topic Re: What Types Of Machinations Do You Employ To Get Your Cat Into The Carrier? in Community Chat

What Types Of Machinations Do You Employ To Get Your Cat Into The Carrier?

Moonlady — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 15:49:22 GMT

Our cat's already acting squirrelly since I brought his up from the basement. He has his annual checkup/shots in about 10 days, and he'll also be gettinig his nails clipped.

I was talking to a friend and she said that she often can't get "Toots" into the carrier and has had to occasionally cancel an appointment. She mentioned some of the ways she's had to try to get her in. We have carrier with a top entry, so getting him in there isn't a problem, he just acts very suspicious when he sees it (I don't want it upstairs permanently). I have to say, he's a very good traveler, though.

We see a lot of cat owners at the vet's office with their cats wrapped in a towel. Aside from the safety issue of traveling with an unsecured cat, that wouldn't work with us because ours doesn't like to be held (lap, yes).

How about you?

Re: What Types Of Machinations Do You Employ To Get Your Cat Into The Carrier?

azterry! — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:22:29 GMT

I have a front entry carrier. If I know a trip for them is coming up, I place a towel in the carrier and some treats. I leave it in my bedroom for a few days with the door open. The cats are naturally curious and drawn by the treats. They go in and out willingly and one of them actually naps in there.

When they've become comfortable, I place them in there myself a few times. They don't fuss because the carrier has become an accepted place for them to go.

Good luck!

Re: What Types Of Machinations Do You Employ To Get Your Cat Into The Carrier?

Moonlady — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:28:49 GMT

On 3/27/2014 azterry! said:

I have a front entry carrier. If I know a trip for them is coming up, I place a towel in the carrier and some treats. I leave it in my bedroom for a few days with the door open. The cats are naturally curious and drawn by the treats. They go in and out willingly and one of them actually naps in there.

When they've become comfortable, I place them in there myself a few times. They don't fuss because the carrier has become an accepted place for them to go.

Good luck!

LOL, my SIL has a side-entry carrier, and she says she puts it upside down so the side is on top, then lets gravity do the job.

Re: What Types Of Machinations Do You Employ To Get Your Cat Into The Carrier?

SydneyH — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:31:38 GMT

It takes me a full day to put my cat in the carrier. It's almost like he can sense it the day before. Fortunately I have a vet that comes to my house now so I don't have to do it very often. I usually have to put him in the bathroom, then cover him with a blanket and transfer him to the carrier, not a fun time I can assure you, lol.

Re: What Types Of Machinations Do You Employ To Get Your Cat Into The Carrier?

MrsLorraine — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:32:46 GMT

After I stopping chuckling over the way you worded the title of this thread -- really well said! -- I talked to DH about this.

We used to have a front loader and since Boo is a fairly large cat, it was hill to try and wrestle him into it, plus he'd cry and scream. So I bought a larger, top-loading carrier and that works much better.

We keep the carrier downstairs where he can't see it; and when we start closing doors so he can't run and hide under a bed or other furniture, he knows what's coming and hides in a back closet (we always leave that open for him so he can having a hiding place he feels safe in), scrunches down as much as 15 lbs. will let him, till we come fetch him. He hollers and howls when we're in the car but he runs back into the carrier as soon as the vet lets him out.

Mr. Boo is going to get weighed, his blood pressure checked, and his dental surgery post-check this Saturday. And thank God we have a vet that's open every other Saturday because I can't possibly handle that big, squirming cat all by myself.

Re: What Types Of Machinations Do You Employ To Get Your Cat Into The Carrier?

mikki_g — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:36:07 GMT

Funny posts!

Here's what we do...

we stand the carrier on its end then lower the cat in back feet first.

works easily! every time.

Re: What Types Of Machinations Do You Employ To Get Your Cat Into The Carrier?

MaggieToo — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:36:18 GMT

Upend the carrier, pick her up and stuff her in. Then, zip it as fast as I can.

Re: What Types Of Machinations Do You Employ To Get Your Cat Into The Carrier?

Suziepeach — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:38:11 GMT

Re: What Types Of Machinations Do You Employ To Get Your Cat Into The Carrier?

dooBdoo — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:38:18 GMT

I have the front-loading type. It's simple, though:

1 -- Open the door and place the carrier on its end, with the open door up.

2 -- It becomes a top-loading carrier.

3 -- Pick up kitty, let gravity be your friend, quickly and gently lower her/him into the carrier.

4 -- Close the door.

All done, no problems!

Stop the stuffing madness!

(edited by me, the invisible poster)

Re: What Types Of Machinations Do You Employ To Get Your Cat Into The Carrier?

SeaGal — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:38:23 GMT

The only tip I have is to make sure the carrier is backed up to a wall. Gives ya more leverage!

Isnt it funny how they are so happy to get back in it when you are ready to leave the vet! Have fun lol!!

Re: What Types Of Machinations Do You Employ To Get Your Cat Into The Carrier?

SydneyH — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:39:36 GMT

On 3/27/2014 SeaGal said:
The only tip I have is to make sure the carrier is backed up to a wall. Gives ya more leverage!

Isnt it funny how they are so happy to get back in it when you are ready to leave the vet! Have fun lol!!

OMG, ain't that the truth! All the vet has to do is point and it's done, lol.

Re: What Types Of Machinations Do You Employ To Get Your Cat Into The Carrier?

SeaGal — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:40:40 GMT

On 3/27/2014 SydneyH said:
It takes me a full day to put my cat in the carrier. It's almost like he can sense it the day before. Fortunately I have a vet that comes to my house now so I don't have to do it very often. I usually have to put him in the bathroom, then cover him with a blanket and transfer him to the carrier, not a fun time I can assure you, lol.

Oh my, this cracked me up, it takes me a full day to get him in it.

Re: What Types Of Machinations Do You Employ To Get Your Cat Into The Carrier?

SeaGal — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:42:04 GMT

True that Syd

Re: What Types Of Machinations Do You Employ To Get Your Cat Into The Carrier?

focksie — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:44:02 GMT

"We have carrier with a top entry, so getting him in there isn't a problem, he just acts very suspicious when he sees it"

We keep the carrier in a closet so have the same problem. As soon as our cats even hear the sounds that the carrier makes when we take it out of the closet, they skedaddle. It's good that you took it out a few days in advance of the appointment. Leave it out near your cat's favorite place. Make the carrier a positive experience. Put a comfy towel inside. Put a few Temptations bits inside the carrier every day. Let kitty go in and get the reward. Pay no attention to her when she's doing this. After doing this, we found that our cats actually sat inside the carrier during the day.

Re: What Types Of Machinations Do You Employ To Get Your Cat Into The Carrier?

BellaPaprika — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:46:00 GMT

I prefer the top loader. We pick him up then grab the carrier from the closet. If he sees it out he runs and hides. One of us sets him in the bottom and holds him down as the other person secures the lid over him. Then he wails and cries all the way to the vet and home again.

Re: What Types Of Machinations Do You Employ To Get Your Cat Into The Carrier?

SydneyH — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:46:07 GMT

On 3/27/2014 SeaGal said:
Oh my, this cracked me up, it takes me a full day to get him in it.

I'm laughing now, but back then........not soo much.

Re: What Types Of Machinations Do You Employ To Get Your Cat Into The Carrier?

MaggieToo — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:51:06 GMT

I forgot to add that the carrier becomes ""wet"" at some point -- in protest!

Re: What Types Of Machinations Do You Employ To Get Your Cat Into The Carrier?

SeaGal — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:51:23 GMT

On 3/27/2014 SydneyH said:
On 3/27/2014 SeaGal said:
Oh my, this cracked me up, it takes me a full day to get him in it.

I'm laughing now, but back then........not soo much.

Yah, I am laughing now but I have 4 of them needing their shots within the month and I really dread it!

Funny thread, I have tears in my eyes from laughing!!

Re: What Types Of Machinations Do You Employ To Get Your Cat Into The Carrier?

Moonlady — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:54:01 GMT

On 3/27/2014 focksie said:
"We have carrier with a top entry, so getting him in there isn't a problem, he just acts very suspicious when he sees it"

We keep the carrier in a closet so have the same problem. As soon as our cats even hear the sounds that the carrier makes when we take it out of the closet, they skedaddle. It's good that you took it out a few days in advance of the appointment. Leave it out near your cat's favorite place. Make the carrier a positive experience. Put a comfy towel inside. Put a few Temptations bits inside the carrier every day. Let kitty go in and get the reward. Pay no attention to her when she's doing this. After doing this, we found that our cats actually sat inside the carrier during the day.

Yes! That's why it's up here 10 days iin advance. I hesitated about having him associate his positive treats with the negative experience of the carrier, but I relented, and drop one occasionally in the carrier when I walk by--then I leave so he thinks I don't know he's in there. I saw him retrieving one yesterday, and just walked past him as if I didn't notice...

He has to feel as if he's getting over on me.

Re: What Types Of Machinations Do You Employ To Get Your Cat Into The Carrier?

Madisson — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:56:21 GMT

I have a terrible time getting my two cats into the carrier. Once they are in there, they scream the whole way to the vet.

One of my cats has been very sick. Yesterday, I had to take her to the vet urgently. I just grabbed a blanket and picked her up and took her that way. The little stinker...the vet says he thinks the problem is anxiety...peeing outside the box. Cost me $450 to find that out. He said to try Feliway.