make sure your cats are microchipped (this is a requirement for cats traveling overseas anyhow, as we recall) and that the microchip registry has the contact information for your father-in-law. That way if your cats do escape and they’re found by a shelter, they’re much more likely to find their way back home.

Thomas: Do your research before getting the microchip to make sure the chip broadcasts at a frequency commonly used in the destination country (some American-made microchips don’t).

Dahlia: We’d like to assuage your worries about keeping your cats in a small room for some time after their arrival. Cats are creatures of habit, and all this travel and then being in a new home is going to be tremendously stressful for them. They’ll probably be relieved to spend a few days in that small room so they can get used to the smells and sounds of their new home.

Siouxsie: If you’re going to visit with your in-laws for a few days before heading on to Afghanistan, make use of that time to give your cats plenty of love and introduce them to their new caretakers. It will ease the transition for them if they can have you present for a little while.

Thomas: The small room holding period is important because it helps your cats get their internal bearings — not just in terms of smells and sounds and sights, but in terms of resetting their internal “compass” to their new home. This is especially necessary as their new home is going to be many thousands of miles away from their current one.

Dahlia: They’ll probably start their new life by acting anxious: hiding under the beds and resisting affection, for example. But as they regain their confidence they’ll gradually become more outgoing again. Your in-laws will be able to tell when they’re ready to start exploring the house and the environs by the fact that Kala and Bansi will be more eager to greet them and may even try to duck out the door between their feet.

Siouxsie: This could take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. And, of course, while the cats are in their room, your in-laws should take the time to be in the room with them. Even if they don’t want to come out from under the bed, they can hang out in the room reading, watching TV, knitting, writing, or whatever they want to do. The cats will get used to their presence that way and will feel less lonely.

Thomas: Be sure that your in-laws feed the cats in portions rather than leaving food out all day. This will help the cats get used to coming back home at particular times of the day for their meals.

Dahlia: We’re confident that everything’s going to work out okay. Your cats may find that they’re not especially fond of going outside into the wild, particularly since they have a lovely, safe indoor patio where they can enjoy the sun and fresh air.

Siouxsie: As long as you get all your documentation in order and your in-laws let them get oriented toward their new home by keeping them indoors for a little while, we think Kala and Bansi will enjoy a wonderful new life with your in-laws.

Today we’ve got a special treat for you! Our kitty friend Asti Spumanti is celebrating her 20th birthday today. She’s the oldest and most well-traveled cat we’ve ever known, and we want to share some of her wisdom and tales of her amazing life, so we interviewed Asti and her person, KK. We hope you enjoy reading this as much as we enjoyed talking to them.

This is Asti when she was 2 years old. She hasn't changed a bit since then. We're sure she's got more gray furs, but she disguises them well in her beautiful tortoiseshell coat.

Siouxsie: Asti, where were you born? What was it like living there?

Asti: I was born in Panama. We guess my Mamma was the pet of someone in one of the four services, as my kk found me in a cage, five weeks old, at the Corozol kennel in the Panama Canal region where all animals entering the country must be kenneled for thirty days. My kk couldn’t take home her SheRa (that damned dog I’ve long outlived), so she said she had to adopt me. She was lonely.

My kk was so worried that a dangerous animal would grab me if I wandered on the Howard AFB, where she lived when I was just a kitten, so I stayed inside the house all the time. That awful dog stayed outside on a leash, mostly fight/playing with the coatimundis. I didn’t miss the dog!

Thomas: Your KK says you’re a very well-traveled cat. Where have you lived?

Asti: I’ve been to so many places it will take a moment to recall them all … hmm, as I said, my life started at that cage in Corozol and the list goes like this: From Howard Air Force Base in Panama, I flew to North Carolina, and then to Rapid City, South Dakota for a visit with kk’s old friends, and then we went to Fresno, California.

I lived in Merced, Atwater, and Fresno for a few years, then I went into a pet carrier and we crossed the United States to live in Van Buren, Maine. Then kk moved to New Hampshire where I joined her for two months nine years ago. We went back to Van Buren for a few months till in the middle of a blizzard, after many family arguments, kk drove us through a blizzard to move to Northport, Maine.

While kk was moving again, I lived on Islesboro for about four months, then finally — and screaming all the way as I always do — I moved home to Swanville, where I live today.

Dahlia: And what were your favorite and least favorite places to live?

Asti: Ah, my favorite places … hmm, it’s a toss-up between Van Buren and here at home. In Van Buren I was younger, more willing to walk farther, and I loved my sunny bedroom upstairs where I could avoid those nosey dogs.

Here, I’m on my throne in my comfy room, and my kk brings my meals and water, and cleans away my litter. I do like my life here, and all the affection I get from the kids I like. I usually do not like kids, but these little girls come softly and pet gently, who could ask for more?

My least favorite place was that apartment in Winston, just outside Merced, where the neighbor girl grabbed me by by my back legs and carried me into the kitchen when kk wasn’t watching her. I hated that kid! It’s why I hide and have stayed hidden my whole life. kk was talking to her mother, and, well, kids are kids. Who knew hiding would become my favorite sport?

Siouxsie: I just turned 14, so I wonder, what’s it like to be 20 years old? How do you feel these days?

Asti: These days I just like to sit on my throne. I like to be visited and have company. I don’t do much more than sleep and purr. I do not like to travel, ever. I prefer to walk to wherever I am going, and not far. I dream a lot. I get my favorite food delivered on time. I get gentle, quiet, comfy days with occasional guests and lots of love. Mostly, I go slow, but who’s rushing? Life is grand.

Thomas: Asti, we’d like to ask your person some questions if you don’t mind.

Asti: I suppose.

Dahlia: Thank you, Asti. So KK, you’ve been Asti’s caretaker since she was a kitten. What inspired you to adopt her?

KK: I needed someone to love and sweet little baby Asti cried in her cage. I could not resist. I’ve never regretted the urge.

Siouxsie: Well, that’s a very respectable reason to adopt a kitty! We all know that cats are great at filling holes in people’s hearts. So, sometimes as cats get older, they get sick or need extra medical attention. How healthy is Asti?

KK: Asti has a heart murmur. The vet said she couldn’t fly anymore about six years ago. But even with a heart murmur, Asti is still quite healthy. She has all her teeth. The vet said she has great teeth even for her age. She has good attitude except when she’s been without attention for too long, and rightfully, she meows with a scream. She’s so loving and fun, even when she’s quiet, but especially when she’s purring and tossing herself at my chest for love.

Thomas: Has Asti had any behavior problems as she’s aged?

KK: Besides her refusal to participate in life outside of her room, she does not ride in the car well despite the number of journeys she’s made in her lifetime. She’s screaming when we drive down the drive, and has passed something very, very strong smelling by the time we arrive at the vets. But I soothe her, clean up her fear poop, and treat her with the delicate and loving hand she deserves.

Dahlia: I don’t blame her. I hate riding in the car! I scream and cry the whole time too. And sometimes I even mess my crate. *sniffle*

Siouxsie: What kind of special accommodations are you making to meet Asti’s physical and/or emotional needs?

KK: Well, the fact that Asti refuses to come out of her room and sit in my lap has been a little sad for me, and probably sad for her. Sometimes I wrap her in a blanket and carry her to sit in my lap in the living room, and she seems not to know where she is, till she peeks that is.

But she’s spoiled and well cared for. Everything she needs is carried to her. She has her own room. The dogs and children are not allowed to harass her at any time. She is loved, petted, visited often, and respected. I come to lay down with her every night till she wants to go to her pad to sleep apart, then I go lay down with hubby. It’s our tucking-in routine. Everyone sleeps better.

Thomas: How has Asti helped you as you’ve spent your lives together?

KK: She’s been my constant companion. She’s been a reason for me to care for and look after a “little” one, and it is my duty in life to love the little things. I consider loving her in every way she requires an honor, and a challenge to my spiritual responsibilities in life.

Dahlia: That’s so sweet, KK. What a wonderful mama Asti has! How has your relationship with Asti changed as she’s aged?

KK: Our friendship has deepened, and I now understand how a cat can laugh. That takes time to discover.

Siouxsie: What’s the thing you cherish most about Asti?

KK: She loves me with all her heart, and that’s more than anyone can say about humans.

Thomas: Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about Asti?

KK: Asti is my hero. Once when she was young and I was having problems with a family member who was leaving me and sitting at my kitchen table talking mean to me, she climbed into his lap. He said, “Look, Asti still loves me.” (As if I didn’t.) And she promptly peed all over his lap. I remember that with a smile. Some wrongs just deserve the truth. Leave it to the cat to show it.

Dahlia: Tee hee hee! That’s wonderful, KK! Thank you, and thank you Asti, for sharing your story with us. We hope you’re having a wonderful birthday and that you have many more!

Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties:

I recently had to evacuate my apartment temporarily, with my two cats, as a result of a fire in the building next door. It occurred to me later that even though I got the cats out OK and I have an idea of how you’re supposed to prepare for evacuating with cats, I don’t know everything. I think it would be a great service to your readers (and to me, if I have to evacuate with my cats again) to write about what cat caretakers need to do in order to be prepared for disasters.

~Adrianna

Siouxsie: You make a very good point, Adrianna. This is really important information, and very few cat caretakers prepare for evacuating with their cats, even if they do think about it.

Thomas: You’ll need to do some crucial planning and preparation long before a disaster occurs, because once that disaster is happening you’re not going to have the time or the ability to get this stuff together.

Dahlia: First, make sure your cats have collars with tags that include your current contact information. Mama put our names on the front of our tags and her cell phone number on the back. Better yet, make sure your cats are microchipped; cats can easily lose their collars because cat collars are designed to break apart if they get hung up in branches or other dangers.

Siouxsie: Modern microchip scanners can detect most types of chips, and most animal shelters in the US have microchip scanners. If you do have your cats microchipped, you must be sure to register your cats with the company’s registry (a lot of people don’t) and that you keep your registry entry updated with your most current contact information.

Thomas: Plan ahead for a safe haven for your cat. Many Red Cross shelters don’t accept pets. Talk to family members and friends outside your immediate area to see if you can bring your cats with you in the event that you need to escape from a disaster. Check for hotels and motels outside your immediate area that allow pets or ask your vet for references to preferred pet boarding facilities.

Dahlia: Get a free pet rescue sticker from the ASPCA to put on your front and back doors. Local pet stores may also sell these stickers.  If you’re evacuating and it’s safe to do so, please write EVACUATED on your pet rescue sticker with a permanent marker.

Siouxsie: Make sure you have one carrier for each cat. This carrier should have enough room for your cat to stand or lie down at full length, and some rescue groups say your carrier should be big enough to keep a litter pan inside. We think it’s more important that the carriers are easy to manage, especially if you have more than one cat. Each carrier should have your cat’s name and your contact information written on it in permanent marker.

Thomas: Put together a “GOD (Get Out of Dodge) bag” for your cats as well as for yourself. Your GOD bag should be easily accessible, as close to the exit as possible, easy to carry, and water-resistant or waterproof. This evacuation kit should include:

• A list of emergency contact phone numbers and addresses of pet-friendly hotels and motels
• Photocopies of your cats’ veterinary records — or, at the very least, proof of vaccinations (if you need to board your cat, proof of vaccination will be required)
• Description of your cats’ feeding and medication requirements
• Recent photos and descriptions (including any special markings or identifying details) of your cats, preferably with you or your family, in case you become separated
• Disposable litter pans, either with litter or without (if you get the kind without litter, be sure to include a small bag of your preferred brand of litter in your evacuation kit)
• Collapsible food and water dishes for each cat
• A seven-day supply of food for each cat (canned food should be in pull-top cans)*
• A seven-day supply of bottled water for you and for each cat*
• A two-week supply, in a waterproof container, of any medications your cat needs to take*
• A pet first aid kit (these are available at pet stores or through the ASPCA) and first aid manual
• Extra bedding
• Paper towels
• Hand sanitizer
• Liquid dish soap
• A blanket and a couple of toys for each cat
• Garbage bags (for clean-up)

* Food, water, and medications should be replaced every two months.

Dahlia: We know this seems like a lot of preparation to make, but trust us — if you ever need it, you’ll be glad you did!

Siouxsie: The New York State Emergency Management Office offers a printable PDF flyer with an excellent guide to pet safety in a variety of emergency situations. It’s free, and we highly recommend that all cat lovers download and print this document as a reference.

Thomas: We hope you never need to use your evacuation plan, but especially if you live in a disaster-prone area, it’s critical that you be prepared to get your pets safe as well as yourself and your human family.  If a situation is not safe for you, it’s not safe for your cats, so please don’t leave them behind!

Dahlia: Thank you for bringing this up, Adrianna. You’re awesome!