Tips to get shy cats to the vet

Good evening,

My wife and I adopted two rescue cats from a shelter about 2 months ago. The cats are very shy, but lately have been opening up to us more and more. They still run away from us at times. We need to take them to the vet and we dont want to ruin the trust we have built over the last two months. Any tips?

Thanks!

It is going to be ok, Just put them in the carrier and take them. No cat will ever like going to the vet... Bad things happen at the vet's office... They usually hate the car ride as well...
But Do not worry, they will not hold it against you - they forget about it pretty fast... Here in my house pretty much as soon as they get out of the carrier at home.

Do you have a vet that does housecalls? That is less stressful for most cats

If you can get them into carriers, just go. Most cats do not like going to the vet - either they'll flip out at the vet or they'll freeze. Many, including the kittens I took in who at the time were feral, freeze.

All of mine get over it soon enough. When it's food/treat time they've forgotten the worst of the day's events and come out to eat.

You could try using rescue remedy on them and feliway spray in their carriers.

In my experience, the cats will not hold a grudge against you - but may be wary of car rides and the carrier. When Batman was a kitten, he was painfully shy and very scared of us. He was a feral kitten. When we had to go to the vet with him, he acted like I was his guardian and best friend - nuzzling into my arm pit. You are not an enemy while at the evil vet's.

If you're not wanting to handle them and scare them, you can try to lure them into the carriers by tossing food in it or something. You can spray the carriers with Feliway before you try to get them inside of it (allowing enough time for it to dry of course). If your kitties are nervous, you may want to look into buying Bach's Rescue Remedy - drops you put in their water.

Your kitties will probably hide after they're back home from the vets, but I don't think they're going to hold a grudge with you. My adult feral Patches gets very upset after being at the vets and she'll eat less the few days afterwards, but she gets over it.

Good luck And bless you for taking in 2 rescue cats.

Get a medium "dog-sized," plastic covered carrier at least twice the size of the cat for good mobility. Large enough to get kitty in and out of with minimum fuss and having an open wired door and side "windows" it’s airy and less claustrophobic. Although it can often be bulky and difficult to maneuver depending on the owners upper body strength. Mine is the biggest the vets have ever seen for a kitty -- but they love it. Also, if it isn't open top, stand the kennel OPEN on its END…..against a wall and drop them in so it/they won’t get away from you.

And if you have two cats that like each other, they may not want to be separated. Mine are also much more docile about being in a carrier and getting into a carrier if I let them share one. So this means I have one large carrier for two normal sized cats.

Originally Posted by elayman

Get a medium "dog-sized," plastic covered carrier at least twice the size of the cat for good mobility. Large enough to get kitty in and out of with minimum fuss and having an open wired door and side "windows" itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s airy and less claustrophobic. Although it can often be bulky and difficult to maneuver depending on the owners upper body strength. Mine is the biggest the vets have ever seen for a kitty -- but they love it. Also, if it isn't open top, stand the kennel OPEN on its END…..against a wall and drop them in so it/they wonâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t get away from you.

And if you have two cats that like each other, they may not want to be separated. Mine are also much more docile about being in a carrier and getting into a carrier if I let them share one. So this means I have one large carrier for two normal sized cats.

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I find the exact opposite, I need one of mine in a carrier so small he can't spin around bashing his head on the walls of it until he hurts himself and would never put them in a carrier together in case they get freaked out by the vet visit

What's helped me with shy cats is wrapping them in a tail before putting them in the carrier and using a top-loading carrier. I've found, as others have said, that most kitties are pretty quick to forgive and forget the trauma of vet visits with plenty of love, reassurance and treats once they're back home.

Originally Posted by icklemiss21

I find the exact opposite, I need one of mine in a carrier so small he can't spin around bashing his head on the walls of it until he hurts himself and would never put them in a carrier together in case they get freaked out by the vet visit

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Mine just like a big one with the door left open so they can wander in and out at will, feel the catnip and build up their confidence....

Oh he will happily go in any carrier when he is at home, in fact several of them sleep in their carriers, its when I take the carrier outside into the big bad world he freaks out

We have rescued a cat (12-16 weeks old is our guess?) and have had it for just over a week. Her food bowls are in the carrier already, but how do we physically get her into it? She is only ok with us around if we are very still and otherwise bolts to a hiding place, behind the tub or oven. We very much want to take her to the vet, but logistically do not know how to get her into the carrier.

I agree that trying to manually catch feral anything probably isn't the most advisable idea. ;-) Try to see if you can access a live/humane trap from a shelter, retail center or online. They will not harm it. Just put in some cat food as bait and when Emily goes in to eat it will shut automatically. A carrying cage that she can be easily transported inside as is. It really is the only reliable method designed for the safety of animals -- and you !

http://www.amazon.com/Havahart-1045-Racc…

If you would prefer to go the route of medication, some vets will prescribe a dose of a sedative like Acepromazine to make cats drowsy for easier handling.

First step, though, is obviously to call around and make an appointment with a spay and neuter clinic or a veterinarian that treats feral cats in your (the London) area if that hasn't happened already.

Originally Posted by emilydickinson

We have rescued a cat (12-16 weeks old is our guess?) and have had it for just over a week. Her food bowls are in the carrier already, but how do we physically get her into it? She is only ok with us around if we are very still and otherwise bolts to a hiding place, behind the tub or oven. We very much want to take her to the vet, but logistically do not know how to get her into the carrier.

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Will she chase after treats/pieces of chicken? You could try tossing that into the carrier and quickly shutting the door. Or you could leave her carrier in there all the time, cover it with a blanket or large towel so that she'll see it as a dark place to hide and go into it often.

You can get feliway spray to spray the carrier with, too.

Originally Posted by C&B

Good evening,

My wife and I adopted two rescue cats from a shelter about 2 months ago. The cats are very shy, but lately have been opening up to us more and more. They still run away from us at times. We need to take them to the vet and we dont want to ruin the trust we have built over the last two months. Any tips?

Thanks!

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If they are inside kitties, it is indeed easier to get them into a carrier. Look for top loading carriers, they are the best, and don't let them share a carrier to and from the vet. This never works out well. Instead, face the carriers towards each other once they are in car and cover both carriers with a dark towel or blanket.

To get them into a carrier, herd them into a small room (bathrooms are best) have the carriers in the bathtub or shower before you put the cats into the room. Have two large thick towels also on standby. Put the carriers on their end and have the doors open waiting.

You want to start this at least an hour before you leave for the vet. The reason, strays know when they are going to the vet. How they know, I have no idea. Maybe we send out "you are going to the vet" vibes which scares them more. Keep your breathing even and slow and keep your voice down as you herd them or bribe them into the bathroom.

Once they are in and you are too, be sure and shut the door. Don't make eye contact with them, just pick up a towel and talk to them. Get them into a corner, scruff the neck, and pick them straight up off the ground. don't bring them to your chest. Wrap the towel around the hind legs and mid body and slowly lower the cat into the crate. Right before you get to the bottom of the crate (you have to be quick) gently drop the cat and towel (the towel cushions the short fall) then slam the door shut and lock it. Repeat with the second cat.

Cover the carriers with a dark towel and put them into a quiet area until time to load them. If you have classic CD's take a few to play on the way to the vet. Harp music is best. Don't play the radio loud, they will hear the music and it will help to soothe them.

Wear something to the vet that you don't mind getting messy. They could have accidents in their crate, so also stow away some rags, water and some safe air freshener also plastic bags. Your kitties are going to be stress shedding, so sweatshirts are a good bet to wear when you go to the vet.

If they cry, let them. Don't take them out of the carrier until you are in the exam room. I am always amazed at the people coming into the vet with cats out of a carrier!

Bring a favorite toy and after the visit- put the toy into the carrier as a treat for the kitty. I use a toy I got from http://www.catniptoys.com/ and it is pretty beat up, but it helps them de-stress on the ride home. I also take with me a old, beat up heavy jacket that they can hide under while they are waiting to be examined.


Best of luck!

Originally Posted by hissy

and don't let them share a carrier to and from the vet. This never works out well.

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I've found it works perfectly fine for kittens - my current three are so closely bonded that it kept them calmer. But for older kittens/adult cats it's just a hassle because it makes the carrier far too heavy. For cats prone to bolting it creates trouble at the vet.