Are your cats psychic? Mine are. Whenever we need to give them medicine or Advantage for flea prevention, half of them disappear. And, whenever we have to take one to the vet’s office, it was really a hassle trying to locate the right cat — and they are all indoor cats!
Usually when we take a cat carrier out, whoosh — they are gone! After all these years, we’ve found a method that seems to work most of the time — I can’t promise it’ll work on your cat, but it’s worth a try.
Keep Crate Out
We keep one of the larger crates out — all of the time. We put a nice soft towel in it. and every once in a while, we toss in a favorite toy and/or sprinkle a little catnip on the towel.
We find that most of the cats take turns going in and staying in the crate — usually sleeping, sometimes playing with a toy. We’ve even had 2 cats sleep in the crate at the same time.
Every once in a while, we’ll add food to the crate when we don’t have to go to the vet’s office. Since the cats don’t have to go to the vet’s but about once a year each, they get used to the crate as a piece of furniture.
You’re Not Looking For Me Are You?
Vet Day
When we do have to take one to the vet, we attract the cat we want to the area of the crate and put some food in it. Then we wait. Sometimes we are rewarded and sometimes not.
If it does not work, my husband grabs the cat in the “momma cat” hold (pinching the skin behind the neck). I turn the crate with the door facing up while resting on the floor. He lowers the cat, feet first. When the cat is in, I quickly shut the door.
Like I said, it doesn’t work all of the time, but it has made them less afraid of the crate so they are not quite as vocal on the car trip to the vet.
Let me know if you have some other tricks that work.
Purrs, Frankie
Kira here. I don’t like going to the vet’s office. She’s real nice to me but all that pushing and prodding is irritating. I laugh when it’s Lee’s turn though. He’s pretty lame and falls for the open crate trick all the time. But not me. I’m too smart. Kira
P.S. If you want to see more great photos and get more information on cats, check out Cats Just Wanna Have Fun
January 23rd, 2008 at 8:10 pm
[...] Chad Livengood | Jackson Citizen Patriot article is brought to you using rss feeds.Here are some of the latest findings and news on holistic health care for dogs.Every once in a while, we’ll add food to the crate when we don’t have to go to the vet’s office. Since the cats don’t have to go to the vet’s but about once a year each, they get used to the crate as a piece of furniture. … [...]