When you need to take your cat somewhere important, such as a visit with a veterinarian, getting them into the carrier can seem like an exercise in futility. Although cats enjoy squeezing themselves into small spaces, they’re not fans of being trapped. Fortunately, it’s not an impossible endeavor. If you know a few tricks, getting your cat into a carrier can be simple. 

4 Tips for Closing Your Cat in a Carrier 

1. Find a Good Carrier 

While hard-sided carriers are tough and sturdy, soft-sided carriers are smaller and lighter. Both have doors on multiple sides so that you have more than one option for closing your cat inside or getting them out. Either way, get a carrier that you can dismantle quickly and easily, just in case your cat is too sick or scared to leave it once you reach the veterinarian. 

2. Make It Comfortable 

Try to make the carrier feel like another home for your cat. Place a warm towel or bedding inside, along with a shirt or sweater of yours to soothe them. Consider adding a few toys or pieces of cardboard that they can scratch. Keep the carrier in or near a place that your cat already likes so that they associate the carrier with positivity. 

3. Encourage Familiarity 

Let the carrier sit out for a few days before the appointment with the veterinarian so that your cat has a chance to get used to it. Allow them free reign to explore and curl up inside the carrier at will. Close the door for a few seconds at a time so that they know it’s no reason to be frightened. Give them a treat whenever they spend time there. 

4. Try a Different Angle 

If your cat is still wary of the carrier despite every effort you’ve made to acclimate them to it, tip the carrier onto its back end so that the front faces upward. Place your cat rear-first into the carrier, then gently close and latch the door. Carefully move the carrier back to its normal position and cover it with a blanket or towel. 

 
You can avoid the issue of getting your cat into a carrier altogether by having a veterinarian come to you like Dr. Robin’s Housecall Veterinary Services in Denver, CO. Whether your cat needs a routine exam, vaccinations, diagnostic services, bloodwork, or something else, Dr. Robin is happy to treat your cat in the place where they feel most comfortable--your home. A veterinary house call would be less stressful for you, your cat, or any other pets you have. Find out more about her services and fees by calling (970) 217-1260 or exploring her website.