If you’ve recently become serious about caring for a feral cat, it’s essential to understand its behavior.
Unlike a domesticated cat, which has only one behavior to adapt to, a feral cat has multiple behaviors it must adapt to over time. Getting your feral cat into a semi feral state is a process that requires time and commitment.
So, how do you get a semi feral cat in a carrier?
Well, first you need to get your cat used to having a collar and a leash on. So first you need the collar and the leash, and then start walking your cat around the neighborhood.
As you are walking your cat around the neighborhood, don’t make eye contact with your neighbors so they don’t become scared of you and give you the funny look.
Also, don’t pay attention to your cat’s behavior so the cat doesn’t start thinking you’re the boss and start misbehaving.
After your cat gets used to the collar and leash, you start walking your cat in the front yard, or back yard, or front yard and back yard (maybe even in your own bedroom).
After your cat gets used to being in the front yard, start walking your cat in the neighborhood.
Now your cat is used to having a collar and a leash on, and your cat isn’t scared of you, and your cat isn’t misbehaving, so it’s time to get your cat in the carrier.
How To Catch A Semi Feral Cat?
Consider holding the scruff with one hand and holding the carrier door closed with the other.
A gently placed open palm on the scruff of a cat’s neck will help restrain it. Or grasp the cat by the back legs as you hold the door open.
Or use a catch pole to restrain the cat while someone places the carrier over it.
Some people like to wrap a towel around the front legs and upper torso of a docile animal to hold it still while they place the animal in the carrier.
How To Get An Angry Cat Into A Carrier?
Allowing an agitated cat to get comfortable with the carrier before restraining it may reduce its anxiety about going into the crate.
Start by placing treats inside the crate near the floor and encourage the cat to enter and eat the treats. Offer more treats when it opens its mouth to take one.
Encourage it to step inside by sliding your hand under it and gently pushing it toward the opening.
Once the animal is comfortably eating treats inside the crate, slide the door closed and latch it shut so the cat can’t escape.
How To Get An Unwilling Cat Into A Carrier?
You can deceive and mislead a reluctant pet into entering the carrier by using food rewards to encourage entry and then reward good behavior once inside.
But be gentle and patient: it may take several attempts to get a stubborn feline into the crate.
If a cat is afraid of a carrier, you may be able to reduce its fear by keeping it in it for short periods several times each day and gradually increasing the length of time it remains inside until it becomes comfortable with being confined in a small space.
How To Get A Semi Feral Cat In A Carrier?
Place Treats Inside the Carrier
You should use this time to teach your cat that the carrier is a safe place – somewhere it can go to for treats and cuddles.
This may be accomplished by putting a treat inside the carrier and leaving it there overnight or for several days until the cat becomes used to going inside to retrieve its reward.
Simply put the cat in the carrier with the treat, close the door, and leave for 10 minutes or so.
This will encourage the cat to investigate further and investigate things through the mesh of the side of the cage.
This lets the cat see out but restricts its movement and prevents it from trying to escape.
As it gets more comfortable, gradually increase the length of time it stays in – eventually leaving the house with it for several hours at a time. Then try longer trips such as to the vet’s office or even to the pet store to buy new toys for the cage.
It may take some time, but this will gradually help your pet become accustomed to being in a confined space without panicking.
The advantages include keeping the cat interested, making it less nervous while it’s being transported and preventing it from jumping out and possibly running away during the trip.
Use Catnips
Catnip is a plant that cats find irresistible – they will rub against it and roll around on it to “get high”.
You can also sprinkle catnip on a scratch pad to tempt a cat into entering its safe space.
This will help keep your pet calm while it’s traveling in the car.
Despite the fact that it seems cute, allowing your cat to sit on your lap during a car journey is not a good idea as it could distract you while driving, or fall from the vehicle if it suddenly stops moving.
You may put catnips inside the carrier so that your cat will feel more secure in it and feel less afraid when being carried inside it.
Maintain the Carrier’s Door Open
Before you do anything else, you should ensure that your pet can freely enter and leave the carrier at any time.
To do this, leave the door of the carrier open at all times and place a favorite toy or something enticing near the doorway so that your pet can enter and leave at will.
This will give your pet time to get used to the idea of going into a carrier rather than becoming frightened of it.
It will also make it easier for you to catch and control your pet once it enters the crate.
Don’t force your pet into the container – instead, wait until it enters of its own accord and close the door behind it.
If you don’t understand how it works, don’t be embarrassed to ask your Veterinarian to show you how to use the carrier properly or to show you a demonstration.
This is not an ideal solution but it may help for some pets who are used to sleeping in a basket or bed in the house (particularly cats).
When the carrier is ready to travel, place it in a quiet room where you will not be disturbed and leave the door open so your pet can investigate its surroundings and become familiar with its new surroundings.
Cover Its Eyes With a Towel
You must discover a technique for gently covering your pet’s eyes when you put it in the carrier.
This is essential and can only happen if you already understand how to train your cat to use a bed – basically, you need to hold it down and cover its eyes for a few seconds until it relaxes, then release it again and reward it with a treat when it looks at you.
This same technique can be used now with a towel over the cat’s eyes while you lift it into the carrier – it works because the towel will block any view outside and prevent it from seeing anything scary while the carrier is being closed around it.
The idea is not to suffocate the cat by completely covering the face, but just enough so it feels safe and comfortable inside the carrier.
Remember that the cat will panic and bite if it sees something it perceives as a threat to its safety.
Just be prepared – don’t let your cat loose inside the house until it’s in the carrier.
When a cat loses its vision, it can still get around well in the house using sound, smell and touch to guide it.
Types of Bait
Using stinky and bigger bait to catch a cat is not a good idea because it may scare it away or even attack you.
Cats have an excellent sense when it comes to smell and taste, so cat baits should be something that appeals to them but not to other animals like dogs or humans.
It is OK to spray some bitter liquid on food or use bitter tablets to lure cats into traps but don’t use anything that smells bad to humans or other animals because you may scare them away before you have a chance to catch the animal.
You may even stuff your trap with dry cat food, fish, raw meat, peanut butter or anything the cat likes to eat.
The disadvantage is that most baits have a short shelf life so you may need to refresh the bait every couple of days while the trap is still set.
Also, some animals like raccoons can tear open the trap to get at the bait – you may need several traps to catch the animal.
So keep this in consideration when choosing a bait – if it’s strong enough to keep an animal from tearing open a trap, it’s also strong enough to repel other critters such as raccoons or squirrels that are attracted to the smell of the baits.
So choose carefully if you want to catch the targeted animal only and not others.
Purchase a Good Cat Carrier
When learning how to get a kitten into a carrier, first you’ll need to purchase one.
There are various types and sizes available but the best carriers are the ones that can be securely fastened down in a car with seatbelts or a special seat belt harness.
These types will also prevent the dog from escaping when the vehicle is in motion. Look for those that can be quickly opened and closed with one hand while holding the cat in the other.
Also look for a model that has ventilation holes on the top as well as the front to prevent suffocation. Remember to choose a model with a comfortable bedding area inside so your pet feels at home and secure while being transported.
The idea is to choose something that will keep your pet safe, comfortable and happy during travel.
Among the advantages are that dogs need little space in the car and are usually quiet and calm, making it an ideal pet to travel with, especially by car.
Don’t think that because your dog is small it couldn’t get into trouble while traveling in your car; in fact, small dogs are more at risk than larger breeds of dog in a crash because of their size.
The cat will struggle, which puts pressure on its internal organs and can make it difficult to breathe.
Don’t Repeat Too Much
Attempting to put the cat in each time will only increase its fear and anxiety, causing you to struggle with the task even more the next time.
Don’t give in – persevere until the animal gets used to the carrier and its new home away from home.
You must, however, remain patient and not give in to the pet’s attempts to escape – this will only make the process more difficult and the cat will grow increasingly more anxious with each attempt to escape the crate.
To avoid opposition, you must also be patient with the pet’s negative reactions during the travel.
Cover The Cat With A Blanket
Use a blanket that totally covers the cage to avoid the cat from seeing what is going on around it.
Just be aware that the cat may scratch at your face or arms if you try to cover it up – use a towel to cover the head instead. Some cats don’t like to be covered at all – try to find out which type you have before you use a cloth to cover it up.
Also Read: How Long Does It Take For A Cat To Go Feral?
Final Words
You must begin by building your cat’s trust by slowly introducing it to the idea of being confined in a carrier.
Remember, it’s all about having the correct attitude, and a positive one too.
Your attitude will greatly influence how your cat feels about traveling in your vehicle.
It will feed off of your energy, so if you’re positive and happy, it will pick up on that energy and enjoy traveling with you.
By remaining cool, you will find it simpler to get your cat used to the idea of riding in the car with you, and you’ll find it a less stressful experience for both you and your cat.
You will find the procedure much simpler and more stress-free if it’s performed when your cat is in a relaxed state.
