Visits to the veterinary clinic don’t always have to be stressful for our cats (and us!). The understanding of animal healthcare has changed significantly in recent years. Nowadays, many vet clinics have staff trained in low-stress handling—as well as using FELIWAY within different rooms—which helps to minimize the stress cats experience when visiting the clinic.
However, it’s not only clinic staff who can help reduce our cats’ stress. We also play a fundamental role. Today we’re talking through how to prepare a cat for a vet visit and what we can do to provide extra support.
Not all veterinary clinics have emergency services, but it is very common for our local clinic to be associated with a hospital for such cases. Therefore, it is important to discuss this in advance with your regular veterinarian to know where to go if a situation arises with your cat that requires special or out-of-hours attention.
If you don’t have a reference hospital, go to the nearest veterinary hospital. When it comes to preparing your cat for the vet visit, the first thing to do is ensure the safety of your cat and call the hospital to inform them that you are on your way and describe the situation. Check with the vet team to know what to keep in mind during travel to the hospital.
Try to place your cat inside a carrier and always stay close to them. For example, if your cat is in the back seat of the car, it is ideal for someone to accompany them. It is also important to ensure the carrier is stable in the car to minimize movement—the space behind the front seats on the floor is the best place for this.
Taking cats to the vet in non-emergency situations, such as for scheduled appointments, is best broken down into several stages.
Place the carrier in view of your cat with a treat or a bit of wet food inside so they ideally enter by themselves. If they do not want to enter, gently guide them in with your hands, or gently lift them, but it is important not to trick or deceive them.
A quick note, if your cat might need a blood test, it is very important not to provide treats or food as your cat needs to be fasted.
Cats, like us, feel safer if they know what is going to happen—that is, if they have predictability of events.
Cats pay close attention to our actions and what is happening around them. For example, if the doorbell rings or we pack our suitcases, they often know what will happen next. They associate one event with the next, which allows them to anticipate what is going to happen.
The same applies when it comes to taking a cat to the veterinarian. If the cat knows that a certain routine leads to the vet, they may resist entering the carrier. If we deceive them by forcing them in, they will likely hide the next time they see us preparing it.
To avoid this, we can do three things:
The next step for taking your cat to the vet is to close the carrier door and place a blanket over it to prevent your cat from seeing all the external stimuli. Make sure you have a small area uncovered so your cat can look out if they wish. This can be helpful, as it gives them a little control over the situation.
Be sure to leave with enough time to avoid being late, but the less time waiting at the clinic the better for your cat, as they can find waiting in the strange building stressful. If you arrive early, one option is to stay in the car until it is time for the appointment.
Upon arrival at the vet clinic, inform the staff if your cat has any specific needs, such as avoiding the presence of other animals nearby. If you know your cat is fearful or very anxious during veterinary visits, it can be helpful to book an appointment during a less busy time.
Increasingly, veterinary clinics have a waiting room exclusively for cats and even elevated areas for placing carriers.
It is never recommended to take your cat out of the carrier in the waiting room. If they get scared and have an aggressive or flight reaction, it can be dangerous for them and others around you.
In the consultation room, follow the instructions given by the nurses and veterinarians for handling your cat.
On the way home from the vet, if your cat has become very stressed, prepare a quiet and dimly lit room for them. Place a litter box, a bowl of food, and another with water in the room. Open the carrier and let them come out at their own pace without forcing them.
When their behaviour normalizes and they are no longer scared or very anxious, gradually open the rest of the rooms in the house. Avoid petting them in areas where they may be in pain and give instructions to family members on how to care for them.
If you have more cats at home, it is very beneficial to follow a small reintroduction protocol. Returning after veterinary visits, especially after hospitalizations, can be a moment of conflict between the cats living together. The cat coming back from the clinic may smell different, move differently or be less tolerant of interactions with their housemate cats. This protocol consists of:
Following these steps can make veterinary visits more manageable for our beloved cats and us.
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