I have a 6 month old kitten that I got from a woman who rescues kittens. She has been confined to my bedroom so that she can get used to a small space. She is in need of shots and spaying, but I can't get her into the cat carrier. I have tried everything from putting food in there to Rescue Remedy. She is warming up to me slowly, but she is VERY timid. Can someone help me?
2007-01-31 05:33:25 · 19 answers · asked by jrosing418 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Set the carrier so the door is facing up and then drop her in and close the lid quick.
If that doesn't work read the article on the website I attached.
2007-01-31 05:42:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some ideas ...
1) If she has a favorite blanket that she sleeps with/on, put the blanket into the carrier and leave it open in the bedroom for some time before you need to take her anywhere. Or just leave the carrier open without the blanket. She might go into it on her own and go to sleep! The idea is to give her a chance to see the carrier as something that isn't scary. This worked great for bringing my orange cat home from his previous human's house, and he still LOVES going into his carrier! :-)
2) Use a bigger carrier ... maybe one for a small-to-medium sized dog. If your cat puts up a struggle, a little more room might make it easier to get her into the carrier.
3) Stand the carrier on its back, with the door open on top. Then basically drop her into the carrier and close the door before she can jump out. This is by far the LAST choice out of the three, though ... it you end up having to do this to your kitten, she may not forgive you for a while. :-(
I'm speaking from experience ... my mom's cat puts up such a fight about getting into her cat carrier that it takes a combination of #2 **and** #3 to load her up!
2007-01-31 05:47:31 · answer #2 · answered by Navigator 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have 3 very well behaved cats but they know when the cat carrier comes out that they're going to the vets, so I don't think any kind of bribing is going to work because she will associate the carrier as a bad place that is going to take her to the vets.Best way wrap a towel around her and put her in there and then plug your ears because she's going to complain all the way to the vets.
Good Luck
2007-01-31 05:48:05 · answer #3 · answered by Cindy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you could try going to the pet store and getting a harness collar, it goes around the neck AND body. get a leash and take her to the vet that way but take the carrier with you. give it all to the vet when they put her under for her surgery they will put her into the carrier while she heals. she will wake up in there but be to tired to freak out. when you pick her up put your fingers through the front gate and pet her and make sure she knows you are here and things are OK. i have two rescued cats that hate the carrier. now they are OK. when you get home and put the carrier away leave it somewhere that she can get to it leave the door open and a nice comfy towel in there. i did this (by accident actually!) and after a while, one day i couldn't find Cole and come to find out he crawled in there and was sleeping!!! he no longer saw it as a treat because he was able to adjust to it on his own and figure out that it can be a nice place. now my babies fight to get in the carriers i have!!lol i have 6...give this a try and let me know how it worked out! good luck
2007-01-31 06:33:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would probably put one of her favorite toys NEAR the carrier, particularly in front of it, because maybe if she tries to play with the toy and 'bat' it around, it'll go near the cat carrier so you can pick her up, OR it'll go in the cat carrier so you'll have no prob.
~~~ALSO~~~
You could get some 'yummy' kitty treats (or snacks) and make a trail to the carrier. the best option is to maybe lay on a bed, and put the carrier in front of you on the floor where you can see it. then make a trail from under the bed into the carrier. It's mean, but it works
Good Luck!
2007-01-31 07:38:11 · answer #5 · answered by Clear eyes,Full Hearts,Cant Lose 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the cat trusts you enough to come into your lap for food-----
lay a large towel across your lap and let the cat upon your lap to eat for just a bit---then swiftly but smoothly take the two edges of the towel and flip them over the cat and snug the towel down rapidly over it--- now you should be able to deliver the cat to the carrier with no further incidents !!!
2007-01-31 05:46:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Invert the carrier up and down and drop her in, you may need to push her shoulders but it seems to be the easiest way, I have found. Also leave the carrier out a few days before you go to the vet; my cat used to sleep in his, which made it easier to get him in since he wasen't scared of it. Put a blanket in and a toy, she may get used to it.
2007-02-03 16:45:32 · answer #7 · answered by Rhode Island Red 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there may be no easy way to do this. even if you successfully get her in once by way of a bribe the next time she will remember. i fight with my cats when i have to take them to the vet. if i can have someone else drive me sometimes i just grab my cat and wrap him up in a large towel or blanket and that does the trick instead of the carrier. it really depends on the cat.
2007-01-31 07:29:14 · answer #8 · answered by Jr 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave the carrier out all so she can get used to it. Or you could try catching her with a towel covering her eyes and gently putting her in the carrier.
2007-01-31 05:39:47 · answer #9 · answered by gstfox 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get her used to the carrier being around by just letting it sit there open so she can go in and out as she pleases. if she has a favorite toy put it in there. Not sure how her receptors are working yet as far as catnip goes, but it is worth a shot. just put some one a blanket and see how she reacts if she likes it put it in the carrier.
2007-01-31 05:39:38 · answer #10 · answered by Jennifer R 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋