6 Tips to Get Your Cat Into a Carrier Without (Much of) a Struggle

Yearly checkups at the vet can be stressful with a cat who doesn’t like their carrier. Sometimes, a cat’s fear of the carrier may prevent you from even taking them to the vet. And it can make emergency situations almost impossible. If a cat is scared of the carrier, they will do everything they can to get away and hide — including scratching you.

Carriers that aren’t part of your cat’s environment or come with different smells can make them wary. Strange carriers can signal to them that something bad is going to happen — such as a trip to the vet. With time, however, you can help your cat become used to the carrier.

Tips to get your cat into a pet carrier

Cats learn at their own pace. It might take some longer than others to adjust to a carrier. And that’s OK. Here are six tips to help your cat get in their carrier. 

1. Get a carrier that’s right for your cat

There are many different types of pet carriers. The right one depends on your cat. The types of carriers include:

• Hard-sided carriers: These are plastic carriers. They’re not padded and usually pretty heavy. But they’re easier to clean. And you can add a blanket or towel for your cat’s comfort.

• Soft-sided carriers: These carriers are usually made from material like microfiber, nylon, and polyester. They’re light-weight and flexible. But they’re not as sturdy or protective as hard-sided carriers. Some cats can push their way out of zipper or velcro openings.

Hard-sided carriers are generally safer than soft-sided ones. Some cats might still try to get out of a hard-sided carrier. If they try to bite the door, they could end up harming their teeth. In these cases, a soft-sided carrier might be safer.

Whichever type you choose, it needs to be big enough for your cat to stand and turn around inside — including with any towels or blankets. A carrier with an opening at the top could be a better option for cats who don’t like going through the front door.

2. Help them acclimate

Make the carrier part of your cat’s environment. If it’s always out, it will help them not association it with scary things — like the vet. 

Other things you can do:

• Put the carrier in places your cat likes to spend their time.

• Put their familiar bedding inside.

• Keep toys, treats, and catnip nearby.

• Wipe the carrier with synthetic pheromone spray to help with anxiety.

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If you have a carrier with a removable top, you can use the bottom half until your cat is comfortable with it. Then you can introduce the top half.

3. Use positivity

A great way for your cat to associate the carrier with good things is by feeding them and playing with their toys near the carrier. This can help make the carrier a place your cat wants to be. You can also:

• Put treats inside for them to find on their own.

• Play games by tossing treats inside for your cat to retrieve.

• Leave the door open during this stage.

As your cat becomes familiar with the carrier, you can give them treats inside and shut the door for a second. Then give them more treats.

If they start to become distressed, let them out and close the door for shorter periods of time. It can take a long time for your cat to not react negatively. But as they grow more comfortable, you can slowly increase how long the door is closed.

4. Add movement

Once your cat is comfortable being in the crate with the door shut, you can start getting them used to being carried while inside. While they’re inside the closed carrier with treats, gently pick it up without letting it swing.

Start small — only a few seconds at a time. Let them out after each time. You can slowly increase how long they’re inside as they become used to it.

When your cat is used to being carried inside the carrier, you can take them on short car rides. If they become stressed, go back a step.

5. Follow a written plan

Training your cat to get used to the carrier can be daunting. It might help to have a visual of how you can approach the training — such as this written plan from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).

The AAHA outlines how to get your cat used to the carrier over the course of 16 weeks. Each week, it recommends a single step you can take with your cat. If you download or print the PDF, you can check off your progress and make notes. 

Keep in mind your cat may take a longer or shorter amount of time to adjust to each stage. That’s OK. It’s important to go at their pace.

6. Talk to your veterinarian

If your cat doesn’t get used to the carrier with training, you may need to consult your veterinarian. They might recommend medication to help with anxiety, such as gabapentin.

Some cats might get motion sickness during car rides. If your cat doesn’t like the carrier because of motion sickness, your veterinarian might be able to prescribe medication for that as well. A medication called Cerenia (maropitant citrate) is often used to treat nausea in cats.

Safety tips for putting an unwilling cat in a carrier

In certain situations, you might need to get your cat into their carrier quickly — before they’re fully used to their carrier. It could be an emergency or a stressful situation. Try these steps to safely put your cat in a carrier:

• Start getting the carrier ready early by putting it in a quiet room. It should be a room that doesn’t have many hiding spots — like a bathroom.

• Calmly bring your cat into the room.

• Use treats to try to encourage them to walk inside the carrier.

• If treats don’t work, gently wrap your cat in a towel and place them inside. The towel should be secure enough to control their legs. But not so tight it affects their breathing.

• If the carrier has a door in the front, you can stand it vertically.

• If you have a hard-sided carrier with a top that can be removed, you can take the top off and gently place your cat inside. Calmly put the top back on.

It might help to have a second person assist you. Don’t chase your cat. It will only increase their stress. Try to stay as calm as possible.

How do you calm a stressed cat in a carrier?

It’s not just the carrier that can stress your cat. The car ride and visit with your vet can also increase your cat’s anxiety. You can try to keep them calm by:

• Placing your cat where they can see you inside the car

• Covering the carrier with a towel

• Holding the carrier in both arms for stability while walking

It’s important to not let the carrier swing or bump into things when you walk. 

If none of these tips work, you can consult your veterinarian on any medication that might help.

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Written by:

Leah Thomason

Leah Thomason was an editorial intern on the GoodRx Health team. She is a writer from Houston, Texas, with an interest in pet health.

Edited by:

Renée Fabian, MA

Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.

Reviewed by:

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM, is from Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Princeton University for undergraduate studies. After a year of biology research at Duke University, he attended Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine.

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