Every cat owner knows the problem - your cat needs to be put in their carrier so that you can take them to the vet, or to the boarding establishment or because you are moving to a new home. And guess what? Suddenly your super-clingy and ever present furry companion has vanished into thin air!

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 why does your normal, affectionate and co-operative pet immediately turn into a feral wildcat at the very sight of their carrier?

Well, prepare yourself for a shock - it's your fault - and you probably have no idea at all that you are responsible for making The Big Mistake.

And that mistake is..

You put your cat's carrier away when it's not being used.

We all do it without thinking. As soon as the awful task of transporting your cat from A to B is completed, the carrier gets tidied away in the garage, shed or cupboard out of sight until the next time it is needed. And that is where the mistake is made. The much-feared carrier is hidden away.

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 cosy and quiet.

Make it comfortable inside with a blanket or cushion.

Make it interesting by placing a favourite toy inside

Place a one or two tasty morsels inside.

Leave the door open for free access at all times.

Keep it within your cat's everyday world.

And that's just about it. By following the above steps, you will be able to tackle changing your cat's negative associations with their carrier. Every time it comes into view, it triggers strong emotions in your cat as they will always connect the carrier with being forcefully subjected to unpleasant procedures. No wonder your cat runs off when they see it! Your task, as an owner, is to work towards changing the associations your cat has with their carrier, replacing the negative ones with good ones.

If your cat slowly comes to accept that their carrier is a normal part of everyday life, they will gradually relax when confronted with it and their resistance to being put in it will melt away. By making the carrier an attractive and comfortable place to snuggle down in, with a toy and snack to hand, your cat will soon get the idea that good things can chase away the bad memories.

Unfortunately, any trip to see the vet will inevitably cause those bad memories to be recalled but the only way to cure that particular problem is to make your vet part of your cat's everyday, normal experience. And that is just not going to be possible, is it?