It is said that 'dogs have owners, cats have staff'. Cats are world-renowned for their independent streak and their propensity for completely ignoring their owners until they need them to do something for them. 'Any animal can be trained' is another saying floating around in the animal training world - and this saying is just as true. Contrary to what you may think, you can condition your cat to their crate or cage if you start early and follow some very easy steps.

First, it is essential that you start crate training your cat when they are still a kitten if you can. If they learn in their formative days that the crate is not something to be feared or hated, trips to the vet will be that much easier later on. Older cats can still be conditioned with the following method, but it will probably take more time and patience on your part.

The first thing you obviously have to do is pick out a crate. There are many different kinds of crates, but the best one to get is a plastic crate that can easily be taken apart and cleaned out. Crates come in both top-loading and front-loading varieties. If you want to crate-train your cat for trips to the veterinarian, a top-loading crate is a good choice because of the simple fact that even if your cat is crate-trained, a visit to the vet's office will still likely stress them out and maybe even make them unmanageable. A top-loading crate makes it easier to get your cat in or out of it for veterinary exams. Front-loading crates are a fine choice if you are not concerned about your ability to get your cat out of the crate once they are in it.

After you get a crate for your cat, you need to make it as comfortable as possible. Get a blanket, or bed that fits nicely into it. This needs to become your cats safety zone. Anytime you see them go in their crate or you put them in their, give them lots of love.Occasionally, even give them a their favorite treat to make them really excited about the crate.

With a little time and patience on your part, you can turn a crate into a 'safe haven' for your cat. Your cats crate can become the place they go whenever they feels threatened, uncomfortable, or simply wants to be left alone. If, like most cats, your cat runs and hides when you have visitors, their crate can be the place they go to hide. This will help you in the long run when you need to transport them to the vet's office.