My cat is hard to get in a carrier for vet visits. What can I do?

Poor Puss! I know vet visits can be a challenge with some anxious kitties. As far as calming aids that you can get over the counter, you could try a calming supplement like Zylkene or Composure along with Feliway spray in the carrier - these are generally quite safe, and can be purchased at pet stores or ordered online without a prescription. Effects are usually pretty mild, though, so if he's extremely fearful this may not be enough to make a difference. If you have a regular vet who has seen Puss before, you could call them to discuss your concerns. There are some great prescription medications like gabapentin or trazodone that can be very effective at calming anxious kitties prior to a vet visit - but you would need a prior veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR) with a vet in order to get prescription meds before the exam. If the visit isn't urgent, you can try placing the carrier out with the door open in an area where Puss spends a lot of time to let him investigate it and get comfortable on his own. By dropping treats in the carrier and letting him go in when he's comfortable, it can be much easier to get him in for his visit. If he needs to be seen right away, then you can use a blanket or towel to put over him, pick him up, and put him in the carrier without being scratched or bitten.

I suggest you refer to this video to get him in for the looming appointment. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv05t8WQpiY ) After this appointment you should go about training him to go in the carrier peacefully. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzy_MWLrins )

I would take the door off of the carrier for now and leave it out at all times. Put treats and eventually feed her in the carrier. It may take weeks to get her used to it. Then put the door back on and keep feeding her in there. Eventually you should be able to close the carrier to take her to the vet. Also you may talk to her vet about some sedation or anxiety medication that could be given prior to her appointment time. Good luck. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Poor Rosie! Behavioral changes, especially sudden ones, in cats can definitely indicate an underlying illness or pain. If you can, trying to coax her into the carrier and then placing a towel over it may make it less stressful for her. You can also use something smelly and enticing if she is still eating, such as a little fried chicken or warmed up cat food just to get her in the carrier so you can close it and bring her to the vet. If you can't get her inside one at all, seeing if there is a veterinary housecall service near you that can come to you is another possible option.

Hello. I would purchase a medium sized storage tote & coax Minka in. Or, you can place the tote over her, slip the lid underneath & carefully turn the tote right side up. Tape or secure the lid. It you have more than a 10 minute trip to your vet, make sure the tote has ventilation holes punched into it. Once you get to the vet, they should be able to handle her. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Neutering could definitely help the aggression problem. I would also recommend picking up a product called Feliway. It comes in a spray and a plug in and it has pheromones that can help calm your cat. You will not be able to smell it. Sometimes this helps, too. You can also spray the towel in the carrier so he can bring it with him to the vet. I would contact your vet for an oral medication to help sedate him prior to his next exam. This would help ensure his safety and every one that handles him.

You can try to cut Poppy's claws yourself, or you can see if there is a mobile vet clinic or groomer that can come to your house. There are vets willing to make house calls, as well as groomers who do the same, and they could come to your home and cut her claws there. That keeps you from having to get her into a carrier for the vet. If there are no mobile vets or groomers in your area, I would confine Poppy to a bathroom with food and water. Let her relax in there, and then go in with the cat carrier to get her into it. It's easier to put a cat in a carrier when they are in a small confined space with less places for them to hide.