Crate Training Your Cat

Training your cats when they are kittens to go into a crate is a method for providing your cat with a safe and secure den environment.

A few of my cat photos.  I use crates for rescues, and for cats that are ill.  I also have taught all cats to not fear the crate.  The crate is their safe place and is where they go to sleep or when they are frightened, such as when there is a thunderstorm. 

Every single one of my personal and rescued cats at the shelter has been trained to go into a crate. The crate provides the kitten or the cat with its own home.  When the cat becomes tired, scared, or anxious they immediately go to its crate for safety or to rest.

Crate training a feral cat is a quick way to socialize the cat with the human. The feral cat will learn to trust the human. The crate will provide the feral cat or kitten with all that they need, a bed, litter box, and water, however, the food will come from the human and the feral cat will depend on the human for nourishment.  Crate training teaches the feral cat or kittens desirable behavior.

Another reason to crate train a cat is that it provides you with peace of mind especially if you are away from the house for a long period of time.  A crate will prevent your kitten from misbehaving by damaging your home and from getting hurt.

Getting Started with Cat Crate Training:

Before you bring your new kitten or cat home buy the essentials including a cat crate.  There are many crates available for cats.  I recommend one that is large enough for a litter box; a sleep area leg room as well as water and food bowls.

For feral cats set the crate in a room away from household foot traffic. Feral cats need to bond with one human and need peace and quiet.  It is best to set the cat crate in a room where you like to spend time; your home office would be good.  Feral cats will be put into the crate immediately and the door will be shut until they are socialized, or bonded with humans.  By crate training a feral cat the socializing process is quick.

Positive Cat Crate Training

Familiarize your new cat with a crate as soon as you bring them home.  This will eliminate negative habits from forming. 

Set the crate in an isolated area in a room, a low human traffic area such as a dark corner or behind a chair.  Make the crate comfortable by setting a cat cuddle bed in the back of the crate, Spray the bed with catnip.

  

Add a small bowl of water, and a few toys made for cats, and set a few cat treats on the floor of the crate.  Drape a blanket over the crate without covering the entrance. The cover makes the crate cozier and den-like.  Then leave the crate door open.  

Release your new cat into the room where the crate is and the cat will be drawn to the crate due to the scent of the catnip.  Your cat will relate to the crate as being a positive area and will go there to sleep and to be safe.

Note:

Crate training a cat helps especially if you need to travel with your cat or take them to a kennel. 

If you intend to keep your cat in a crate while you are working then I would recommend a large crate.  When you get home from work, release the cat from the crate and spend quality time with your pet; petting, talking to them, and playing or clicker training your cat to do tricks or to come to sit and stay.

Never use the crate as a punishment.  

 

Setup Cat Room - Socializing New Cats

Setup a room for your cats and benefit by knowing that they are in a secure area.  This cat room will provide new cats with comfort and security.  The cat room can be an over-sized crate-cage or it can be a separate room or closet in your home that is for cats only. 

When I am away from my home or when I have guest coming to my home I will put my 5 cats in the safe room and shut the door.  I then know that they are out of harms ways and that they won’t sneak out an open door.  My cats enjoy their time in their room.  In their minds I am certain that they think of it as a playroom.  When it is time for me to go to work, I will open the door and use my clicker to call them.   All of the cats will run into the room and sit patiently for their treat.

Setting up Cat Room

Make a list of the requirement for the room; no furniture of value; add a chair, futon or old sofa to the room, cover the floors with Berber carpet or tile and provide the cats with heat and air-conditioned.   A room with a window would be nice as all cats enjoy looking at the world outdoors. 

Choose a room that will provide your cat with comfort.  Consider a large closet.  Remove everything from the closet; leave the shelves as cats enjoy climbing.  Install a cat climber to the backside of the door; I saw one at amazon.com that was quite nice.  The  multilevel climber will provide your cat’s with hours of enjoyment.  

Cats like to hide so provide them with cat furniture that allows them to hide. Buy them a cat playhouse or multilevel hideout.  My kitty safe room is 9 x 11 and the cat hideout provides my 5 cats with an area where they can hide or sleep in peace. 

Make sure there is a ceiling light, as well as heat or air.  The closet must be large enough to allow the cat to move around and to be comfortable.  Consider changing the closet door to a clear glass French door with kitty door or leave the door cracked so kitty can go in or out.   That way the cat can see out into the other rooms and you can check your cats without disturbing them.  

Know that the cat safe room is a blessing especially if you have company.  You put the cats in the room and you do not have to worry about a exterior door being left open and cat getting  out.

Add to the cat room the following products;  litter box, scratching post, cat tree, toys, bedding, cat food and water bowls.  Choose bouncy cat toys like a spring with a ball attached or plastic balls with bell for them to chase. 

Tips:

• When you cannot supervise your cat then put their room. 
• Use the cat room as an isolation room for all new cat’s coming into the household.
• If cat gets sick, isolate them from other cats by keeping ill cat in this safety room.
• Set up a cat crate /cage if you do not have a room.
• If your cat is accustomed to having free run of the entire house, spray the cat room with Feliway behavior modifier (Chewy.com has the best prices on cat products.)  Feliway behavior modifier will keep your cat happy, by making feel less anxious.  It is fantastic for calming a stressed out cat.

Here is a video that will show you how to set up a cat room.  Know that it is best to keep this room intact because your cat will return to this area because it is their safe space.  

Here is an excellent video that will show you how to introduce your new kitten to your cat.