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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

How to cat in travel box for vet visit?

27 replies

Liltzero · 05/07/2021 20:26

My cat is due a trip to the vets for her annual checkup and jab. This is now overdue due to Covid etc.

Each time I've taken her to the vets previously I've struggled to get her in the box. She does not like being picked up, is fast and instantly on the alert should she detect a change of routine.

I need to get her booked in but am nervous of the stress to me and her of getting her in her carry cage and potentially having to postpone the vet appointment because I've failed to 'capture' her.

Carry box is currently in the sitting room in anticipation and is taunting me!

TIA

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 05/07/2021 20:31

Have it open with a tasty treat inside to tempt her in. Have it open with treats for at least a week so she associates it with something nice.

I find the bag type carriers much easier for getting the cat in to.

dementedpixie · 05/07/2021 20:32

Put the carrier on its end, pick cat up and insert it bum first

DobbyTheHouseElk · 05/07/2021 20:35

Quickly!

I leave the carrier out all the time. So it’s not a new scary thing. I leave the door off and it’s available for sitting in, looking at and sniffing all day every day.

I gently gather SnoreCat and put him inside with a treat and close the door. Chuck a towel over him and go to the vet.

I’m lucky as he came from the CPL accustomed to the carrier.

My previous cat hated the carrier and weed in it each and every time. Even if I left it out every day. He weed against it. In it. He hated it.

longtompot · 05/07/2021 20:40

If you can wait a few weeks my ed is currently doing some animations for a cat charity on this very thing.

Faranth · 05/07/2021 20:42

I had a cat that hated the box, and would turn into a whirling ball of claws at any attempt to get her in.

This is the method that worked for me, but you have to be quick and decisive. Helps if you have 2 people.

Open the box, preferably take the door off completely. Put the box upright on the ground, with the opening facing up. This is where person 2 is handy to steady the box, otherwise prop it against/between your legs and a wall.

Pick up cat, holding by the scruff with one hand and supporting their weight with the other.

Put cat in box back legs first keeping hold of scruff and let go with other hand. Grab door (again, person 2 is handy here) and slap it over the opening as soon as the cat is in the box. They'll hopefully calm down after a few seconds and you can then get the door fastened properly. Be aware any tiny gap and they'll be out through it like a greased ferret. It's much harder if you have to have a second attempt as they're primed to fight you!

Apply antiseptic, change your clothes as you now have more fur on you than the cat does, and hope the vet puts them back in the box at the other end Wink

Oatsamazing · 05/07/2021 20:44

I would also use a towel, I throw a large towel over mine and scoop it up under their paws so they can't get a grip on anything to resist being put in the box. Depending on the time of the appointment I would try and make sure they are hungry so you can entice them with some food, rather than them disappearing off for a few hours which mine do.

Three0fivepointfour · 05/07/2021 20:46

Tell cat that they absolutely mustn’t, under any circumstances, get in the box.

idril · 05/07/2021 20:52

fetch.co.uk/mdc-white-plastic-coated-pet-carrier-401454011?gclid=Cj0KCQjw24qHBhCnARIsAPbdtlJpCWUXX0UrPjF8ZhblApuanze-TgmoaoOSOBvNONDvhcQamI7bpW4aAhI9EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

We got one like this for our strong box refusing cat. He doesn't realise he's in it until it's too late.

HotPenguin · 05/07/2021 20:55

Could suggestions above, I'd also suggest covering the box with a blanket or concealing it some other way so the cat doesn't clock what's happening until it's inside!

LynetteScavo · 05/07/2021 20:56

Wrap the cat in towel, have the carrier up against the door wall, shove cat in. Have someone with you to close the door.

That's my method. I've often had to phone the vet to say my cat has disappeared or ran away (my old cat was a beast when it came to getting him in the carrier) and they've always been really lovely about it.

Chemenger · 05/07/2021 21:00

Those wire ones are easier and they are very secure. We use them all the time for fosters. I would also agree that having it out days, if not weeks, ahead of the appointment is a good idea. On the day it’s a quick swoop and drop, it’s very important to succeed first time in my experience. Back legs in first, through the top of the carrier.

Original poster
Liltzero · 06/07/2021 21:04

Thanks all. I just need to get my brave pants on!

OP posts:
SummerSazz · 06/07/2021 21:07

As others have said, ambush when distracted with food, pick up and dump arse end first into an upended cat box. It's not pretty but islets quick!

Good luck 😂

ahoyshipmates · 06/07/2021 21:21

Apply antiseptic
Grin Grin

BeBraveAndBeKind · 06/07/2021 21:28

My vet showed me a really good technique where you put the box behind the cat and put your hands in front of the cat's face. The cat naturally backs away from your hands into the box.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 06/07/2021 21:31

My tiny cat is a complete bastard to get in the box. I have to upend it, grab her and shove her in bum first because she is like a starfish.
We have a daily routine of dreamies in a certain place everyday, she has come to trust I will leave her alone to eat them in peace, however if its a vet day I've grabbed her and stuffed her in the hidden box before she knows what day it is.
Its a terrible betrayal of trust Grin

gamerchick · 06/07/2021 21:31

In one swift movement Grin I stand it on its end as well.

She gets in willingly when vets finished though.

GoodVibesHere · 06/07/2021 21:36

Yep, push them in bottom first as described by others and quickly close the gate, whilst trying not to squish a paw. It can look a bit brutal but sometimes it's the only way. We used to have to wear gloves to do my old cat 😮. She used to go to a cattery each summer, and the owner had a special gauntlet glove to get the trickiest cats into their carrier 😯

It always seems easier at the vets, getting them back in. I guess the cat is more subdued by that point and less determined to get away, more keen to hide in the carrier.

Good luck! Try not to give off a nervous energy as you approach the cat, I'm sure they sense it 😀

Bargebill19 · 06/07/2021 21:38

Baileys. The original one.

TwigTheWonderKid · 06/07/2021 21:40

I do it in the kitchen, or with one of my foster cats, the downstairs loo, as there is nowhere for them to run and hide.

cricketmum84 · 06/07/2021 21:48

@Three0fivepointfour

Tell cat that they absolutely mustn’t, under any circumstances, get in the box.
Amazing 😂😂😂

In all seriousness though - dreamies in the cat box and put them in backwards so they can't see where they are going.

Svalberg · 07/07/2021 00:17

After 18 years of a normal carrier, we found a top-loading box was a game changer

WheresThatCatGoneNow · 07/07/2021 01:10

I was taught how to do this when I took four cats to be spayed on the same day.

Don't try to put them in forwards!

Just gently reverse them into the cat carriers.

It works! Believe me!

Furries · 07/07/2021 01:56

I’ve been lucky in that mine are/were snoozy buggers, so I could sneak the carrier out and get it open and ready - and the just scoop them up from their snooze to plop them into the carrier.

Had to laugh at a pp though - yup, once vet visit was done, they would happily jump straight into the carrier 😂

Providora · 07/07/2021 02:01

As well as all the above tips, do it in a small room with no furniture to hide under. Bathroom is usually good.