Cats are the number-one pet in North America, yet they see their vets far less often than the average dog. Since cats don’t tend to get out that often (unless they are outdoor cats), it is difficult to get them accustomed to getting into their carrier. Show As a cat owner, you are likely well-acquainted with just how stubborn your cat can be. When they don’t want to do something, convincing them to do it is practically a miracle. For some cat owners, this translates into a tough time when it comes to getting them into their carrier. If you want to learn how to get an aggressive cat into a carrier, this is the article for you. We go through how to help your cat calm down and get them into their carrier with less anger and fewer scratches. Method 1: AcclimationIf you don’t have the time to get your cat accustomed to the carrier, see Step 2 for how you can get your cat into their carrier, whether they want to go in or not. Be aware, though, that doing something like this to your cat can add exponential amounts of stress that can be damaging if they are already ill. It is always best to take the time and have the patience to try to acclimate them to their carrier before their next appointment. Start by keeping your cat’s carrier out in a prominent spot in the home. Cats are intelligent creatures for the most part. If you only bring your cat carrier out when you need to, you will likely tip your cat off about what’s coming next. Instead, practice leaving it out for a while without doing anything negative with it. One of the best methods for getting your cat acclimated to their carrier is to help them associate it with positive things. If you know that your cat has a veterinary appointment or a trip when they will need to be in their cat carrier, use the following steps to get them ready. Acclimation
If you follow this process without ever having to force them into the carrier, your cat will associate the carrier with positive things. This way, when the time comes, you shouldn’t have to do much to coax the cat inside. Method 2: Getting your cat into their carrierThere is a chance that you might not convince your cat even after a couple of weeks of slow acclimation. If that is the case and you still need them to come with you on a trip or go to their vet appointment, you will need a different solution altogether. The Purrito TechniqueThe Purrito Technique is recommended for aggressive cats that don’t like being in their carriers. This technique allows you to protect yourself from your cat’s claws and them from getting so worked up that they end up hurting themselves while you try to put them inside their carrier. Purrito Technique
Even if the acclimation technique doesn’t work the first time, we suggest retrying it each time you need them to get into the carrier. This method is best for those times when you need to quickly get an aggressive cat into a carrier and don’t have the time to get them accustomed to it. Doing this too often, however, can end up backfiring over time, and they may come to hate it even more. Are you in the market for a cozy and cute cat bed? You'll love the Hepper Instant Ramen Cat Bed, an adorable novelty bed with an optional lid! At Pet Keen, we've admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Keeping your cat calmOnce the cat is in the carrier, you want to enact your plan of keeping your cat calm while they are inside the carrier. You don’t want them to end up hurting themselves by getting too anxious. Tips to effectively keep your cat calm during the ride to the vet include: Tips to Keep your Cat Calm down
If your cat has a deeply traumatizing memory involving a carrier, they might need more extreme methods to get them to remain calm. You might want to talk to your vet about a sedative to reduce their anxiety and make examinations easier. Related Reads:
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Nicole Cosgrove Lead Pet Expert & Pet-ditor in Chief Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe....Read more How do you put an angry cat in a carrier?Teach your cat to associate the carrier with pleasant things
Start by feeding your cat near the open carrier. You can do the same with some cat treats or even catnip, creating positive associations with the carrier. Once your cat is used to eating near the carrier, gradually move his food just inside the carrier door.
What do you do if your cat hates the carrier?Permanently leave the carrier somewhere in your home where your cat likes to spend a lot of their time. Leave the carrier open or remove the door and place bedding inside of it for them. Place food, treats, catnip, or toys inside of it to encourage them to spend more time there.
How do you get an uncooperative cat to the vet?So, if your cat has become wary of the vet, here's a few tips to stop that simple visit from turning into a nightmare.. Vet home visits. ... . Make their cat box seem appealing. ... . Use a crush cage. ... . Pacify your cat. ... . Protect yourself. ... . Get pet insurance.. |