I only put my cat in a carrier when we go to the vet, but it is still a battle to get her into it. Is there anything different I should be doing?
Your question will actually be helpful in my answer to your dilemma. Just think, that if the only time you ever got to ride in the car was just to make a trip to the doctor, how more and more upset you would soon become. What you must try to do from this point now is to work on a re-association with the crate – and where it takes her! The first thing you should do is to take apart the crate and wash it out thoroughly so that you can replace some old odors. Spread the two separated halves of the carrier on the floor and spread her bed or favorite blanket on the bottom half of the crate. After a few days put down a dish of some cut-up chicken or other favorite natural treat and encourage her to come and get it. Do not pick her up at any time to put her on the crate. She must accept all of this on her own. If she does not go for the treat, simply put it back in the refrigerator and try again later, all the while talking soothingly to her. Continue to do this for several days and then replace the top part of the crate to the bottom leaving off the door and bolts. Again, offer her a dish of treats in the crate, leave her alone and give her about 15 minutes or so to go in for it. If she does not enter the crate, remove the top and show her that her treat was there. Put it back in the refrigerator and try again a few hours later. Once she has accepted the treats in her crate you can put it all back together and then leave it there opened for her to go in as she pleases. After this happens it would be a good idea to close the door and start taking her for rides in the car where no veterinarian’s office is involved. Take her on your errands and talk animatedly to her while riding in the car. When you bring her back home let her out of the crate and again have a delectable treat waiting for her. I am sure that by now you can see the difference that all of your efforts can make in changing her opinion of the crate. And for those of you who are thinking of or have kittens, start them off riding in the car and crate with you when you are out running your errands. In addition, if you can keep the crate with their bedding inside it in sight for awhile, it won’t be such a frightful thing when you suddenly take it out to put them into it.