Guide
Suddenly, a raccoon: what’s wrong with my cat?
by Darina Schweizer
How to transport your cat to the vet fuss-free
6.6.2023
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
It’s always the same story: it’s time to go to the vet, but your cat categorically refuses to go in the carrier. Here are five tips – tried and tested by an expert.
I see it as if it was yesterday: my mum, my childhood cat Léonie and the struggle to get her in the carrier, both pushing with all their might – my mum in an effort to get Léonie in, Léonie in an effort to stay out. Most of the time, my mum was victorious. Though it was a short-lived victory which ended once we were sat in the car, Léonie belting out a one-cat opera.
Does using a carrier really have to be such a struggle? Cats love to squeeze into the smallest of boxes. As we’ve seen on social media, «If it fits, I sits.» To get to the bottom of this dilemma, I scoured the internet for tips and consulted animal psychologist Dominique Gloor for confirmation.
1. The right carrier
2. The acclimatisation
3. The carrying
4. The day before
To spare your cat as much stress as possible and prevent them from panicking and running away at the worst moment, it’s best to have everything you need ready the day before the vet visit. If necessary, you can also use pillows to block your kitty’s favourite hiding places and close doors so you don’t have to hunt for them under the couch or bed under pressure.
5. Showtime
The vet visit is imminent and you’ve implemented all of the above tips? Then I’ve got one final tip for you: relax. I know, I know – that’s rich when you’re at your last straw. But the more stressed you get, the more stressed your cat gets. So, try to take a deep breath and talk to them calmly. You can also use a calming cat spray if necessary.
Of course, despite all attempts, your cat may still refuse to sit in the carrier. Perhaps they’ve experienced too many failed tries. If so, it may be worth buying a new box that’s totally different from the previous one. And then you take it from the top.
How easy is your cat to transport? What tips do you have for other pet owners?
Header image: Shutterstock
Darina Schweizer
Senior Editor
Darina.Schweizer@digitecgalaxus.chI love anything with four legs or roots - especially my shelter cats Jasper and Joy and my collection of succulents. My favourite things to do are stalking around with police dogs and cat coiffeurs on reportages or letting sensitive stories flourish in garden brockis and Japanese gardens.
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