Any Tips For Helping My Cat Im Taking Her To The Vet For Injections On Monday

[gordiescotland1]

I am taking my cat to the vet on Monday for her annual booster injections. Normally it is a very stressful time for me and my dad as well as the cat. Getting into her wire basket takes at least half an hour of spitting and hissing and a great performance there and back. Any tips on how to make it easier?

[Buenchico]

You may already know but the easiest way (by far!) to get a cat into a pet carrier is to put here in backwards.

Alternatively, forget all about proper pet carriers and find a nice, big cardboard box where you can simply place her in it, quickly fold the flaps shut at the top and seal them shut with some gaffer tape (remembering to take some spare tape and a pair of scissors to the vet's surgery, so that you can reseal the box for the return journey). It might look a little odd but I've done it myself and it's saved me from a lot of hassle!

[Buenchico]

^^^ here??? her!

I really must learn to checks for typos before posting!

[jourdain2]

Start now, gordie. Get the basket out, leave it open, with nice soft blanket, in a sunny place in the house - find her favourite place, ours sleeps on a bed in the morning when the sun hits it. You can also sprinkle a few titbits in the cage. She should begin to go in and out quite quietly after a few days and even settle down to snooze in there if you make it nice enough - catnip perhaps? Once she is happy in there, after a few days, close the front and carry the basket around for a minute or 2. Repeat. Obviously, you are talking to her all the time as well. It worked for our cat. :)

[viv41]

How did you get on at the doctor's gordie ?

[wolf63]

I have a holdall type carrier which means that I can just drop Frankie in from the top. He used to go to the vet every four weeks for a steroid jab. He is a coward and if he senses that something is about to happen he hides. The vet is usually okay about having to cancel appointments due to cats wedged under beds etc.

His sister, Merlin, is really nasty at the vet. She is totally wild, will bite and scratch anyone and has to be muzzled.

Good luck

[Buenchico]

>>> I have a holdall type carrier

Lucky you, Wolf! Top-opening pet carriers are far easier to use but getting hold of them isn't easy. I tried both Jollye's and Pets at Home, as well as several other places and simply couldn't find one (apart from the 'semi-disposable' cardboard ones from our vets). That's why I've been know to resort to just using an ordinary cardboard box and some sticky tape!

[wolf63]

I got mine at pets at home. There are tons of on-line pet stores too.

[Islay]

I have 4 cats and all get in the basket without a problem, I simply left the basket out when they were kittens with toys in it and treats and now whenever the basket comes out they walk into it as good as gold.

[Prudie]

I have one who is abominable to get in a basket (she used to be easy but now hates it by association). The only way I can get her in is to put the basket upright on its back wall and lower the cat in. Wrapping in a small towel first can also help. Then I have to very gently bring the basket back to its correct position (with the latch done of course).

[campbellking]

Campbell cat will happily walk into the box, Robbie has to be top-loaded. The cat box is kept in the loft, Robbie even associates the sound of the loft ladder with 'possible trip to the vets' and will go and wedge himself behind the bath as soon as he hears it. Vet trip therefore involves putting Robbie outside, getting cat box down, putting this in bathroom, shutting bathroom door, getting cat back in and into box as soon as possible. Tried leaving box in lounge for a week, just meant Robbie was in a state of panic for a week!

[237SJ]

I used to put the cat box on a table or worktop and not let the cat see it. If she saw it she knew she was going to the cattery or the vets. I used to pick her up and hold her with one arm whilst holding her front paws together with my other hand so that she couldn`t spread them out to prevent herself going in the box. The element of surprise seemed to work. She was fine on the return journey as she knew she was coming home.