Expert: Becky - 4/8/2007

Question
hi Becky - thanks so much for answering my question about my cat Gus who has been scratching himself - I will buy a flea comb (thank goodness at least it does not appear to be ear mites!).  I have another question - this one is about Gus's sister, Madison, who is one and a half years old and a calico.  Like Gus, Madison was initially a stray cat but unlike Gus she gets scared easily, is very skittish, and does not like to be picked up.  She is about 6 months overdue for her annual check up and I cannot get her into the carrier.  I have kept the carrier in my living room so that she can get used to seeing it, have tried putting food, toys and catnip in there, but she refuses to enter.  On one occasion I was able to get her inside but unfortunately I didn't close the door properly and she escaped!  Do you have any ideas of how I could get her inside?  Carrying her and placing her inside is not an option because she goes crazy when I try to pick her up. My vet has also given me a mild sedative to give her, but she refuses to eat it, even when mixed with food.  Please let me know if you have any suggestions.


thanks!
Adele

Answer
HI Adele!
The best way I have found to get a reluctant cat into a cat carrier is the put the carrier on its end and let the cat go in , head first.  That will sometimes work.  She may not do it, but it's worth a try.  You may end up having to get a larger carrier, that might make it easier to put her in it.  It would be much better to get her in the carrier than give her a sedative as you never know how they will react to that.  I wish you luck!
Becky