Crate Training and Confinement for Kittens and Cats

Why should I crate train my kitten or cat?

Being able to relax when confined is an important life skill for kittens and cats.  Confinement may be necessary in any of the following situations:

• When you are not available to supervise your young, untrained kitten who could be injured or cause property damage if left unattended.
• When your cat needs to be separated from visiting workers or guests.
• When other pets or children might disturb your cat.
• When your cat needs a safe place to rest undisturbed.
• When you travel with your cat.
• When your cat goes to the veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or groomer.
• When your cat is recovering from a medical or surgical procedure.
• When your cat goes to a boarding facility.
• When there is an emergency requiring evacuation or temporary sheltering. 

A crate for a pet is like a crib, travel sleeper, or playpen for a small child. It is a safe area that can be associated with resting and sleeping. When crate training is done carefully, most cats derive comfort and security from their crate. The familiar, cozy crate can be brought along during travel, allowing your cat to have a "home away from home." 

When should I start crate training?

Crate training can start at any age. Starting early makes training easier. Most cats adjust to crate confinement easily. If you notice any signs of distress and are concerned about your cat’s comfort, for example, if they salivate, vocalize persistently, try to escape, or do not settle, consult your veterinarian before continuing with your training plan.

How do I choose a crate for my cat?

If the crate is used for sleeping or confinement, it should be large enough for the cat to comfortably lay on their side, stretched out, and have room for a small litter box. For travel, the crate should be large enough for the cat to comfortably stand, stretch, and turn around, but no larger. Smaller crates are more secure for travel and offer better protection during sudden stops. Larger crates are more comfortable for confinement in the home. Several crate styles are available. 

Here are some examples, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each:

Collapsible wire crates

Advantages:

• Fold flat for storage
• Easy to move when collapsed
• Allow you to view your cat easily

Disadvantages:

• If cats try to chew the wires, their teeth or jaws may get stuck
• Not approved for airline travel
• May not be sturdy enough to protect your cat during car travel 

Plastic crates

Advantages:

• Light weight and easy to carry
• Easy to clean
• Messes are contained, keeping your floor clean
• Provide a quiet area with less visual stimulation
• Can be used for airline travel
• Provide moderate protection during car travel 

Disadvantages:

• Not collapsible
• More difficult to view your cat

Crash-tested crates

Sleepypod and RuffLand are examples.

Advantages:

• Secure, safe, and sturdy
• Sleepypod also acts as a comfortable cat bed when not in use as a crate

Disadvantages:

• Higher cost than other crates
• Limited ability to view your cat 

Crate alternatives for indoor confinement

While comfort in a crate will be important for situations in which you must take your cat out of the home, it can also be helpful to establish a larger safe place for times that confinement might be needed within the home. 

Exercise pens:

• Available in metal, plastic, or mesh fabric; a ceiling panel is needed to reduce the chance of your cat escaping
• Can be folded for storage or travel
• More space than a crate; your cat can easily stretch or play
• Space for toys, food, a bed and a litter box

Dedicated room:

• You can create a cat room with a choice of sleeping areas, a scratching area, food and water station, and a litter box. 
• For young kittens, be sure the room is kitten-proofed. Remove small or dangerous objects that could be ingested or valuable items that could be clawed while your kitten is exploring. 

Your cat needs daily social interaction as well as physical and mental exercise to remain healthy. Confinement is a management tool for times when your cat cannot be supervised or needs a quiet rest period. Make sure your cat receives plenty of opportunities for exercise and social interaction. Extended periods of confinement are not healthy for animals.

How do I train my cat to use their crate?

Positive reinforcement training is the best way to help your cat adapt to the crate. Before a training session, make sure your cat has had exercise and an opportunity to eliminate. To begin, make the crate a place for quiet enjoyment. Think of ways to encourage happy, still behavior. Ideas include:

• Feed some of your cat’s meals inside the crate.
• Provide edible chews, food-stuffed toys, and toys for batting around in the crate.
• Reward quiet behavior by periodically dropping a treat through an opening in the back of the crate, or by using a remote reward system such as a Pet Tutor® or Treat and Train™.

At first, leave the crate door open. Once your cat expects and enjoys the rewards, close the door and sit near the crate so that your cat is not alone. You can continue to offer rewards. If your cat or kitten strongly resists being inside the crate, begin training just outside the crate. Offer the fun toys and treats on a soft fleece placed in the immediate vicinity of the crate. Gradually, over a period of a few days or weeks, move closer to the crate for quiet fun time and sleep time.

Once your cat is playing inside the crate and you can close the door, try walking away for short periods of time, returning, and again relaxing in the area while your cat remains crated. Be sure your cat remains relaxed. As you begin to move further away, set up a monitor that allows you to watch and listen from a distance.

During initial training, your cat might vocalize briefly, attempt to open the crate door, or fidget. If the behavior lasts a short time and does not escalate, give your cat a few minutes to see if they will settle. If signs of significant distress are present, you will need to open the crate door and end the session.

Do not leave your cat in the crate if they are distressed as they could experience significant emotional trauma. Instead, contact your veterinarian for advice. Your veterinarian may refer you to a veterinary behaviorist for more guidance.

Can I train my cat to get into the crate on cue?

Once your cat willingly goes into the crate, it is time to introduce a cue to ask them to enter. Set up a few training sessions each day.

1. Pick up a few pieces of kibble or small training treats.
2. Toss a treat inside the crate — your cat should enter eagerly.
3. Once your cat goes inside, use a marker word such as "Yes!" or "Good!" and drop two to three more treats into the crate. Then toss a treat out so your cat leaves the crate.
4. Repeat the process, continuing to deliver treats every few seconds. Then toss a treat out so your cat exits. Try to have three or four repetitions per session.
5. Once your cat is predictably and eagerly trotting into the crate, add the verbal cue. Quietly toss the treat into the crate and the moment your cat begins to run toward the crate, say “house.”
6. After a few sessions, hold a treat and say “house” before you even toss the treat. As your cat begins to run toward the crate, toss the treat. 
7. Finally, say “house”, wait for your cat to enter the crate, and then toss the treat. Your cat now understands they must enter the crate to get the treat.
8. Once your cat eagerly runs to the crate when cued, practice closing the door and delivering a few treats several seconds apart. At this point, begin to lengthen the time your cat spends in the crate, as described in the previous section.

Practice from increasing distances until your cat will happily run to the crate from anywhere in the home.