How to Get an Aggressive Cat into a Carrier (without getting shredded)

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Safe Ways To Get An Aggressive Cat Into A Carrier

Spending some time acclimatizing your kitty to the carrier at an early age is an excellent idea if you wish to avoid stress later down the line. Keep the carrier out and easily accessible to your cat as part of his natural environment.

It may even become one of his favorite places to nap.

Place your cat’s favorite toy, place it inside the carrier. Toys can also be used to lure your cat slowly into the carrier, especially if you are playing around with a laser light, and you can get your cat to enter the carrier on a quest to catch the red dot.

Consider making short trips in the car with your cat in his carrier. It may just be a few minutes around the block, but it will give your kitty the chance to get accustomed to the smell and sound of your car. Eventually, the ride to the vet’s office may even be enjoyable!

 

How To Put An Aggressive Feral Cat In A Carrier

A feral cat is not socialized with humans and will quickly display signs of territorial aggression, so make sure you befriend it first. If you notice a wild cat in your neighborhood that you would like to help with, make sure that he sees you as a friend first.

You can start by feeding the cat, do not approach it at first. If you provide it at the same time regularly, he will begin to anticipate your arrival. Let the cat to come to you at first. Approaching a cat when it’s not ready may result in the cat attacking you as it will feel the need to defend itself.

Once the cat sees you as safe and trusted, you can start bringing along a carrier. Opt for a large carrier with a large entry point. Ensure that the carrier has a hard casing as a wild cat will easily rip through the fabric.

A wire cat trap may be most suitable for feral cats as it allows them to see outside at all angles.

Place food, treats, and catnip just outside the carrier door; as time goes by and the cat gets acclimatized to the carrier, start putting treats like catnip inside.

There are a few tricks that may work if you still struggle. Try changing the scent of the carrier to smell less like humans. If a female cat has spent some time in a carrier, you may find that male cats are more willing to explore the carrier and get caught.

Another thing you can try is to play the sound of other cats on your cell phone and put it inside the carrier. The prospect of other cats inside the carrier may make the cat curious and want to investigate.

Use a blanket to wrap the feral cat securely, making sure that it doesn’t get a chance to scratch or bite you.

 

Why Cats Get Aggressive When You Put Them In A Carrier

Cats tend to be meticulous about their environment and go to great pains to make sure they are familiar with every detail of their territory. They like to know that they are safe. If they associate the carrier with anything unpleasant, you may have a miserable cat on your hands.

Personally, the only time I put my housecat in a carrier is to visit the vet. This is never a happy event as even the car ride is quite traumatic with my ginger angel protesting all the way. Things don’t get any better at the vet as he gets poked and prodded by a stranger.

Just the appearance of the carrier can trigger all these memories and negative associations. Your usually loving and calm cat will become aggressive when forced into a carrier because he is afraid.

Aggression is common response cats have to feeling unsafe. There are, however, other types of aggression that a cat displays. Identifying the reason for the aggression and finding an appropriate response can help calm your cat.

Different Types Of Aggression In Cats

Cats may respond with aggression to different scenarios, and understanding the context in which your normally calm cat becomes overly aggressive will help uncover the real reason for this behavior.

Cats may respond with aggression when they’re in pain. They are also known to disappear when they experience pain and discomfort. Approaching your cat when he is not well may well lead to shows of aggression.

Make sure that you rule out any medical reason why your cat has become aggressive. Certain diseases such as osteoarthritis, dental disease, problems with the central nervous system, and hyperthyroidism have been known to cause aggression.

There are a few reasons why cats display aggression, and they will react slightly differently, depending on which category they fall. Recognizing the signs of each type of aggression will help you determine the best response.

Fear Or Defensive Aggression In Cats

Cats are very particular about their environment. They will approach new smells, people, or objects with extreme caution, in an attempt to ensure their safety. Once they’ve identified a new thing as safe, they’ll usually mark it with their scent. (That’s why your cat might rub its face all over yours — he’s marking you as his property.)

There may be numerous ways that cats do this that may surprise you. If your kitty snuggles up to you by rubbing their whiskers against you, they are marking you as safe and trusted. Apart from this being a territorial behavior, it conveys that you are theirs and part of their clan.

Conversely, when a cat feels threatened, cornered, or confronted with objects they have not decided is safe, they can respond with aggression. This is a defensive mechanism to protect themselves and an expression of fear.

Just the appearance of the carrier can bring about anxiety and fear, resulting in aggressive behavior.
You can identify this particular kind of aggression by noting the body language your cat uses. Flattened ears, hissing, and crouching close to the ground are all signs that your cat is fearful or defensive. Their fur may also stand on end with the tail tucked under the belly.

Dealing with Fear Or Defensive Aggression In A Cat

Unfortunately, getting your cat in the carrier may be something you just can’t avoid. It’s a necessary evil.

But you can prepare your cat by keeping the carrier out for him to explore days before the vet visit.

Try to make the carrier seem like a friendlier environment by putting treats inside his favorite blanket. This may make the carrier just a little easier to bear as your cat will see that it is not such a bad place to be. It may take a while, but it will be worth the exercise.

A big mistake most cat parents make when their cats display fearful or defensive behavior is to try and console them. This is a bad idea and could aggravate the situation and cause injury to yourself.

Despite your need to comfort and console your kitty, make sure you give him space and avoid forcing him into a corner. Back away. Allow your cat to approach you when he’s ready. Don’t act threateningly since your cat is already anxious and scared.

 

Territorial Aggression In Cats

Territorial aggression is when a cat feels the need to defend his space. Your cat thinks that an intruder has invaded his safe space without permission. Cats can be very aggressive about their territory and defend and attack when they have not given anyone permission to be there.

Territory for cats extends not only to spaces and objects but to people too. You may notice that your cat is much more friendly to specific household members than others.

If they rub their scent markers on you by either bumping their heads or rubbing their whiskers against you, they’re most probably marking you as their territory. This is a sign of trust. You are safe and part of their clan.

Your cat will display signs of territorial aggression by attacking the intruder, like hissing, swiping, and biting. Don’t engage any further with a cat-like this as it can lead to serious injury.

 

Ideas For Dealing With Territorial Aggression In Cats

The more you try to get close, the more aggressive the cat will become in return. It’s defending itself and its territory. If you’re forced to put a cat into a carrier while displaying territorial aggression, the best advice is to put on a pair of anti-bite animal handling gloves, such as these:

RAPICCA Bite-Proof Animal Handling Gloves

 

Another tactic would be to wrap your kitty in a large towel. Cover his paws and wrap him so that he can’t hurt you while you lower him into the carrier.

Feral cats may display this kind of aggression if you’re entering into his territory as a stranger that has not established any trust ahead of time. You may need to gain his confidence by showing up consistently to feed him and allow him to get used to your presence.

 

Play Aggression In Cats

An example of play aggression is when your cat insists on stalking and pouncing on your feet. Or when he bites your hands while you are engaged in a game, for instance. Cats can get pretty rough when playing, which happens even when they are kittens.

Cats can easily get overstimulated by play or petting, and they can get pretty aggressive if you don’t back off when they have had enough. Look out for the signs that your cat has been overstimulated during petting or playtime.

Watch out for signs of restlessness, a twitching tail, and your cat’s ears starting to flick back and forth. You may notice that your cat’s skin may ripple when petting him. You will also notice that your cat is very aware of your hands. These are all signs preceding aggressive behavior.

When you see these signs, give your cat a break as the chances are that he is already overstimulated.

 

Choosing a Suitable Carrier For Your Cat

There are a variety of cat carriers on the market today, and as a pet parent, you may want to browse around for one that suits your kitty’s unique personality.

Hard carriers are great because they can protect your cat from little bumps along the journey, but they may not be all that welcoming.

There are soft carriers that come with the added comfort of having a 360-degree viewpoint for your cat. Be aware that your cat may get his claws caught in these carriers’ soft fabric, which can cause some damage.

If your cat enjoys being a carrier, you can opt for a carrier that can be worn as a backpack for fun little trips for two. Make sure that you do thorough research on the types available, as you may be surprised at the variety available.

Make sure that you thoroughly clean the cat carrier after every vet visit. This can get rid of any stressful smells associated with the visit. Try putting things like catnip in the carrier afterward.

Products like Feliway Calming Pheremone Spray are helpful when applied on the blankets used in the cat carrier as it helps reduce stress and makes the carrier a much happier place to be. I have never Feliway myself, but

FELIWAY Classic Cat Calming Pheromone Spray

 

I have never used Feliway myself, but they definitely have some satisfied customers like Amazon reviewer Stephanie:

I was honestly surprised at how helpful this was. I was moving with my cat and generally she doesn’t like driving. She usually meows nonstop with a few brief breaks to rest up. I used this spray on the carrier and her pet bed. The first try I used it to get her to the vet and she barely meowed at all on the way there or the way back. Then for the stressful moving day I sprayed her bed, the carrier, and a blanket I draped over the sides and top of the carrier. She was relatively quiet and peaceful the whole time. No foaming at the mouth or mournful crying. A few attempts to open the carrier but generally she seemed very calm.

The vet responded well to the idea when I mentioned this spray by name for the move and even offered me some feliway wipes to use on top of the spray …

 

Soft Cat Carriers

Carriers with soft shells are made with sturdy, yet flexible materials such as polyester, nylon and microfiber.

Pros of a soft-sided carrier:

• Lighter
• Pliable, so you can manage to get it in a tighter space if necessary
• Take up less space to store
• Depending on the carrier, you can just throw it in the washing machine if your cat get carsick or has an accident

petisfam Top Load Cat Carrier Bag

 

The petisfam top load cat soft carrier bag above measures 17 by 11 by 11 inches and will hold up to 16 pounds of cat.

All the zippers are anti-escape, with a leash hook inside, making it escape proof. It has a top opening and two side doors to make it easier to get your kitty inside it.

It’s also airline approved, has carrying handles and an adjustable shoulder strap, and is collapsible.

 

Hard Plastic Cat Carrier

A perennial favorite for its ease of use, a hard cat carrier is more durable than other styles. The hard shell provides a sturdy space for your cat to chill while traveling. Hard carriers typically don’t come with their own padding, but you can place a towel, small blanket or even a tiny pet bed inside to make your cat more comfortable. If you do insert padding, be sure your kitty still has enough room to move around comfortably.

Pros of a Hard Plastic Carrier:

• The correct size gives cats more space to move around and stretch
• Many allow for the top to be taken off
• Easy to clean and don’t absorb odors
• More durable

Two-Door Top-Load Hard-Sided Pet Travel Carrier

 

I like the carrier above because it has doors, with one one top, so you can just [gently] drop you cat inside instead of trying to shove him in. Also, the top door features handle and latches so you can open it to the left or right, whichever is more convenient.

 

Rolling Cat Carrier

The biggest perk of a rolling pet carrier is its maneuverability. But you have to remember to treat a rolling carrier with extra care. Don’t just drag it around like a piece of luggage as you rush down the sidewalk, or it could terrify your cat. Also, these carriers tend to be more difficult to clean.

Pros of a Rolling Carrier:

• Tend to be more roomy for your cat
• Allow cat to see their surroundings, which they could find comforting
• Good for cat owners who have trouble holding and carrying a cat carrier

Lollimeow Pet Rolling Carrier with Wheels

 

The Lollimeow Rolling Pet Carrier above has a mesh design that ensure ventilation and lets your cat sees what’s going on. It has a rollable window shade in the front so your cat can have covered privacy when it wants it.

There is also a strap storage layer so the straps won’t get stuck in the wheel when it’s used as rolling carrier.

Its dimensions are 15.5 by 11 by 17 inches, and it holds cats up to 15 pounds.

 

Natural Remedies For Calming Aggression In Cats

Suppose you anticipate that your cat will be anxious and stressed ahead of traveling or perhaps a scheduled visit to the vet. In that case, take preventative action by calming your cat with a natural supplement.

Make sure that you consult a professional when administering the following natural remedies. A cats’ system is very delicate, and giving more herbs than is needed or in the incorrect form can be dangerous.

Most of these remedies can be fed to your cat in the dry, herbal form or a tincture. If you decide to feed it to him dry, consider using a tube collar.

Valerian

Valerian root can also be found in human medicines to treat insomnia, and it can be just as effective in cats. Administer this herb well in advance because initially, your cat will react by getting hyperactive, after which he will be incredibly calm and docile.

Chamomile

The anti-anxiety properties that Chamomile is generally known for will also benefit your cat. You can expect your cat to become relatively relaxed after nibbling on this herb.

Hops

Surprisingly, the main ingredient in your beer can also calm down your cat. Ensure that you get the dried flowers and administer them in the proper doses. This remedy is also excellent for liver health.

Bach Rescue Remedy

The advantage of this herbal remedy is that it will immediately affect your cat. So, if you are pressed for time, Bach Rescue Remedy will do the trick! Bach’s Rescue Remedy consists of five flowers: Rock Rose, Impatiens, Clematis, Star of Bethlehem, and Cherry Plum.

Traditional Drug Sedatives

Various other drugs are available, such as Acepromazine, Gabapentin, Trazodone, and Alprazolam. Whether you choose a natural, herbal remedy or an over-the-counter drug, make sure you consult your vet.

In short, understanding the type of aggression your cat is displaying and responding accordingly can help when trying to get him into a carrier. Take your time and gently approach by getting your cat used to the carrier well beforehand.

You can use toys, scents, and blankets to make the carrier seem friendlier and non- threatening. When handling your cat, use cat handling gloves, wrap the cat in a blanket or scruff your cat to avoid injury.

Sedatives can also be used to calm down an aggressive cat before attempting to place it in a carrier. Consult a vet to select either a herbal remedy or a more traditional one.
Best of luck to you and your fluff angel!

References:

• Jackson Galaxy
• Preventive Vet
• PetMD