Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/a problem with my sick cat

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 11/30/2008


Question
hi, i have this cat(3 years old)who is such a coward,ever since he was young he never left the house so his not used to interact with strange people, now he is very sick and i need to take him to the vet, but every time i put him in the cage and try to take him outside the house he rages inside the cage and try to heart himself, what should i do to control him ?

Answer
Teddy,

Get some Feliway or Comfort Zone with Feliway from PetSmart, a vet's office, etc. Spray his cage about 20 minutes before you put him in it. Feliway is a calming spray.

After you put the cat in the cage cover it with a towel to provide some security. A smaller cage may help his ability to move around as much. A lot of cats go ballistic in a cage, but he should calm down eventually. If not, he will still be OK...just mad and upset.

The benefits of going to the vet outweigh a temper tantrum.

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

Experience

Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

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