My injured cat won't let me catch her for the vet. What can I do?

Hello! The safest way to take the cat to the pet shelter would be to trap it, if at all possible. Feral cat traps are the safest option because they automatically close after the cat enters. A pet carrier or box with some food that you can securely close after the cat enters will also work. Most people use canned cat food or tuna to lure the cat into the trap. A common oral sedative for cats is a drug called Gabapentin that can be mixed with food, but this is a prescribed substance and not one I believe you can purchase over the counter. I also caution that if the cat is very wild, it will still be able to bite and scratch you while sedated, so you will still need to contain the cat in some type of carrier. Cats can carry the Rabies virus, so I want you to to stay safe! The animal shelter may offer some types of traps or sedation drugs to assist you in bringing the cat in. Try calling them and seeing if they can offer you any supplies to help! I hope this is helpful! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

No, there is no safe way to make or sedate feral cats outside of a veterinary clinic setting. Humane traps are available which can catch cats which go in for food and can be used to transport them for neutering, such as with trap neuter and release programs

You should be able to borrow a Have a Heart trap or other safe trap to catch her. Then you can take her in the trap to get treated. Put food inside the trap and leave it near to where she is. When it’s dark and she’s hungry she should go inside and won’t be able to escape. This Is safe for both you and her. Once she’s treated they may spay her and release her back to your area. That depends on things in your country. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care this stray cat.

I am sorry to hear about your frustrations with this kitty. I don't think you are likely to be able to trap her with a normal cat carrier if she is this shy as she will likely run as you approach it. I would see if there is a local rescue group or animal shelter in your area that has traps they use for this issue. You can read more about ideas to help capture these kitties at https://www.alleycat.org/community-cat-care/tips-for-hard-to-trap-cats/

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Unfortunately, there are no oral medications (prescription or non) that will help him. The eye probably needs topical medications so you will have to catch him to even try. I would recommend offering him canned cat food so he can eat without much discomfort. If he eats the canned food, maybe you can use it to lure him into the trap. Good luck!

You can throw a blanket or large towel over her and grab her that way, wrap her and then cut off the collar with scissors. Best get someone to help you. Your vet can also give you some acepromacine tablets you will need to crush and put in her food, preferably inside, so she cannot run off and hide and fall asleep somewhere else or get attacked by a dog while sedated. There are cat traps that you may be able to borrow from your local animal welfare organisation.

Antibiotics in the US aren't available over the counter, and cats are picky with their food so they are unlikely to eat food that is treated with medications. You can get a live animal trap and leave food in there to try to capture the kitty so it can get proper treatment.