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Whether you need to take your cat to the vet’s office or are planning a trip with your pet in tow, getting a cat safely into a carrier is no easy feat for any pet parent. That’s why we’ve rounded up some expert-backed strategies to help you get a resistant or scared cat into a carrier, as well as some tips on how to acclimate a cat to a carrier so the experience doesn’t continue to be a battle every time you need to go somewhere.
We spoke to two feline experts, Albert Colominas, a cat trainer, behaviorist, and founder of Outdoor Bengal, and a board-certified vet, Dr. Amber Carter, DVM, DABVP (Feline Practice) of Cat Vet Life and Cat Care Clinic, to find out how to get a cat into a carrier without a lot of stress.
How To Get a Scared or Skittish Cat in a Carrier
Step-by-step instructions
- Place high-value treats inside the carrier and leave the door open.
- If your cat isn’t lured by treats, gently pick them up. Consider wrapping in a towel or wearing protective gear.
- Place the cat inside a top-opening carrier. If using a side carrier, load the cat’s head and front paws into the carrier first.
Tips and strategies
The best way to get a cat into a carrier is to train them to enter the carrier on their own accord. Clicker training can be helpful for this purpose, says Colominas.
If you don’t have time to train your pet ahead of a trip or a visit to the vet, the next best strategy would be to lure your cat into the carrier with high-value treats. Squeezable treats, freeze-dried chicken, or catnip are great options for this purpose, provided that your cat doesn’t need to fast before a visit to the vet. Try placing the treats inside of an open carrier and then wait for your cat to enter.
If treats alone aren’t enough to convince your cat to enter the carrier, gently pick up your cat and place them into a top-opening carrier. This type of carrier generally offers the largest opening to maneuver your pet into, making it the best option for a resistant cat. However, if you’ve already purchased a side-opening carrier, it may be easiest to load your pet in, head and front paws first. Keep in mind it’s a good idea to trim your cat’s nails ahead of time and wear protective gear to avoid scratches as much as possible.
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If it’s a life-threatening emergency and you still can’t get your cat into a carrier using the tips above, Dr. Carter advises using a securely closed cardboard box with holes cut in the sides for air.
“Note that this is not ideal and should only be used if you have no other way,” she cautioned, adding that a cardboard box is still better than transporting your cat without a carrier. “I do not recommend holding your cat on your lap without anything to secure them. A scared cat can easily jump from one’s arms and run away out of fear.”
How To Keep a Cat Calm in Their Carrier
Once your cat is in a carrier, you’ll want to do everything you can to keep your pet as calm as possible to make the experience a positive one.
Some strategies include:
- Covering the carrier with a lightweight blanket or towel to reduce light and stimulation.
- Spritzing the inside of the carrier with a calming feline pheromone spray.
- Using prescription medications or supplements ahead of time, if recommended by your vet.
Lastly, do your best to keep yourself calm, recommends Dr. Carter: “Cats can sense and feed off our nervous energy.”
How To Train a Cat To Like Their Carrier
If you want your cat to like spending time in their carrier, it’s important to consider the type of carrier you’re using. According to our experts, a hard-shelled carrier is an ideal option, especially for older cats or those who’ve already developed a negative association with carriers.
“For a reluctant cat, it’s better to steer away from cat backpacks, strollers, and rolling carriers. A cat that has strong rejection for the carrier will be easier to fit into a hard carrier. Hard carriers are bulkier and uglier to look at, but they are going to be safer for both the cat and the person manipulating the cat,” Colominas told Rover. Some of Colominas’ favorite hard carriers include the Catit Cabrio carrier and the Van Ness Calm carrier.
“Carriers that can be taken apart are best. We never want to shove a cat into a carrier,” added Dr. Carter.
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Once you have the right carrier, leaving it out in a safe, open space at all times will help desensitize your pet to it. Consider adding a soft blanket or bed, some toys, or treats to help encourage your cat to explore the carrier and spend time in it.
“Once the cat is comfortable and entering the carrier voluntarily, you can consider closing the door for short intervals and lifting the carrier from the ground, gradually increasing the time they spend inside. Reward generously after each interaction with the carrier to create a strong positive association,” Colominas recommends.
How To Get a Feral Cat Into a Carrier
Approach feral or stray cats with a lot of caution. According to our experts, a feral or stray cat should only be put in a carrier if you intend to take them to the vet, and you should not try to physically handle them, says Dr. Carter.
Since these animals are often very food-motivated, luring them into a safe trap-type carrier with treats may be the best option for cats who are not used to interacting with people.
“If you are going to use a trap, try to plan ahead of time so that they can be taken to the vet soon after they go into the trap. Cover the trap with a blanket both before trapping as well as during transportation to limit their stress level,” Dr. Carter added.
How We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary and training experts. We prioritized durability, top openings, and lots of coverage for skittish cats. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated kitties, who are never stingy with their feedback.
