Transportation....

negs

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Hi Everyone:

I have got some really good advice from this forum so I was hoping to get some more good advice....

I am having problems getting my rescued stray cat into his carrier for vet visits. He has an appointment on the 21st to see an eye specialist and I have tried everything to get him in the carrier......


I tried to lure him in with food
I tried to put a towel over him
I used that Feilway stuff (that did nothing!!!!!!)
I got a new carrier with a top opening door

Tonight when I go home I am going to put the carrier out so he can get used to it more..... Does anyone have any other suggestions????


Thanks so much for your help!
 

nano

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I use a top loading carrier. I keep it in the bedroom with the door open and always ready to use.

Are you able to handle him? I pretty much have to trick Nano each time. When it is time to go somewhere, I simply pick Nano up and walk over to the carrier. My trick is to hold her almost vertically, letting her backend hang down...she doesn't struggle that way and pretty much can be patient for 15 seconds -- all the time that I need. Once she is in position, I slowly lower her into the carrier until she is half-inside then I let go and get the top down in one smooth motion. Obviously this is not a thrilling experience for Nano but it is not too rough considering the difficult circumstances.

If necessary, do you know how to scruff a cat? I try to avoid this approach but I've done it twice when there was some urgency to the situation.
 
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negs

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He will not let me pick him up and hold him for an extended amount of time... I can sit on the floor pick him up and put him in my lap and pet him. But he doesn't like being too far off the ground. When I pick him up he digs his claws into me and then leaps out of arms and hides under the bed


I don't know what else to do..... I have also tried to scruff him before. And pick him up but that doesn't work....
 

kathryn41

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If you can get him into your lap, have the carrier near by. I don't know if it will work with a top loading one, but for a front loading on it does. Start petting him a lot around the head and ears until he is relatively relaxed and then move him to the floor with his rear end facing the open carrier. Keep petting his head and face and use one hand on his chest to back him up into the carrier, your other hand still petting around the eyes to keep his sight off of where he is going. You may have to give a last little push to get him in and close the door very very very quickly once he realizes what is going on and before he has a chance to push his way back out. I have found that the most effective way for mine and I have one who has made an art out of avoiding the carrier:-).

The only successful way I have been able to get a relatively wild cat into a carrier was by having a home made carrier that was a wooden box with a wire front on it. The cat could see through the carrier and didn't object as violently as he might have if he couldn't see through and I was able to get him in and the door closed.

Good luck
Kathryn
 

cloud_shade

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I've got one who tries to scramble away if I get her near the crate. My trick is to turn her upside down (belly facing up), slide her in until her front legs are past the door, and then letter her turn rightside up and around. While she turns over, I quickly close the door. It works every time for me since she has nothing to grab on to or use as leverage.
 

cinderellie

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Leaving the crate open helps quite a bit over time. Some of our cats use it as a kitty condo, we have a cozy blanket inside it and the door to it is open to them every day of the year. try leaving some treats in the crate, and if they're eaten by morning, you'll know that your kitty is able to go in there. If your cat likes catnip, crush it and put some in, since it smells stronger and is more likely to attract kitty. As for your next appt. you may simply have to use brute force and trickery. With our worst culprit I usually hold her front to legs in one hand together and her back ones in the other hand and quickly stuff her it. Good luck!
 
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