The Secret to Stress-Free Veterinary Visits With Your Cat

It’s no secret that most cats do not enjoy being taken from their comfortable environment, placed in a carrier, and hauled off to the veterinarian. After all, there are strange people doing strange things to them. There might even be dogs and the smell of strange cats. The nerve!

Since we can’t talk to our cats and explain to them that they’re simply visiting the doctor and they’ll be back home soon, it’s probably a terrifying experience for them.

The good news is there are things you can do to keep your favorite feline from being filled with fear during a routine doctor visit. So, first and foremost, if your cat is stressed by the whole ordeal, talk to your veterinarian and ask for some tips. That's why we're here! It's our goal to help you make their visits with us less upsetting.

Why Regular Vet Care is So Essential For Cats

Because visiting the vet can be so difficult for cats, cat owners often avoid taking their cats in for regular preventive care exams. In fact, many cats only see a veterinarian when their owners can tell they are sick. And since cats hide illness so well, once they show outward signs of disease, they're often very sick. As a result, their owners often end up spending more money trying to combat the problem. Remember: just like with humans, early diagnosis gives the best chance of a positive outcome, so regular wellness and preventive care visits are critical to their good health.

Tips For Making Veterinary Visits Easier For You and Your Cat

You are your cat's person, so you know their likes and dislikes, and that's the first step towards making vet visits easier. And although every cat is different, there are some common things that make kitty visits easier on everyone.

Three things that will help you with your cat's visit to the veterinarian are:

1. Start early. If you get your cat as a kitten, it’s a great idea to get your kitten accustomed to riding in the car and being in the cat carrier. Bring your kitten to your vet's office on days when you don’t have an appointment so that they can get some love and affection from the staff. They’ll begin to associate coming here with positive feelings.

2. Make the carrier comfortable. Get the carrier out a few days before your cat’s veterinary visit. Leave the door open and put treats and toys inside. This will help your cat enjoy getting into the carrier rather than be afraid of it. The last thing you want to have happen is for your cat to associate the carrier solely with going to be poked and prodded. (Don't let your cat be like the one in the cartoon!)

3. Keep the kitty calm. Some cats do better at the veterinary hospital when an owner places a blanket or a towel over the carrier, so she can’t see the other animals in the waiting room. Another way to calm your cat is to use a natural feline pheromone product, like Feliway. You can use Feliway’s diffuser (plug it in at home), or it comes as a collar and a spray.

As veterinarians, the last thing we want to see is a stressed-out kitty and owner. Let us help!

If you have any other questions about making vet visits easier and how to get your cat on the path to wellness, give us a call!