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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Cat carrier fail

25 replies

drspouse · 03/01/2019 15:59

We live right next to the vet so I suppose I could get a harness but anyway, new cat needed jabs, I couldn't get her in her carrier. Just me at home.
I rebooked for tomorrow but I still need to get her in her carrier!
Help please!
I put some food next to it (her bowl was empty) and she came up to investigate but when I tried to pick her up she was away.
I basically have no clue...

OP posts:
EmmaC78 · 03/01/2019 16:03

I had a cat that was impossible to get into a carrier and the only way I could do it was by catching her off guard and putting her in when she was asleep. She was pretty lazy so thankfully asleep most of the time :)

thecatneuterer · 03/01/2019 16:04

You need to scruff her. So stroke her gently on her head then slide your hand down and grab her by the scruff of the neck. Hold on very hard and do not loosen your grip.

The carrier needs to be prepared, with the door open and with the back against a wall so that as you push against it it can't go any further back.

Pick her up still holding very hard by the scruff with one hand and supporting underneath with the other. Insert her into the carrier tail first, don't release the scruff until the door is nearly shut.

viccat · 03/01/2019 16:11

Scruffing works although you need to be confident and know how it's done.

Otherwise, shut cat into a small room with no hiding places (for me the bathroom is best for this), cover with towel and scoop up and place in carrier.

SantyClaws · 03/01/2019 16:15

Box up-ended with the opening skywards and drop them in from the top, scruffed. Much harder for them to resist than posting in with the box on it's bottom.

Vinorosso74 · 03/01/2019 16:29

Throwing a towel or blanket over cat is good but you need to be quick. Once it goes dark for the cat they sort of stop albeit briefly hence the need to be swift.
For future leave the carrier open before planned vet visits so cat can get used to it.
Some cats are buggers when it comes to getting on carriers but you need to be bold and just do it.

thecatneuterer · 03/01/2019 16:34

Box on it's end is another good idea. You still need to drop it in backwards though - not face first.

dementedpixie · 03/01/2019 16:41

One of mine follows dreamies in but the other needs dropping into the carrier back end first

missmouse101 · 03/01/2019 16:44

Top opening coated wire cage is far and away the best type to have for future reference. Much easier to get them in.

HardAsSnails · 03/01/2019 16:44

I've always grabbed cat under shoulders and gently dropped into upturned carrier. Now have a top opening carrier which is even easier.

cricketmum84 · 03/01/2019 16:48

Have you tried putting her in backwards? Works a charm with any cat I've had.

Original poster
drspouse · 03/01/2019 16:51

The carrier is actually around/open all the time and normally she doesn't seem interested!
I do remember the towel trick from when I was a teenager and we had a cat but I never had to do it alone.
I couldn't get as far as even holding her so I'll see if I can catch her asleep, or use a towel - we don't have any rooms where she can't hide unfortunately!
And I will try the carrier up against a wall/on its end.

OP posts:
MeetOnTheledge · 03/01/2019 17:00

I put the carrier on it's end, door open, in the bath (while cats are elsewhere so they don't see me take it in there). Shut all external doors, windows and catflap, as many internsl doors as possible, get cat, into bathroom, push door shut with my shoulder, insert cat back legs first.

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 03/01/2019 21:38

We so it with stealth, hide prepared carrier, as a PP described above, pet cat, grab and carry through to next room where carrier is waiting. It's a military operation in our house, 3 cats, one is super skittish about the carrier so she gets put in first.

Which reminds me, almost due for annual family vet visit for boosters!

Original poster
drspouse · 04/01/2019 12:32

Just a quick one, how long in advance would you risk putting the cat in? It's all quiet in the house now but her appointment isn't for 2 hours, but I would like to give it a go to allow for another fail!

OP posts:
cheesywotnots · 04/01/2019 12:50

Can you put a blanket in the carrier with a few dreamies, if she goes in then close the door. I'd leave it till about 15mins before appointment.

Original poster
drspouse · 04/01/2019 12:53

I don't have any dreamies sadly, but there is a blanket. She wouldn't go in for dry food yesterday.

OP posts:
MeetOnTheledge · 04/01/2019 13:07

Yes, 15 mins before you need to leave. Start locking down the house now though.

Original poster
drspouse · 04/01/2019 14:25

Cat has now vanished... Most doors are shut and no plaintive sounds from behind them so she's either asleep or avoiding me.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 04/01/2019 14:39

Under the bed?

Original poster
drspouse · 04/01/2019 15:34

Looked under them all with a torch!
DS and I are going out and I've left food so if she hasn't eaten it when we get back, I'll open all the doors (and get worried).

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 04/01/2019 15:57

I've shut one of mine in a wardrobe and in the bathroom (both by accident). He didn't seem bothered and just snoozed

Original poster
drspouse · 04/01/2019 18:59

She was UNDER the wardrobe.
I'm going to try again on a day when DH is around and also get some Dreamies.

OP posts:
MeetOnTheledge · 04/01/2019 19:13

We have sliding door wardrobes and it is not unkown for a cat to spend the day shut in there Blush.

CatchingBabies · 05/01/2019 01:18

A top opening carrier makes it MUCH easier.

Original poster
drspouse · 05/01/2019 05:15

Not if you can't get anywhere near the cat!

OP posts:
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