Page 2 | Getting anxious cat into basket

Idontknowhatnametochoose · 2025-09-17T07:27:58+00:00

Any quick tips on getting a very anxious cat into her basket? She's 14 but I've only had her two years and she views her basket as a torture device. I just need to take her to the vet to get her booster jab. It's always a fight to get her inside and we both end up stressed and upset. A taxi will be waiting. I absolutely hate doing this to her but it needs to be done. I wear gloves but she doesn't normally attempt to hurt me, she does fight me though and constantly leap out the basket before I can shut her in.

buffyfaithfredwesley · 17/09/2025 10:01

Lolapusht · 17/09/2025 09:30

Do it in the bathroom so there are less placed to hide if she escapes!

I usually put the carrier in the downstairs loo then go get the victim. Started doing this after a previous cat escaped and ran under the bed and i had to cancel the appointment.

I do that and casually start closing doors to herd them in there
then pick up, shove, slam door

LemonTwix · 17/09/2025 11:22

I think insurers still require a yearly check-up, even if not vaccinations? I have the same problem with my cat, I’m dreading the upcoming visit. I’ve had some success by bringing out the carrier about a week before and planting dreamies in it so she is used to hopping in there, and I also place her in there and then walk off casually without shutting her in. Therefore she is unsuspecting when the big day comes.

BadActingParsley · 17/09/2025 11:26

What worked for me was using a hard cat carrier and I'd have the cat in a corner and he'd walk into it while I pushed the carrier into the corner. He was a horror if you picked him up but didn't mind going into it himself.

DiscoBob · 17/09/2025 11:30

Get one of those zippy carriers that's all soft. Put the carrier so the front opening is facing upwards. Put cat in towel and gently drop into container. Zip shut then put right way round. Ie sideways. It might be a two man job but the less fuss you make the better. So do it really quietly and without anxiety.

My ones hated the rigid plastic box we used to have.

Original poster

Idontknowhatnametochoose · 17/09/2025 11:33

Success! She's upset but got her in. Hopefully it won't be awful at thr vets..

OP posts:

amylou8 · 17/09/2025 11:43

Get a rigid carrier with a top opening. Then get her in it in plenty of time so you're not stressing with a taxi beeping outside.

MagpiePi · 17/09/2025 11:45

Well done OP!

My cat will crawl back into the carrier at every opportunity when we are actually at the vets. 🙄

@DiscoBob I’ve got one of those carriers and think it is a pain because you have to unzip the whole side to get the cat in, and then hold him there while you try and zip it up with one hand. It has a stupid little door on one end that I think he would struggle to get through on his own if he wanted.

DiscoBob · 17/09/2025 12:23

MagpiePi · 17/09/2025 11:45

Well done OP!

My cat will crawl back into the carrier at every opportunity when we are actually at the vets. 🙄

@DiscoBob I’ve got one of those carriers and think it is a pain because you have to unzip the whole side to get the cat in, and then hold him there while you try and zip it up with one hand. It has a stupid little door on one end that I think he would struggle to get through on his own if he wanted.

I zip the whole thing up except the front door, put front door upwards and drop cat in. Maybe my cat is smaller, or just more compliant? He used to be horrific to get into the other box. I had scratches all over my belly!

I also try to get them to sleep in it so it's less threatening. That doesn't really work though. But they're not actively terrified of the very sight of it at least!

Original poster

Idontknowhatnametochoose · 17/09/2025 13:30

Thanks for all the tips. We got on ok at the vets but unfortunately she needs a dental so have to go back soon after Christmas. Vet will prescribe gabapentin for her.

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Original poster

Idontknowhatnametochoose · 17/09/2025 13:31

LemonTwix · 17/09/2025 11:22

I think insurers still require a yearly check-up, even if not vaccinations? I have the same problem with my cat, I’m dreading the upcoming visit. I’ve had some success by bringing out the carrier about a week before and planting dreamies in it so she is used to hopping in there, and I also place her in there and then walk off casually without shutting her in. Therefore she is unsuspecting when the big day comes.

They quite likely do insist on that so I'd have to take her anyway.

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SisterTeatime · 17/09/2025 13:39

Well done OP! My cat bites and scratches like crazy so it’s a perilous undertaking!

What I do is put a hot water bottle under something with a familiar smell to line the carrier. Have can of squirty cream (which he loves) to hand. Pick him up lovingly but very firmly and push him quite hard backwards into the carrier, slam it shut and then immediately squirt some cream through a gap for him to eat! We talk to him soothingly throughout.

The quicker the process the less painful for everyone! My DH can’t bear to shove him in but if you don’t do it firmly, he gets more and more agitated and tries to attack everyone.

Soontobe60 · 17/09/2025 13:44

Idontknowhatnametochoose · 17/09/2025 08:56

I wouldn't bother but her insurance is void if she isn't vaccinated.

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We had a very similar situation with our old dog. In the end we realised the stress we were putting him through at his age just wasn’t worth it because as the vet pointed out, if he were to become ill enough to see the vet, that would still result in a very stressed dog. We stopped the insurance, stopped the vaccinations and 2 years later at the grand old age of 16 he passed away peacefully in his sleep.
If your cat becomes ill and needs, say, weekly vets visits, how would you manage that?

Original poster

Idontknowhatnametochoose · 17/09/2025 13:48

Soontobe60 · 17/09/2025 13:44

We had a very similar situation with our old dog. In the end we realised the stress we were putting him through at his age just wasn’t worth it because as the vet pointed out, if he were to become ill enough to see the vet, that would still result in a very stressed dog. We stopped the insurance, stopped the vaccinations and 2 years later at the grand old age of 16 he passed away peacefully in his sleep.
If your cat becomes ill and needs, say, weekly vets visits, how would you manage that?

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Yes I understand your point. I stopped my dogs insurance as she's nearly 16 and she wouldn't cope with any surgery or long term treatment now anyway. But my cat is still active and healthy so I thought id continue insuring for the time being. It is something on my mind as you're right, getting her to the vets weekly would be impossible.

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mondaytosunday · 17/09/2025 13:51

I’ve recently read that cats don’t need them every year. If your cat is an indoors one they almost certainly don’t. I’ve had friends who after the first few as kittens have never vaccinated their cats! Ask your vet with the knowledge that they only make money if you do….

Original poster

Idontknowhatnametochoose · 17/09/2025 14:10

mondaytosunday · 17/09/2025 13:51

I’ve recently read that cats don’t need them every year. If your cat is an indoors one they almost certainly don’t. I’ve had friends who after the first few as kittens have never vaccinated their cats! Ask your vet with the knowledge that they only make money if you do….

My cat goes outside but the main reason I vaccinate her is that the pet insurance requires it. I don't want to risk them refusing to pay out somehow. I wouldn't bother otherwise as she won't be staying in a cattery anymore.

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ginasevern · 17/09/2025 14:10

Honestly OP, get a rigid cat carrier and up-end it so you can load the cat from the top. I had a carrier like yours when I got my first cat and I nearly had a nervous breakdown trying to get him to the vets. Since I've got the rigid carrier it's cut down on a good 70% of the stress.

Original poster

Idontknowhatnametochoose · 17/09/2025 14:11

ginasevern · 17/09/2025 14:10

Honestly OP, get a rigid cat carrier and up-end it so you can load the cat from the top. I had a carrier like yours when I got my first cat and I nearly had a nervous breakdown trying to get him to the vets. Since I've got the rigid carrier it's cut down on a good 70% of the stress.

Thanks. Yes I will get a hard carrier for her.

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OnTheBoardwalk · 17/09/2025 14:17

I changed from hard carriers as I was worried one cat would break out of it whilst she was banging herself against all sides of the carrier

i like my fabric one and how I can get her in from the top. Saying that one of the many zips was slightly open and with the force of a lion she managed to open it and get out, thankfully we were in the car at the time

i still prefer the fabric one but make sure all zips are locked with the hook at all times

she's a lovely cat really

ginasevern · 17/09/2025 14:17

Idontknowhatnametochoose · 17/09/2025 14:11

Thanks. Yes I will get a hard carrier for her.

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It really is a game changer. But obviously you still have to catch the cat first!

Pixiedust1234 · 17/09/2025 23:16

After watching two different cat rescues capture various nervous stray cats with ease from my garden I decided to invest in a similar carrier. Worth every penny as we no longer have to fight our cat, leg by leg,, to get into the crate (same with our previous cat). Catching her is a different matter though. We got one with the tray.

https://www.metalcote.co.uk/