Some great tips to help reduce stress when visiting vets in cats

For most cats, a visit to the veterinarian is an overwhelming experience. The cat is taken out of its familiar home environment, usually roughly pushed into a carrier, put into a noisy car, driven to the veterinary clinic and taken into the reception area where there are intense smells from many other pets and people. They are then taken into an examination room where an unfamiliar person examines them and administers various treatments. Any one of these things can be stressful, and when they are all combined, it’s no wonder that your cat is frightened or stressed. Here are some of our top tips for your cat to have a stress-free vet visit:

Stay calm yourself

Don’t panic, don’t worry, and don’t yell at your cat. Take your time getting yourself and your cat both ready. Be sure to leave in plenty of time to get to the appointment without having to rush, too. The calmer you behave during this type of situation, the more likely your cat will stay calm as well.

Put your cat in a carrier for travel

Travel carrier is the safest and most secure way to transport animals. Once you arrive at your veterinarian’s office, your cat in a secure carrier will be safe from being bothered by other curious pets and feel less vulnerable.

Avoid feeding

Do not feed your cat for at least 6 hours before the journey to avoid nausea or vomiting.

Get your cat used to the trip away from home

To reduce the stress of the car ride, spray your car interior with a couple of squirts of Cat’s stress-reliever diffuser like Feliway 30 minutes to 1 hour before you are leaving. Bring a blanket or large towel with you. Once the carrier is secured in the car, cover it with the towel to reduce visual stimulation.

Handle your cat carefully

When moving the carrier from the car to the clinic, try not to tip the carrier or bang it against any doorways on your way in. Once you are in the examination room, ask your veterinarian if you can put the cat’s blanket on the examination table. Your veterinarian may suggest taking the lid off the carrier so that your cat does not have to be pulled out of the carrier, or maybe can even stay in it during part of the examination.

If you are still afraid that these tips are ain’t enough then don’t worry. At ADI, we offer a Silver standard stress-free experience certified by ISFM for your cat. Our staff are encouraged to approach and handle cats sensitively and respectfully. We also have a separate cat waiting area, consult rooms just for cats and veterinary equipment specifically for treating cats.