I do this too, but I leave the towel in the carrier. It's an old raggedy towel used only for the carrier. The cats get their scent on it and it helps with anxiety when I take them to the vet.I’m going to put my carriers in the bathroom and disguise them as hiding places. Then try to trap cats in a towel, hoping they will seek the carrier to hide in. We adopted a stray who was pregnant and now her and kittens need spayed and neutered.
Thank you for tip! I grabbed 3 old towels and rubbed them with it and put them in the carriers. 2 went right in as they explored. I’ve had them setting out for a week now and only one went in.I do this too, but I leave the towel in the carrier. It's an old raggedy towel used only for the carrier. The cats get their scent on it and it helps with anxiety when I take them to the vet.
This won’t work with the momma cat. She refuses to be picked up.Most cats won't willingly go into a carrier even with bribes. You're going to have to pick them up and put them into the carriers. Carriers with top doors are easiest to get a cat into.
With my cats, I put them both into the bathroom with the door closed. No need to chase them around and stress everyone out. I get the carriers out and set up with the doors open. I carefully enter the bathroom making sure no one is trying to sneak out. I pick up one cat and leave, closing the door behind. Cat goes into carrier and the door securely closed. I go get the other cat and put the cat into the other carrier.
It is worth a tryv for the mom's carrier but young kittens do not respond to catnip.I’m also wondering if catnip might work.