how to get a reluctant cat into the carrier
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2022
- Dr. Foote demonstrates, with Sweetie how to get a cat into a carrier with less stress and avoid cat bites. Dr. Foote demonstrates the fine points of how to get a towel over the cat's body and head, encasing the cat in a calm fashion to place into a carrier.
Lastly, Dr. Foote shows how to help the cat exit the carrier, and avoid any reaching into the carrier which causes many cats to hiss, fight and bite. When a cat is that agitated, the veterinarian cannot perform an exam safely, and your cat is affected by the stress as well.
Help your cat by understanding their behavior. Take the Cat health and behavior at all ages course available on demand from Dr Foote
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I had to move from my rented apartment to another one across town for which i had already paid, i was in trying to get him into a carrier for 6 hours finally at 10pm i saw your video, my cat was jumping everwhere from fridge to hiding under bed, sofa, i was this close to giving up and thinking i will just pay rent for one more month for my cat and let him have his own apartment, finally after wacthing your video i was able to get him inside the carrier and transport him.
I am in my new apartment now and both me and my cat slept the entire morning, tired from our battle, i have about 2 deep bites and several scrathes, bathing is a bit tough, but we are good now, he got a lot of treats and even layed down next to me to comfort me
me, watching this with my arms covered in scratches and blood, a large scratch across my face. "I see... hm.."
I know what you mean. One of mine scratched and bit the f out of my right hand. Blood everywhere. Two days later, $22,000.00 surgery on said hand.
😹😹😹 I hope you're okay now, your comment really made me chuckle.
Mine becomes a tiny lithe manga ninja assassin if a feather in the next county falls to the left of the cherry blossoms and catches any whiff that I am getting set to do anything. My son has scars from her attempts at face parkour. SHE MUST GO TO THE VET! *sobbing* 😢
@@wcook5109 God damn dude, that sucks. Did you make her work it off lol
@@MissMarchHare I know just what you mean. It’s time to take my two fury hell-balls to the vet and I am literally scared shitless to try and crate them.
My cat runs the moment she sees a pillow case or blanket.
Mine too
Having missed Polly's vet appointment this afternoon due to my inability to get her into her carrier, I sure wish I had watched this video beforehand. Very helpful!
I am having the same issue and I know exactly how you feel. Its so frustrating. Did this method work for you?
I am glad to know my cat is not vicious wild feline, and good to know I am not the biggest dork ! It seems this is a common issue with cats !
Me too!!!my babies appt is tomorrow wish me luck
Omg, thank you thank you a billion times over. In about 3 hours I have to get my already unfriendly cat into the carrier and I swear she already knows what I’m thinking and is getting amped for a fight. I reallllllllly hope this works 🙏🤞
Let me know- the important part is covering her without a struggle. You may need to have carrier out of sight when you cover her then put her in. Practice with a stuffed animal or pillow as you only get one chance to get her in.
Thank you for these tips! I’ve been a cat rescuer for 10yrs and can always get them into carriers but of course my own cat is impossible lol I feel much better making my vet appt knowing I think I can get her in a carrier fairly stress free 👍🏼
You are welcome! take a look at some of the articles on my website as well to help with cat behavior.
KL- My hat is off to you for being a rescuer! That is how we adopted Muffin. I was also given the email address of her foster mom. She was so helpful, sharing Muffin's history , personality and what food she was fed. NH is primarily a non-euthanasia state. Others are not so inclined. Stratham SPCA takes rescue kittens in from other non-profits. Muffin is the sweetest little cat ~Diane
Hello. I have recently been trying to get this stray cat to get inside the carrier for her spay appointment. But she is impossible to get inside, what else are the other methods?
Trying to get my cat in a carrier is like trying to get wolverine in a gimp suit. Arousing but difficult...
I wish Dr sally would come and help me get a cat into a carrier.
Great advice! I have a cat who will sleep in his carrier willingly! I leave it out in the open and when he’s scared or anxious he’ll go to his carrier. 😁🥰
I wish more cat owners would keep the carrier out.
I do as well but never seems to be sleeping in the carrier when my husband and I need him to be.
@@DrSallyJFoote I do, but it just doesn't help. I never had a cat that liked being in their carrier (or big bag or basket or whatever) no matter how many blankets and stuff I put inside, or how many treats I put in there or cat nip.
We have fleas for the first time ever. 3 house cats who have never been out and have never had fleas. It took me time to realize what is going on. I buy a lot of fruit and I thought it was gnats. My mother died recently and I have become disabled with motility issues. Applying for disability in Georgia. So much on my mind then one of the cats died. I tried to get an autopsy but ran out of time. I have lost my mind and I can barely walk. I have been trying to get the cat's in a carrier. One of them is easy. One just will not go. I went ahead took the easy one to the vet. I have had to cancel three pest control appointments.. The cats have been treated for fleas. I know this is long. I really hope this method works. I cry all the time. My sister died 3 years ago. We all moved in to this house together. Now I feel all alone. Wish me luck. These cats are everything to me now. 😢
Sending prayers to you and your family
Cat went behind the fridge
so sorry - keep the carrier out of sight until you have the kitty in the towel, then go and load.
That is actually a good way. Wish me luck! My senior I adopted 5 months ago does not allow you to pick him up. He fights!
you are welcome
Thank you Dr. Sally this made such a difference getting a large 9 month old semi feral male kitten into carrier for an 8am vet visit to nuter.
Thank you that was fantastic
This worked! Thank you!
thank you so much Dr. Foote!
Thank you, these are great tips and valuable information!
This is so helpful. Wish me luck I’m taking my boy in a week and this is round 2 because he beat me the first time 😭😭😭
I'm moving house and it took me hours and at thar point I was desperate. This video helped so much. You're an angel. Thank you
you are very welcome! And use the Feliway spray to help your kitty settle into the new home
I wish you were my veterinarian! Your clients are so lucky to have such a gentle, caring, and knowledgeable doctor💕 Thank you for sharing some tips. I’ll be taking my cat to the vet tmrw and clearly already stressing over it lol😣
Thank you so much, we had to get my cat Bowie to the vet with a deep wound from fighting ( we presume) which became infected. I was so worried as I hadn't been able to get him in carrier for routine appointments. I had tried wrapping him in blanket, as had been suggested, previously but it hadn't worked. Also worried about getting him back in carrier after the consultation. But hadn't covered his head previously. This is the key! He became very docile and wasn't fighting to get out either, as previously. Maybe because he is poorly. Anyway on his 3rd day of antibiotics and wound clearing up. Still needs a check up next wk, so 🤞 technique will work again. He possibly needs an op to mend the wound. 😢
Hello Dr. Sally from our farm in ⛵⛵ Central Lakes New Hampshire. New subscriber and so grateful for this video! I have this type of carrier for our 7 month old kitten who came from a feral litter. She was trapped at 8 weeks and I can tell you she hates the carrier :-( We got her two weeks ago. Muffin has come out of her shell and is friendly and loving. When the kittens were transported to NH, they all contracted a URI and were medicated. Now my kitten is developing runny eyes again, with occasional sneezing. She is eating, sleeping well and playing, but I am calling my vet today. It is Monday and a blizzard is underway here. Hoping to take her in tomorrow morning. I previously dropped off her records at the vet and was given that travel pheromone spray.
I can't say enough good things about SOS Rescue in Macon, GA for their feral cat kitten rescues program. Muffin was placed in foster care for four months, handled, house trained, wormed, vaccinated, spayed, micro chip and transported to a sister NHSPCA/Stratham, NH., where she was vetted on the spot and lovingly tended to by the volunteers. We drove the two hour trip to the coast to adopt her this month. ~ Diane
Perfect, thank you so much doctor, exactly what I needed! ❤
Very helpful advice. I keep the cat carriers out and my two will even sleep in them. However when it comes time to go somewhere, one cat is easy going and just goes in. The other cat will immediately run and hide. I have not tried the Feliway though. Thank you
use the feliway and toss food into the carrier like a game every day for both cats. Practice using a towel to cover your hiding cat - with treats under the towel so you can load your cat easier. Also try a pillow case as a carrier. I have a video showing that on the channel.
Exactly the same going on here. One cat is easy and one runs and hides. And yes, I keep their carriers out all the time too. And they both will sleep in them occasionally as well.
Makes sense. The logic is to basically cover their eyes. I do the same with my cat, cover his eyes and directly present him the inside of the carrier.
Thank you!
you are welcome
Im about to attempt to get a very sweet but also extremely skittish stray kitty into s carrier with this technique 🤞😸 thank you so much for posting this video!❤
You are welcome
When we we have a vet visit tomorrow, we get in here!
This worked well for a cat that was quite timid and difficult to get into the carrier. I was able to get it in without anyone's help. Thank you so much. ☺
You are very welcome! I am glad it helped your cat.
Great idea! I’m going to try it!
great!
You made that look so easy Doc. Lol. What do you call that spray? Thank you.
Thank you!!! 🙏💐🙌I've been worried for weeks...😟😫 Tomorrow is our appointment and i am already having knots in my stomach, because we had to cancel previous one, just like you mentioned in the video. What a relief!! (Assuming i will succeed...i will practice on my stuffed animals i guess 🤔☺️)
Your cat wasn't that bad. Mine are like wildcats and fight like heck. One boy actually forced open the carrier door.
And the other cried so hard I let him out. What I and other cat dads need is a strong sedative that is safe-and gabapentin is worthless.
Hopefully somebody will come up with something to knock them out.
your cat will need a combination of medications. Contact me through my website for a vet care consultation.
My friend gave me a Gabapentin in capsule form. It didn't work when I opened it up and mixed it in his wet food.
This would make it so much easier to take him to the vet. He was born outside and taken inside at 6 months old. He doesn't like to be picked up and freaks out.
So Gabapentin did not even initially get your kitties to be a little sedated? I wonder how much you gave them starting with the night before. My Shana is a horror story at the vets. When I got the full dose in her she was definitely feeling the Gabapentin but unfortunately with her disposition she came out of it at the vets and I had to take her home.
My cat is so frightened of the carrier she pees on the floor whilst I’m trying to get her into it. She cowers and cries as I’m trying to catch her. I’m always in tears by the time I get her in. It’s really upsetting. I’ll try this next time.
Thanks for the tip! I use Travel Anxiety drops by Homeopet. Follow the directions and my cat is a bit mellow. Not perfect, but he's not a panther either, and less crying in the car. I'm trying it tomorrow with a stray kitty that needs help. 🤞 oh I have Feliway I think and will plug it in the garage while we wait for the appointment.
That looked very nice. My cat doesn`t do collar or harness or leash. If you did that with my cat you may need stitches. I am at wits end. I haven`t been to vet for 3 yrs. and cancelled last 2 appts. at last minute due to failure. I`m so embarrassed I just don`t go.Wish I had a tranquilizer gun. PS: He`s very nice as long as I don`t get him near the cage I have in living room over 2 yrs..
Try an alternative carrier - a pillow case, or a laundry basket.
I have a couple of pillow case videos on my channel. consider contacting me for a consultation to show you how to have your cat like the carrier, pillow case or alternative carrier.
Barackmycat- Dr. Sally did not recommend any mild relaxer from the vet. Is that ok for a hysterical cat? Maybe in a pill pocket or drops? I'm a cat person and this is my first time with a kitten who could give me a challenging time about the carrier. I am going to try the towel and pheromone spray.
You have to learn to do the difficult things for the health of your cat. Not wanting to (and not taking the time to educate yourself) is inexcusable. Your cat relies on you to keep it healthy and safe. And that includes regular vet visits. Don't wait until your cat is so sick that you don't have a choice, by then it may be too late.
@@ShereenaD Relax. I am well educated and don't need your advice.
I canceled my appts too 😢 you are not alone
Great tips ive a very skittish aggressive feral kitty to get to vet and will try this ❤
let me know how it works for you
@@DrSallyJFoote Will do trying tomorrow 👍
@@ferryportia9442 Did it work?
You aint update@@ferryportia9442
I laughed so hard at this, I think it's nervous 😂 I can't imagine doing this to my big feisty cat
My cat would be too distressed with a harness especially following him into the carrier too but thank you for sharing 💜
if not a harness, then work on using a pillow case as a carrier. I have videos demonstrating that on the channel.
@@DrSallyJFoote thank you DrSally 😊
@@deborahmeyers551 you are very welcome!
I’m attempting to apply this logic to prawns
Today I had an appointment for my Kitty but could not take her because although she is a lovely cat, she transforms into a wild Jaguar when about to be put into her carrier.
She scratched my shoulder , my hand and almost got my face
After seeing your video now I have hopes
The vet ga e me a new appointment tomorrow early in the day so I will do the towel trick.
Wish cats were more mellow in regard to carriers.
I have traveled with her overseas and soon will go on a 4 month trip. She will go with me. Any tricks for getting her into the soft carriers used for airplane in cabin flights ?
Thank you for this. Any tips on how to approach a cat who is very nervous and reels back or runs when you approach?
Had him for 3 weeks but needs to go for a check up soon, sadly hes had a very poor first few years so trying to give him a new best life.
any and all approach to this cat has to be one where he responds by approaching you, then you add a towel or pillow case as a tool that he will like when you hold it, and then you practice just a quick cover before picking him up, then into a career. For this, do not feed him out of a bowl, use his food to toss to him every time you walk past, come into a room, or approach him. Add ground liver or tuna flakes to make the dry food tasty. you could use canned food but small bits must be tossed, not a huge bowl because you have to time the rewards.
You can get the calming treats to give to him as you practice the towel-carrier part for the vet visit.
see my website, blog, and other resources on my website www.drsallyjfoote.com/
What’s “Feel Away “spray
Feliway is the feline marking pheromone spray. It is available at pet stores, and online by CEVA Corp. It helps cats feel as if they have been in a place already and that decreases stress
The people who have avoided the vets because of your cat, have you tried going to a cat specialist vet? That's where i now take my stressed Shana. Her assistant is wonderful. She wears the long thick leather gloves and knows how to handle a difficult cat.
The vet isn't the problem. It's getting there.
I had no luck getting max in to the crate I think I would need medical attention he is in the crate while I’m eating dinner he got in it own his own
Should the cat be taken to vet with harness and leash?
Yes, if the cat is accustomed to wearing one. It can be a good way to hold the cat with fewer hands on them.
What kind of spray did you use on the towel for your cat to calm down?
Feliway classic - this is the marking pheromone by Ceva. www.chewy.com/feliway-classic-calming-spray-cats/dp/141900
Thank You 😊
That was an easy cat. Why do all of these videos only show supremely easy cats? Let's see a hard one.
I've had two failed visits and need the next to be successful 😩 would you be able to do this technique with the cat lying on your lap? My cat will always get onto my lap but I can't guarantee my cat will be in a lying position in front of me on the floor where I can easily do this.
yes, or I prefer to use a pillow case to quickly cover over the head and body then they cannot jump off your lap, you hold the case shut like a bag and load them into the carrier. Leave the pillowcase in there.
Thanks, might try this in future.... In the end I managed to pick him up and directly place him in the box and shut it quickly... This was after a failed attempt with the towel with him on the floor in front of me (he managed to wriggle his legs) and a failed attempt directly dropping him into the box... It was so stressful and he was quite distressed :( but I'm glad I finally got him to the vet and hopefully no trips until next year 🤞🏼
@@Louise-jl2eh tell your vet about your troubles. Gabapentin is a good medication to give ahead of time to help your cat be more calm for the carrier and the exam.
Nice exercise with a cat that is already on a leash 🙄..... ok.... might work with a sweet tame cat. but certainly not with a feral cat. even getting the towel over him in an enclosed room with no hiding spaces is the hugest challenge. and when I try to pick him up in it he puts up such a HUGE struggle that my strength simply is not enough to contain him. I end up with bloody arms and face 😕
But of course, for most house cats these are great tips. In fact as long as you can pick up your cat you don't actually need a blanket when you have a top-opening carrier.
How do you approach this method if the cat is not lying down but you still need to get them in the carrier?
do the same approach getting the towel over their head and front paws. Have the carrier nearby but out of sight of the cat and have the carrier standing on the end so you are loading the cat into in as if it was diving into it. Then gravity helps to have the cat go in.
Any tips for babies that tend to pee in the carrier? My poor honey has done it twice now. I feel like she gets so scared and then pees on herself.
give melatonin or gabapentin as a pre med 1 hour before going into the carrier. Contact your vet for the dosage
It seems to just be easier to grab them by the scruff
Oh my goodness that looks like my male cat lonely boy
I have a lot of experience and expertise doing this, but the cat I have now will absolutely not be held or picked up and nothing I do works. Unless medication is transdermal, she won’t let me hold her to give her oral meds and she knows when something is added to her food. I’m out of ideas. she hurts herself even when I try this method, no matter how close I hold her.
Take this workshop course. It will give you a lot of understanding about why your cat behaves this way and demo videos to show what to do.
www.drsallyjfoote.com/product/spicy-cat-home-care-recording/
I’m sorry and I understand! 🌸
Giant cat Baton will not be pleased with this new technique
That cat is not really aggressive, lol.
true and if they are then one is missing the clues the cat is giving that they do not like the towel or process. Work on those points with the help of medication.
bro my cat can aint be this dumb
sorry but i'm laughing here. if you have a truly nutty crazy cat there would be paws n claws flying everywhere. this cat just took the scooping no problem. try this with a REALLY "reluctant" cat. then what?
watch some of my other videos to understand why cats escalate and how to decrease that struggle
I know you are doing your best but this was largely not helpful! Tossing a blanket over a tame cat lying on the floor in the middle of the room is not the same as cornering a hysterical cat in an awkward place trying to grab them, wrap them securely, and stuff them in. I'm trying to take my adult cats to get fixed and they are fully awake and conscious. I've even borrowed a small dog crate with a larger door and tipped it up to drop them in face down but this moring they still got away. Fighting a struggling cat is NOTHING like this video! I am going to get the Feliway spray but I'm really dubious how much good that does in the seconds between wrapping and the carrier.
There is a range of stress levels that clients are dealing with. Your cat is already way too stressed at your approach. I have other videos discussing the need to keep the carrier out, feed the cats in it to acclimate them. cornering the cat is the most upsetting thing to all cats - If your cat runs and hides at your approach - you need to toss food as you approach, walk quietly, be calm yourself and hide the towel or pillowcase.
contact your vet immediately for an oral sedative you put in the cat's food 2 hours before any handling. You cat needs the sedation ahead of handling. Or ask what supplement to feed at a high dose if they cannot prescribe the medication.
@@DrSallyJFoote Thank you for the additional advice. She was actually fairly calm the first time until I got her in the towle and headed toward the carrier. I just got the carrier a few days ago, but I will leave it out. I'm not sure about feeding them in the carrier. It's a very complicated situation. I wont try to tell the whole story but I found a female kitten in a parking lot and she ended up having four male kittens that are now a year old, in addition to two older cats that I already owned. Now I have five adult cats to get fixed and three of them will have to be put back in the carrier to be re-homed. I'm scared to death now that she will go into heat before I can get her to the vet. I was told not to let her eat after midnight and getting one of them to take medicine without the others getting into it will be trick. It breaks my heart to say it but, if I had known how this would end up, I would have left her in the parking lot.
First of all there’s no way my cat would let me or anyone else put a leash on her let alone let me put a blanket over her, come try to put my cat in a crate
For difficult cats, leave the carrier out in the living area, and toss food into it daily to get your cat to choose to go in.
I hate when people use such small carriers for their pets. They can barely move in them. How would you like to be in a box.
so what do you suggest as a way of transporting a cat to the vet so it has space? a freakin wardrobe?
Lori Lal- Hello from NH! That size carrier is perfect for my 7 month old kitten. She doesn't even take up half, but I have a roomy soft carrier for when she gets bigger.
I wish I could take my cat in a soft carrier. They are so much lighter.
I hope the cat is also able to breathe ....