Getting a cat into a carrier sounds simple... until your cat disappears under the bed the moment the carrier comes out.
In this episode of the Diary of a Cat Mom podcast, I share my very first experience trying to get my rescue cat, Sheba, into a front-loading carrier before a veterinary appointment. What I thought would take only a few minutes turned into a stressful experience for both of us.
Over the years—and after caring for several rescue cats—I discovered that preparing myself first was just as important as preparing the carrier. Today I share the simple changes that helped make vet visits calmer, easier, and less stressful for everyone.
If you've ever struggled getting your cat into a carrier, I hope my story helps make your next trip a little easier.
The top-loading cat carrier I mention in this episode made a huge difference for me. It helped make getting my cats into the carrier much easier and less stressful than using a front-loading carrier alone. If you're looking for a similar carrier, here's the one I use: https://amzn.to/44MaoC9
This episode description contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
You'll Hear In This Cat Podcast Episode
- My biggest mistake as a first-time cat mom
- Why the carrier itself wasn't the real problem
- The routine that now works much better for my cats
- Emergency preparedness for multi-cat households
- How small changes reduced stress for everyone
Timestamps & Chapters
00:00 How My First Cat Carrier Experience Began
01:17 Sheba Had Other Plans
02:23 Why the Front-Loading Carrier Didn't Work
03:12 Snow White Taught Me Another Lesson
04:15 The Routine That Changed Everything
05:08 Preparing Myself Before Preparing My Cat
06:02 Why I Now Use a Top-Loading Carrier
06:40 Creating a Calm Experience for Both of Us
Diary of a Cat Mom is a gentle, diary-style cat podcast about everyday life with cats—created especially for cat moms 35+ in multi‑cat homes who see their cats as family.
Resources for Cat Parents
Everything I use for my cats is here: https://diaryofacatmom.com/cat-care-resources/
About the Diary of a Cat Mom Podcast
Diary of a Cat Mom is a personal cat podcast created by Dagmar Gatell, sharing real moments from life with cats. Everything shared comes from lived experience as a cat mom, not intended as professional veterinary advice. Every cat is unique, and for health concerns, always consult your trusted veterinarian.
Help More Cat Parents. 🐾💕
Share your knowledge, experience, and story to help cat parents better understand their cats.
→ Learn More About Becoming a Guest
https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-guest-package
Connect with Cat Parents. 🐾🐱
Reach an engaged community of cat parents and build trust in your brand.
→ Learn More About Sponsorship
https://stan.store/fromhereai/p/podcast-sponsor-package