Boxing up a bundle of nerves

[Dilbertian]

The vet wants to see Mr Cat in the New Year. Mr Cat is 6kg of suspicious timidity. I have never been able to get him into the carrier. I know that travelling in a carrier distresses him severely: last time he travelled was when CPL brought him to us 8m ago and he was so distressed that he pooed and weed himself in the carrier.

Do any of the OTC 'tranquilisers' work? Any recommendations? Dh can go to Pets at Home today.

Have you tried a vet who does home visits? Mine is more expensive, but really it is so much nicer for all involved.

Tin of tuna...my elderly car is the same but can't resist it

Ask your vet for some gabapentin, bloody great stuff for relaxing cats and getting them in carriers. I wouldn't trust any over the counter stuff that claims to relax cats! Or yes, if possible a mobile vet.

We have to use a mobile vet as we have a very nervous rescue

They do not want to prescribe gabapentin for a cat they have never seen or assessed.

I've tried the food bribe, but suspicious cat does not go far enough into the carrier to close it behind him. He is a big cat.

I've only heard good things about this vet practice (from RL people, not online reviews) and I don't know of any mobile vet practice in the area.

Pheromone spray the carrier leave it open with a comfy blanket in and ignore it over Christmas he can investigate use it as a bed wander in and out just dont close the door

@Dilbertian

They do not want to prescribe gabapentin for a cat they have never seen or assessed.

My vet took this stance too and I was forced to bring my panther as he was.

The vet changed his tune when he had to wash the pee and poo off the cat and the carrier. I told them multiple times that he was terrified.

Vet apologised for stressing my boy and I got the gabapentin prescription. I would insist, ask for a lower dose to be safe.

@Dilbertian

I've tried the food bribe, but suspicious cat does not go far enough into the carrier to close it behind him. He is a big cat.

You need a bigger cat carrier. Preferably one that you can lower him into, arse first.

Had a couple of cats like this. The trick to getting them in is to put the carrier somewhere secure, like an armchair. Over gloves and long sleeves if bitey. Then confidently and quickly pick them up and put them in firmly and with no fuss.

May take more than one attempt but usually works.

Their upset in the carrier is very distressing I know but they will come to no harm and once seen the vet can start prescribing a relaxant.

Food and space when they get home, they'll be fine.

Oven*

We put the cat carrier out and made it comfortable for about 2 weeks before either needed to go to the vet appointment, we sprayed it with the feliway travel spray put some treats in and they were nervous at first but then one made it his bed and so when he needed to go into it for the vet it wasn't such an ordeal.

The other one I pick up quickly and calmly and put her into a carrier I open from the top. She makes such an awful mournful protest but the calmer I am the better I feel. Once she's back home all is well!

@Theunamedcat

Pheromone spray the carrier leave it open with a comfy blanket in and ignore it over Christmas he can investigate use it as a bed wander in and out just dont close the door

It's been left out like this for 8months. He ignores it. I put the cushion pad from it on a spot he liked to sleep in. He abandoned that spot.

I had no difficulties getting my previous cat into her carrier, even though she didn't like it either. But she didn't mind being picked up and carried around, whereas Mr Cat won't tolerate it.

Try Zylkene for about 2 weeks before the dreaded day. It won't make him much easier to crate, but will generally ease his stress levels. Maybe try one of the pheremone based diffusers in the run up too.

I leave treats in the carrier, and though I rarely see the cats go in they are always gone. If he's a catnip addict, that can help too!

Put the carrier on its end, door open.
Lift cat for a cuddle, bottom pointing down.
Lower cat into carrier bottom first, removing claws as needed.
Close door.

Worked for me for 15yrs!

Marmite on toast as the bribe?

As PP have said put box in a small room and lure cat into the room. You have to be firm and quick. Mine mostly hate the box but it's for their own good so I just have to harden my heart.

Good luck, I don't envy you.

Can you try a different type of carrier? Like a rattan one if you currently use plastic. Or a small crate rather than a carrier?

The difference may just be enough to convince mr cat that he’s not going back to the cpl. Wee soul.

Have you tried a soft mesh carrier instead of a plastic one? Ideally one with a top opening.

Open zip.
Swaddle cat in blanket or towel.
Drop cat into bag, pin down with towel/blanket while you zip the lid closed.

Works with ours and he's over 8kg in weight and very feisty

I need to master the swaddle.

If he soils I would be inclined to use newspaper and take extra for changing make sure your carrier is washable too I had a cat who couldn't travel the vet took her out and was like you poor darling cleaned her hosed her carrier out cuddled her like a baby gave her something to chill her for the journey home bloody cat would have eaten my face off if I had tried picking her up like that

I couldn't persuade my cat into the carrier. I'm sure she grew several more legs
Once I got a top loader it transformed our vet trips. So much easier to put her in and doesn't stress her as much

Big gloves, big cat carrier, both of you ready to pounce. I'm ashamed to admit that I resorted to a broom once, and literally swept cat into the corner of the room, where the only way out was into the carrier.

I practiced being picked up and put down with my cat so he doesn't assume being picked up means the carrier.