Tips and Tricks for Getting Your Cat to the Vet

Tips and Tricks for Getting Your Cat to the Vet

               Cats can be notoriously difficult to bring to the veterinary office. They often disappear into unusual hiding places or seem to grow extra appendages when attempting to place them into a cat carrier.  Most cats do not enjoy a ride to the vet. Can we blame them? The carrier often appears only once or twice a year, they get squished in through a little door, endure a bumpy car ride and arrive at a place with lots of unfamiliar noises and odors where strangers poke and prod at them. How can we make a trip to the vet easier for our feline friends?  The American Association of Feline Practitioners and Patton Veterinary Hospital have some tips!

• First, choose a cat friendly carrier.  All carriers are not created equal.  Cats often balk at entering or exiting through the front opening of a cat carrier.  A carrier that opens from the top can make it much easier to lift a cat in and out of the carrier. Also, while not a must, a carrier that easily comes apart or has a bottom that slides forward can make the visit much better. As part of low stress handling with the Fear Free initiative, we often remove the top of the carrier to allow your cat to remain in a somewhat familiar spot sitting in the bottom of the carrier and to avoid the struggle of pulling or dumping a cat out through the front. Gentle handling and limiting stress is key to a good visit.
• Getting your cat used to the carrier.  Let’s face it. Most carriers are out of sight, stored away in a garage or basement most of the time.  Cats hate change.  If you can leave your cat’s carrier somewhere where it is always visible and accessible, put enticing things like blankets, treats and catnip inside and allow your cat to explore the carrier so it’s not an unfamiliar, scary place, it may make it easier to transport your cat. Start young by acclimating kittens to the cat carrier. Consider taking your kitten for short car rides in the carrier. If you must store the carrier in a spot like the basement, consider at least bringing it out a few days before the vet visit so your cat has time to get used to seeing and investigating it. 
• Make the ride as comfortable as possible. Many cats get car sick. Making sure the carrier is either belted in or on a flat stable surface reduces motion sickness.  Covering the carrier with a towel may also help to keep your cat calm by creating a dark space with limited visual input.  Pheromones like Feliway may also have a calming effect on many cats and can be sprayed or wiped on the inside of the carrier. If your cat is extremely stressed or suffers from severe motion sickness, medications may be helpful to ease the ride. Ask your veterinarian about options for your cat.
• If your cat is not acclimated to her carrier and needs immediate care, see if you can put the carrier into a small room with few hiding places like a bathroom. Bring or coax the cat to the room slowly and calmly. Try to avoid chasing the cat.  If you can, pick her up or cover her with a towel or blanket and pick her up and lower her into the carrier through the top, or tip the carrier on end and lower the cat in back feet first.

Cats are amazing creatures with their own unique quirks and challenges. We know how frustrating it can be to bring your cat to the vet.  Remaining calm, helping your cat be familiar with his carrier beforehand and having a carrier that opens from the top and comes apart easily in the middle are ways to ease the trip to the veterinary office for your kitty. We hope these tips make your next trip a little easier!

               This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.

https://catvets.com/public/PDFs/ClientBrochures/Getting-Your-Cat-To-The-Vet-B&W.pdf