What's the best method on getting a nervous cat into a pet carrier.?

Question

My cat is a large 8yrs old house cat. She always gets wind that you want to put her in the box when it's time for a Vet visit & runs under the furniture & will freak out when you try to pick her up. Any suggestions. I have an appt for her at 4pm today. Thanks, Roseann

Answer 1

I have two cats, one HATES the carrier, the other loves it, our kitten is the one who loves it and since day one I left the carrier out so she could do whatever she wanted to do with it (sleep in it, sniff it out etc) being that you have an appt at 4 pm today I can only give you two pieces of advice that I see some people might have given for today. First, a vet showed me for the older cat that putting the carrier with the opening facing up was best, and to put the little furry one in butt first, it seems as though, as i would not like either, kitties don't like going in head first, it scares them more. I would suggest taking out the carrier asap as well, that way it is out, they do put two and two together when they see that carrier, the longer you have it out it tends to 'trick' them (i know it sounds mean but its better for them lol)...

Now, for future, if you can, i would recommend getting a carrier that has two openings, a top door and a side door (normal one) the top door does not frightened the cat as much as being put in the side door. I also have a soft carrier, its easier to store and my kitten loves it more, but again you said you had a large and my baby is a small girl.

I wish you luck with this and hope I have helped as much as possible. I also hope the Vet appointment is just routine!

Good luck to you!

Answer 2

I have the same problem.
This will sound funny, but it's the only way that works with my cats.
First, do not speak of the vet visit near the cat where he can hear you. (I swear they know the human language!)
Next get the carrier open and ready to put cat in but do not let the cat see the carrier. If you are lucky the cat will be sleeping, sneak up throw a towel or small blanket over the cat and tuck in under its belly (make sure those claws are covered)
Very quickly as fast as you can move, put kitty in carrier.
Good Luck

Answer 3

The easiest way, and it may sound cruel, but it really isn't; is to put the carrier on end with the gate openned and ready for you. Then if you scruff your cat and be sure to grab his back legswith your other hand, put the cat in the box tail end first and you should be all set. Not to say there won't be a struggle, because there probably will be. Good luck!

Answer 4

Stand the cat carrier up so that the opening is facing the ceiling. Have it in a room where your cat is not there, so that they're unaware of the carrier awaiting them.

Grab your cat and hold it close to your chest. Back into the room, so they don't see the carrier.

Lower the cat carefully, but quickly, into the carrier and close the door.

This always works for my cat.

Answer 5

Well, my cat is a rescue cat and she is very, very timid. Whenever we need to take her out and put her into her pet carrier i start stroking her. The only reason that she doesnt suspect anything is because i stroke her every day and pick her up. So if you gain your cats trust by doing that and then when you want to put them into the pet carrier it is a lot easier.

Also, if its difficult for you to actually PUT the cat into the carrier then i would reccommend getting someone to help you out by holding the box

and then putting your cat in bottom first and holding their paws so they cannot grab hold of the wire bars

i hope this helped

Answer 6

There are some techniques you may "trick" her into stepping into the provider. tried and authentic techniques contain putting her nutrients interior the provider. in case you supply her moist nutrients, open the can, positioned it in a bowl, then positioned it interior the provider. She might set aside her worry to get to that nutrients. additionally, what i've got seen that still works is a undeniable form of provider. We have been given ours at Petsmart, yet i'm optimistic you will get it at any puppy grant save... it has a gate interior the front and likewise on the authentic. That way you do no longer take care of their paws stretched out on the front, you may purely drop them in from the authentic. i've got on no account tried this way-- yet my companion's mom swears that while that they had cats, they might positioned them interior the provider and journey them around- to the gas station, etc- with them so they might get used to the vehicle rides. curiously they enjoyed it, besides the fact that, i'm uncertain if it is an unique phenomenon! stable luck!

Answer 7

Pick her up randomly, before she sees you preparing the carrier or yourself to go out. Find her when she is relaxed somewhere, pick her up calmly, and then take her in the room where the carrier is and put her inside. I usually put the carrier with the opening upwards, like a bag, so that I put the cat inside more easily, otherwise he gets out before I manage to shut the opening.

Answer 8

hi i have the same problem with one of mine, i encourage them to the door where the cat flap is (keep it locked) then come up behind them with a cat blanket in my hands and grab them straight into the basket can only get about 2 attempts before they cotton on to what is going on, usually works first time, have the cat basket on the side ready push them in keeping them wrapped in the blanket they will sort themselfs out when in there havce someone there with u if poss to shut the door as soon as your hands are free of the cat, i have 5 to get in today its yearly check up day, the baskets are all sitting on the side in the kitchen ready, good luck. jackie

Answer 9

trying leaving the carrier out for quite some time, so it becomes a place for them to sleep in, play in, whatever, the point is they will get used to it being in their surroundings, and it won't be as scary! good luck!