Why Cats Fear the Carrier and How to Change the Experience

Why Cats Fear the Carrier and How to Change the Experience

Author: Janet Marlow April 29, 2026 Duration: 6:25

Hi everyone, I’m Janet Marlow, founder of Pet Acoustics, and welcome to We’re All Ears—where we explore the science of how sound shapes the emotional lives of animals.
Let me start with a question.
Why is it… that the moment a cat sees the carrier, everything changes?

You can have the calmest cat…
 and suddenly they disappear.
 They hide.
 They resist.
 Sometimes they panic.
And many people think…
 “My cat is being difficult.”
But that’s not what’s happening.
Your cat is responding to a prediction.
Cats are highly sensitive prey animals. Their nervous systems are wired for survival, and their hearing is far more acute than ours. So when the carrier appears, it’s not just an object…
It’s a signal.
A signal of confinement.
 Loss of control.
 Unfamiliar environments.
 And critically… sound.


The sound was unpredictable.
 The environment felt exposed.
 And their instincts said—don’t move forward.


In Pet Acoustics: We're All Ears!, host Janet Marlow explores the intricate relationship between animals and the soundscapes they inhabit. As a Sound Behaviorist and founder of Pet Acoustics, Janet guides listeners through a nuanced auditory journey, revealing how creatures great and small perceive frequencies and noises invisible to human ears. This podcast isn't just about cute pets; it's a deep dive into the science of hearing, behavior, and emotional well-being. You'll discover how everyday sounds-from household appliances to city traffic-can trigger profound reactions in animals, influencing their stress levels, moods, and even their health. Each episode is built on the premise that by understanding the acoustic world from an animal's perspective, we can forge deeper, more harmonious bonds with our companions. Whether you're a pet owner, an animal lover, or simply curious about the hidden sensory experiences of other species, this series offers a unique blend of research, practical advice, and captivating stories. Tune in to hear conversations that will change how you listen to the world alongside your furry, feathered, or scaled friends.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Pet Acoustics: We're All Ears!
Podcast Episodes
Back to School, Back to Work: Helping Pets Adjust to a Quieter Home [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:01
Back to School, Back to Work: Helping Pets Adjust to a Quieter HomeHello, and welcome to We’re All Ears, the podcast devoted to understanding how sound affects the health, behavior, and well-being of the animals we love.…
Do Cats Experience Separation Anxiety? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:20
Do Cats Experience Separation Anxiety?Hello, and welcome to We’re All Ears, the podcast where we explore how sound influences the health, behavior, and emotional well-being of the animals we love. I’m Janet Marlow, found…
How to Travel With Your Pet: Calmer Journeys With Pet Acoustics+ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:16
How to Travel With Your Pet: Calmer Journeys With Pet Acoustics+ Hello, and welcome to We’re All Ears, the podcast devoted to helping you understand how sound affects your pet’s behavior, comfort and overall well-being.I…
The Hearing Screening Is Complete—Now What? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:09
Welcome to We’re All Ears, the podcast where we explore how animals experience sound—and why hearing wellness matters throughout every stage of their lives.I’m Janet Marlow, founder of Pet Acoustics, researcher in animal…
Hearing Loss Is Hiding  in Plain Sight [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:21
Welcome to We’re All Ears, the podcast where we explore the science of sound, hearing, and animal well-being.I’m Janet Marlow, founder of Pet Acoustics and a lifelong researcher in how animals hear and how sound shapes t…
Epilepsy in Dogs: Creating a Safe Soundscape for Recovery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:42
Welcome to We're All Ears, the podcast where we explore hearing wellness, sensory health, and the remarkable ways sound influences the lives of animals.Today we're discussing a topic that affects thousands of dogs and th…
The Dog Who Followed His Best Friend [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:22
Welcome to We're All Ears, where we explore the remarkable world of hearing wellness and the profound role sound plays in the lives of animals.Today's story begins with two dogs.One was thirteen years old. The other was…
The Ones Who Know First: A Pet Mother’s Day Reflection [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:30
Welcome to We’re All Ears—where we explore the world as animals experience it… through sound, behavior, and the subtle signals that shape their well-being.Today’s episode is a quiet one. A reflective one.Because this is…
When One Dog Loses Another: Helping Your Dog Through Grief [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:29
Hello, and welcome to We’re All Ears, where we explore the emotional lives of animals through the lens of sound, behavior, and connection.I’m Janet Marlow, Certified Sound Behaviorist and founder of Pet Acoustics.Today,…