What is the least stressful way (for cat and owner!) to get a cat in the carrier?

Question

I recently adopted a feral cat who is a HUGE scaredy cat. And I am a first-time cat owner with no experience handling cats. The thought of getting him into the carrier stresses both of us out. I was able to get him into his carrier twice, but now he knows what it is and won't have anything to do with it. I've tried luring him into the carrier with treats, toys, and canned tuna, all to no avail. People have recommended that I wrap a towel around him, but I can't even do that ~ he is so fast, he escapes and runs off. He's like a slippery bar of soap! I had to cancel my vet appointment, but I have to take him for his shots and deworming. Can anybody please suggest ideas to get him into the carrier that is not traumatizing or forceful?

I should add that I've had him for two months now and that he's an incredibly loving and affectionate cat with me.

To the person who called me stupid for adopting a feral cat ~ yeah, it was probably a bad idea to get a feral cat rather than a domestic cat first, but he needed a home. And I'd rather rescue a cat in need than buy a domestic/purebred cat from the pet store.

Answer 1

He's probably tuned in to your apprehension. So, your already sending off signals that you feel like you are doing something bad to him and he believes it. Just make sure you are feeling calm and peaceful before you attempt it or he'll pick up on it.

Actually it might help to have an oversized carrier. The larger entry way will make it easier for you to get him in. But sometimes if it is big enough that will make it easy for him to hide in back so you cant remove him from it. I stuffed a pillow in the back of mine so that I could get the cat out once we got to the vet. OR, you could get a "top loader" as these can be a whole lot easier to use. You just have to be extra careful that a (back) paw does not get stuck in between a bar and twisted as you lower him in. Its a whole lot easier getting the cat in and then getting him out again once you are at the vet.

Also, you could try just conditioning him to being around the carrier, and giving him a treat. Leave the carrier open for him and put something cozy inside. Let him get familiar with it. My cats actually liked going inside of thiers , but they were practically raised in it.

I know that some cats can handle being out of a carrier but I think for safety reasons he should REALLY be in one whenever you leave the house and at the vets.

Answer 2

Feral or domestic, some cats just won't get in a carrier... but kudos for adopting a rescue cat.
The advice posted above about feeding the cat in the crate and letting it get used to it as another 'cave' or kitty condo is good, but may take several months before it shows results.

In the meantime, consider investing in a top opening (also called a double door) carrier. It is much quicker and easier to drop a cat into a crate, and the less fighting you do, the less traumatic the experience will be. If you have difficulty hanging on to him, you can grip him by the scruff, making sure to support his weight with your other hand.

Answer 3

First off I would like to thank you for adopting a feral cat there are to many people out there who would much rather have a kitten and then 2 years down the road get rid of it.
I have 2 cats one was actually a feral kitten and goodness was she hard to be around when she was younger but now you wouldn't even know she was feral.
As for the carrier I would suggest leaving it out in your house with a blanket and some toys in it for him to climb in and explore and perhaps sleep in.
I do that at my house and they go and and sleep in it all the time.
Its funny, I went out and bought them both really good beds and they 90% of the time are always in the carrier.
I hope this helps and good luck with your new kitty.

Answer 4

First of all, congratulations on your kitty cat, and on behalf of cat lovers all over the world, thank you for not supporting pet stores and breeders. There are too many homeless kitties on the street who meet abuse, sickness and untimely ends - thank you for taking one of them in and making a difference.

Now, as a feral cat owner myself, I would have to say that, yes, they do take more work and patience than cats born into human homes - he probably trusts you to a certain extent, but hasn't forgotten the "danger" of humans, and his survival instincts are still very much intact.

I think the most important thing to remember is that, 1) You ARE the boss, and 2) It's for his own good. He needs his shots and he definitely needs to be dewormed, so although you obviously don't want to traumatize him too much, your goal is to get him into that cage whatever way you can. It seems like you are on the right path as far as getting him used to the cage as a non-threatening object (i.e. putting food, toys and treats inside). It's probably just going to take a little more time and patience before he's ready to go in there willingly. But with a few more trips in the cage, he will come to realize that being shut in it does not mean sure death :)

I wish I could help you more, but I think that time is your best friend on this one. Good luck!

Answer 5

Get some nice wet food and put it in the carrier. Hopefully that will tempt him into it.

Also leaving the carrrier out all the time with the door open will help me grow used to it.

Good luck, you're a wonderful person for saving that cat!

Answer 6

Cats are so weird! I love 'em! but I think the best way to handle a finicky scaredy cat is to leave the Carrier out. Just set it in the living room or wherever the cat goes most often. (excluding the litter box). Leave it open and ignore it try putting a treat or catnip(if he likes catnip, mine couldn't care less,) in it as well but don't show it to him. just let him nose around it may take a while but eventually it might just become his favorite place. - They say curiosity killed the cat but really it didn't, He just made a few "new friends"!

Answer 7

Good for you. I have caught and tamed feral cats before. I feed them in the carrier. If they want to eat they go in. I know this sound kind of mean but after a while they think of the crate as a place of saftey. Make the crate thier home.

Answer 8

My cat used to fight me whenever I attempted to put him in the carrier to go to the vet, so I do sympathize with your predicament. Well, I had to get him used to the carrier for an overseas tri. So, every other day or so, I would take the carrier into the bathroom and lay it on th floor (when kitty was not looking. Then I'd pick up kitty, march him to the bathroom and holding him with one arm and the other hand a little over his eyes, I'd quickly stuff him in his carrier and lock the door. He'd meow in protest. Then I'd pick up the carrier gently and walk a bit around the house with him in it. Then I'd set it on the floor of my bedroom with him still in it. I'd leave him there fore 10 mins while I busy myself around the house. I exude CALM and matter of fact day to day business. After about a week, my kitty realized that NOTHING BAD will happen to him inside the carrier. And in the airport and on the overseas trip itself, he was soooo good and actually felt SAFE inside his carrier. On subsequent journeys, if he sees me packing up my suitcase, he'd go inside his carrier by himself as if to say, "You are not leaving me behind!"

Patience is the key.

Oh, my cat is half feral.

Answer 9

Put the cat in backwards, hind legs first into the carrier. Doing it this way the cat can't arch his back or push against the carrier with his paws. Works like a charm!

Answer 10

My cat hates the carrier, too! Whenever I need to use it, I set it out on the floor the night before so she can sniff it and get used to it. You might even try setting it out a few days before you need it, so your cat is less afraid of it. And, you might try putting treats in the carrier for him to find on his own. My kitty is 16 and after 16 years I'm still having to get creative. Good luck!