How To Stuff A Cat Into A Carrier

[ShodokanJenn]

Okay. I have a standard sized carrier. And a 23 pound cat. Said cat needs to be inside the carrier so I can take him to the vet to have a growth on his nose looked at. I tried for 30 unsuccessful minutes to get him in there before his appointment today. I finally gave up and called and rescheduled for next Friday at 830 AM. My husband will be home and able to help me stuff him in there. Today, I tried pushing him through the door, putting him on the bottom and then putting the top over him, putting canned food in there, blanket in, blanket out, wrap in the blanket and try to push through the door. This cat is a serious athlete, and I lost every battle. The war's not over yet, though.

Anybody have any tips for success next week?

 

[PTSDfree]

Does yours have an opening at the top? My kitties go in a lot easier instead of being pushed through the front.

Edit: Rolling him into a burrito might work too.

 

[aut555]

It's funny how they react. Never had a problem with our annimals. But we always used code words going and coming back. going Doctor, going home. Then they seem to know and feel comfortable. I read they do regonize words.

 

[aut555]

Okay. I have a standard sized carrier. And a 23 pound cat. Said cat needs to be inside the carr...

Maybe wrap up in big towel like a baby, and before the cat knows what happened , put in carrier. Maybe give a bath first, relax cat with warm water.

 

[Deleted member 33052]

I have to ambush my cats with a large, heavy towel. I drop it on them and wrap them up faster than they can get out from under it. Usually. If that doesn't work, I reschedule. :(

You have my sympathy, jenn.

 

[Deleted member 33052]

Maybe wrap up in big towel like a baby, and before the cat knows what happened , put in carrier. Maybe give a bath first, relax cat with warm water.

Haha, relax a cat with a bath? I still bear scars from my last attempt to bathe a cat, and that was over 10 years ago. Aut, where doyou find such mellow cats?

 

[watundah]

Yep, like a wild animal, put a towel over their face so they can't see what's happening.

 

[Lucycat]

I left the cat carrier in the room with the cats for them to explore and smell for a week before trying to get them in. They went in, being inquisitive and I let them leave again. I have put their toys in there or a treat. Let them get familiar with the carrier and it has never been a problem.

However we had a laugh, many years ago when we brought our 2 English cats to Scotland. It was a long journey and they were only small so they were in a carrier together. On arrival at our destination, we opened the door of the carrier and they both leapt out - in opposite directions and hissed at each other. Prior to that they had been cuddled up together. I am guessing one of them had farted on the journey!!!

 

[ShodokanJenn]

Does yours have an opening at the top? My kitties go in a lot easier instead of being pushed...

I wish it had an opening on top. But alas, it just has the front door. The burrito idea might work, though. We'll try that next week when we try again. The carrier is out on the floor with canned food inside. He has zero interest in it, but maybe over the next week he'll change his mind?

 

[ShodokanJenn]

It's funny how they react. Never had a problem with our annimals. But we always used code words going an...

Our other four cats are fine with the carrier and with the vet. Our oldest, Furbis, went a couple weeks ago to have some teeth pulled and get a dental cleaning. He was perfect. He loved the vet, gave her lots of head-butts and purring. And he goes in the carrier no problem.

 

[ShodokanJenn]

Maybe wrap up in big towel like a baby, and before the cat knows what happened , put in carrier. Maybe g...

The towel idea is a good one. The bath... I'm thinking not. He loves to play with water, but only with his paws. Submersion, he hates.

 

[ShodokanJenn]

I have to ambush my cats with a large, heavy towel. I drop it on them and wrap them up faster tha...

Thanks Mal. Ambushing might work well. I didn't think to try it, but it's definitely part of the plan for next week. For the next week, the carrier will be on the floor in the living room with the door open and each day, I'll put canned food in it. Hopefully that will entice him so he doesn't have the fear response to it.