Cat restraint is often necessary to give your cat medication, or if you need to handle his face, mouth or ears or feet. A cat restraint bag can keep your cat restrained without harming him. The zippered bag has room for your cat's legs and a hold for his head; smaller zippered holes in the base of the bag allow you to remove your cat's leg's one at a time. Read on to learn how to properly restrain your cat in a cat restraint bag.
Why Restraint Bags Are a Good Idea for Cats
Cats typically hate to endure taking medication, having ear or eye ointment administered, having their teeth brushed, or having their nails trimmed. If you have been handling your cat in this way since he was a kitten, he may be more sedate than other cats when faced with grooming or medications. However, most cats struggle; restraining your cat with too much force only causes him to struggle harder. Your cat's sharp claws and teeth can make inappropriate cat restraint hazardous for you both.
A cat restrain bag allows you to restrain all or some of your cat's legs during grooming, or while administering medication. When your cat is fully restrained within the bag, only his head will stick out of the hole. You can unzip smaller holes in the corners of the bag to remove your cat's feet for grooming. Cat restraint bags make restraining your cat safer and less alarming for you both.
Using a Cat Restraint Bag
Cat restraint bags are usually made of thick canvas. The neck opening will have a hook that allows you to secure the sack around your cat's neck like a cape. The bottom of the bag unzips down the middle; smaller holes for accessing your cat's leg also have zip or velcro fasteners.
To put your cat in the restraint bag, hang it from his neck, fastening the hole tight enough that he can't get a front foot through, but not so tight that it will strangle. You should still be able to slide your finger into the neck hole when it is fastened. Then, turn your cat upside down and hold him on his back so you can zip the long zipper running down the belly. Be careful not to catch any of your cat's fur in the zipper.
Alternatively, you can put the cat restraint bag down, placing your cat in the middle so that the long zipper will run down his back. Pull the sides up around him, tucking his tail in carefully. Zip the bag and then fasten the neck hole.
Restraining Your Cat without a Restraint Bag
If a cat restraint bag isn't available, restrain your cat with a thick towel. Roll the cat up snugly in the towel, with all of his feet inside. Use clothes pins to keep the towel closed. Withdraw the cat's feet from the ends, one at a time, for grooming.