getting a cat into a carrier

WeAreGhosts

our rescue cat hates being picked up and struggles within seconds. when she sees she's being taken to the carrier she goes crazy - claws come out, paws splayed, teeth bared, everything.
when she needs to go to the vet i get the carrier out as early as i can and she rubs against it and plays with the lid and does not seem all that bothered by it. i also spray it with feliway. but getting her in it is an absolute nightmare.

does anyone have any tips?

also, how can i "train" her to be picked up? i am picking her up once a day for about 5 seconds at a time to try and desensitize her, is there any other things i could do?

whodathunkit

Put the carrier on end and lower her in - let gravity help you.

WeAreGhosts

whodathunkit wrote: »

Put the carrier on end and lower her in - let gravity help you.

we use one like this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Premium-Large-Carrier-Basket-White/dp/B004VKSTGW

this is our third carrier cos all the others were flimsy and she struggles and scratches so much she gets out of those that you can upend. the current one is more sturdy.

GwylimT

The reverse technique! Our cats carrier is always open in the dining room and she often sleeps in it, that way it isn't such a scary thing and hopefully offers her some comfort while at the vets.

WeAreGhosts

GwylimT wrote: »

The reverse technique! Our cats carrier is always open in the dining room and she often sleeps in it, that way it isn't such a scary thing and hopefully offers her some comfort while at the vets.

aww, how sweet. i will try leaving it out all the time

Podge52

Do you have the bottom lined? It may be she doesn't like the feel of the wire under her paws.

WeAreGhosts

Podge52 wrote: »

Do you have the bottom lined? It may be she doesn't like the feel of the wire under her paws.

Yep it has a fleecy mat on the bottom which is quite thick

funny thing is she gets quite comfy when she is eventually in the carrier, she never seems bothered once she's in it

harveybobbles

We only use top loaders with any small animal.

calicocat

I did a thread on this about a year ago, I can't post links from a mobile, and can't remember the exact title, but if you can look up threads I started (?? If one can do that? ), you will find loads of tips there.

Mine is same and 14 now.

Up-ending crate certainly helps...as does throw towel over...grab..and sling in box (once you have caught said cat.

Feliway may help?...worked wonders on mine when moving.,,,Edit, I see you have tried that.



Found it...it was titled:

Help! How do I get my cat in the basket for the vets on my own...






Also, mine is now 14(ish)....and still isn't keen to be picked up, better than when younger, but will never love it.

no1catman

Ah, this brings back memories, and scratch marks! The 'joys' of trying to get my last cat into a carrier - to either go to a vet, or to a cattery. Sometimes it would take an hour, but as she got older she became less resistant.
I remember arriving in a holiday hotel with a line of blood down my face, due to the 'combat'.
Yet, I had no problem picking up normally - when she was a kitten, she would jump up my back and sit on my shoulder!


Fortunately the new one (so far so good) is better!

laurel7172

After many years of being scratched and, far worse, fearing that I'd hurt the cat in the struggle, I hit on the technique of gently-but-firmly holding the front legs together with one hand, while holding the back legs together (and supporting the bodyweight) with the other. Slide straight into carrier...stress and risk of injury minimised on all sides.