Cat carriers

[Jiji]

they can smell a plot !

Never a truer word...   

[sheilarose]

I have one cat who stretches out into a four legged star when he sees a basket.

I put a small blanket on my knee and wrap the cat in it so his rear paws are under cover and hold his front paws together, have the carrier turned on end so the hole is at the top then drop him in bottom first like a bag of spuds, blanket and all - this stops him swishing his tail into the doorway and gravity helps him stay put long enough for you to shut the door, after that it's just a matter of gently turning the box the right way up so he unwraps himself from the blanket and finds his feet on the bottom.

The trick here of course is getting the box ready first without alerting kit to your evil plans, and don't sweat when you've got the blanket ready - they can smell a plot !

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

I leave my carrier lying out for a few days before I need to use it for them so that they get used to it and I have quite a large carrier which has a top opening part.   To be honest, it's still not that easy but it's a little better.

Thanks.  Haven't tried that as they tend to go and hide when a carrier comes out!  I suppose they could get used to the sight of it after a bit though.

I wouldn't count on it.  I leave carriers out permanently to use as beds but it doesn't make it any easier to get them into them when it's V.E.T. time.

[CuteCats]

I leave my carrier lying out for a few days before I need to use it for them so that they get used to it and I have quite a large carrier which has a top opening part.   To be honest, it's still not that easy but it's a little better.

Thanks.  Haven't tried that as they tend to go and hide when a carrier comes out!  I suppose they could get used to the sight of it after a bit though.

[Angeladeedah]

I leave my carrier lying out for a few days before I need to use it for them so that they get used to it and I have quite a large carrier which has a top opening part.   To be honest, it's still not that easy but it's a little better.

[Fire Fox]

Clicker training could be a long-term solution, I've seen tutorials on YouTube for getting a cat into a carrier under their own steam. Alternatively if there are two of you a large top opening carrier - I have the Pet Cargo Cabrio which is huge with the entire top half opening up in two parts. Not a cheap option which is why I suggested the clicker. 

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

Even 4 hands struggle with Mosi.  It's not that he's too bad to get into his carrier but he always swishes his tail around so that it's coming out of the door before I can close it!  Then trying to push his tail back in without him coming out is the challenge.  Last time he was at the vet it took both of us numerous attempts before we could manage it.

[CuteCats]

I always thought we were designed wrong, we need at least 3 arms/hands

Yes, preferably 4.  Usually a 2 person job putting a cat in a carrier here! 

[Helen M]

I always thought we were designed wrong, we need at least 3 arms/hands

[CuteCats]

I wish I had that many hands and cats were not 6.5 kgs wriggly balls of long fur........sigh

I know what you mean. 

Only 1 out of the 4 of them doesn't mind being picked up, so that's not a good start.

Tried most things, apart from treats in carrier and holding paws.

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

I wish I had that many hands and cats were not 6.5 kgs wriggly balls of long fur........sigh

[Helen M]

I agree with bum first.
If you do not have a top opening carrier to  stand it on its end then find your cat Pick him/her up and give them a cuddle whilst carrying them to the carrier.
Whilst holding the front paws in one hand and the rear paws in the other and slid the cat into the  carrier tailend first and then shut the door of the carrier.
This always works for me in the cattery.
If you do not hold the legs  you find that they can splay them and the cat becomes 4ft wide

[Dawn F]

my vet always says backwards as well, so they can't see what is coming!

[JackSpratt]

Do you have a top opening one? Alternatively, have you tried putting the cat in bum first?

[jezebel]

Catnip works for one of our cats.

We're still trying to find something that works for the other!

Have you tried just leaving the cat carriers out for a few days so your cats can investigate them? You could put a few cat treats inside to tempt them. It's supposed to be a way of getting cats used to carriers.

[snarf]

you can try putting the carrier so its facing up (vertical) and drop them in. or combine both and drop them in backwards!

[Rosella moggy]

Always place pussytat in backwards?

[CuteCats]

Have problems getting our cats into carriers.  Any tips or alternatives?  I've tried most things but still have lots of trouble.  Half joking, but considering a baby harness to strap to my body!!!