Catching Tonks

shadowlark · 02-10-2004, 05:51 PM

Does anyone have any ideas on how we can get Tonks into a cat carrier when we move? Luckily we're getting a new apartment a month before we have to be out of this one, so we have time to do it, but I want to do it in the least stressful way possible. Her old foster mum, who she'd lived with for over a year, said it took her 3 hours to catch her last time. I don't want to freak Tonks out by chasing her everywhere. She runs when we reach out towards her, so I really have no clue what to do. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Lixx · 02-10-2004, 06:01 PM

I find the best way is to have it out all the time. Put a towel or blanket in it and it will soon become her favorite spot. I always have to 'dump' my guys out. They can't understand why only one of them is supposed to be in it

. You could also feed her there, so she gets used to it.

shadowlark · 02-10-2004, 06:08 PM

We had it out a few weeks ago when we thought they'd have to go to a kennel overnight, but she didn't go near it. The boys did, and I had to dump them out too! LOL I'll try again though. And I will try the feeding thing, thanks for the idea!

Candycane · 02-10-2004, 06:09 PM

I'm sure that Sue or GC will be able to help you. I would be too afraid of scaring her.

Lixx · 02-10-2004, 06:52 PM

Do you have a couple carriers? Maybe she feels that's "the boys Space"?

greencolander · 02-10-2004, 07:14 PM

I don't have any tricks to getting a cat in a carrier, except these (which won't sound very nice):

Prop the carrier up vertically, so the cat has to be "dropped" through the door. Hold the cat under the chest with one hand and arm, grabbing the two front paws in your fingers. Hold them tight! With the other hand, grab the cat's scruff. Lift the cat, and "insert" her throught the door, tail and hind-legs first. The rest should just follow.

If that doesn't work (and it should, but a lot of people don't like holding their cats that way), you can try this:

Put the end of the carrier against a wall, so it cannot slide backwards. With the door wide open. holding the cat by its scruff and its hind legs, push the cat in head first. You'll have to shut the door very quickly!

Good luck!

Lixx · 02-10-2004, 07:26 PM

Of the two, I would recomend the first - most cats will instinctively curl into the kitten position. But I hope you don't have to do it that way!

suzoo · 02-10-2004, 08:54 PM

Quote:

She runs when we reach out towards her

Nikki... have you gotten to the point of being able to hold her at all? Is it a matter of just getting her into the carrier or just getting near her?

shadowlark · 02-10-2004, 09:14 PM

It's getting near her. If I reach towards her really slowly she'll sniff my fingers, but if I try and move closer she runs.

It's frustrating...she looks so cuddly and I want to pet her, but I don't want to force her. I know she'll never be a lap cat, I just want to be able to pet her without her being scared.

We were thinking of trying to get her into the bathroom, and then putting the carrier on the floor with a board or something on top so she has nowhere to go but in. I'm glad we don't have to move everything and everyone all in one day...that would be too stressful for everyone. A friend suggested throwing a blanket over her and catching her in it, but that sounds too stressful. We've made such little progress since we got her....she sleeps on the bed with us but bolts if we sit up, things like that, so I don't want to set her progress back.

Lixx · 02-10-2004, 09:20 PM

Sorry, I missed that was the initial problem. I thought she just didn't like the carrier. While the blanket may seem stressful, it should work, and ideally it will just cause her to freeze. Of course if she's really flighty you nay miss her all together. How long before your move? How long have you had her? ( sorry, I have missed your initial info)