Every cat owner has been there - you need to get your cat into their carrier so that you can take them to the vet, or the boarding cattery, or to be cared for by a friend or simply because you are moving home - and guess what? Your highly affectionate and super-clingy cat is nowhere to be seen!

And even when you finally manage to locate the fur-covered little devil after wasting time you can ill-afford, you have to battle claws, teeth, rudely hissed words and ears flattened so close to your cat's head you'd think that they's disappeared altogether. Your cat is less than co-operative as you struggle to force their rigid body into their carrier.

So how come your affectionate, compliant and normal pet has suddenly turned into a feral wildcat as soon as you get their carrier out of storage?

Well, you'll probably be amazed to hear that it's all your fault. You and you alone are responsible for making The Big Mistake.

And that mistake is..

You put your cat's carrier out of sight when you finish using it.

We're all guilty of it. Directly the stress of transporting your cat from A to B is over, the carrier gets stored in the garage, shed or cupboard out of sight and out of mind. And that is where you make the mistake. The odious carrier is hidden from view.

So, how can you, as the guilty party, correct your error? Is it possible to change the situation for the better? Can your cat ever accept their carrier and remain relaxed and happy around it? Most certainly - and you can start correcting your mistake the minute you've finished reading this!

Bring the carrier out of storage and place it in a cat-friendly place.

Place it where it is warm and can remain undisturbed.

Line it inside with a soft blanket or cushion.

Make it attractive by placing a favourite toy or some catnip inside

Place a one or two tasty morsels inside.

Leave the door open for free access at all times.

Keep it a part of your cat's everyday world.

And that's all you need to do. If you follow the above steps you can start to change the negative associations your cat has with their carrier. Each time the carrier is brought out, it triggers bad memories for your cat so it's no wonder that they connect the carrier with being forced to undergo unpleasant and unwelcome procedures whenever it appears. It is your job, as an owner, to work towards changing your cat's perception of their carrier and to replace the bad memories with good ones.

Gradually, your cat will come to accept the carrier as being part of their normal, everyday experiences and when this happens, they will be able to remain relaxed around it and in it. By also turning the carrier into a place that is attractive for your cat to sleep in, with their favorite toy and snack included, eventually the bad feelings will be chased away by good ones.

Of course, a trip to the vet is always likely to re-ignite those bad memories to a degree but unfortunately the only way to overcome that is to keep your vet permanently on duty around your home, so he becomes part of the everyday furniture!