Reducing stress when your cat visits the vet
Veterinary surgeries can be offputting places for cats to visit. The journey in the car, waiting in proximity to other cats and dogs, and the unfamiliar “medical” smells in the consulting room can all create stress for cats and their owners. What can you do to make sure your cat can receive proper veterinary care without becoming distressed?
The cat carrier
Choose a cat-friendly practice
Help your cat to hide
Veterinary practices can provide cat-only waiting areas and hospital wards, use cat-soothing pheromone diffusers in cat areas, and provide catfriendly accommodation such as “feline forts” which allow cats to choose whether to hide away inside or climb on top. Staff should receive regular training in treating cats with gentleness and respect. Acorn House Veterinary Hospital has been accredited as a Gold Standard Cat Friendly Clinic by the International Society of Feline Medicine, confirming that the top level of cat friendly practice is being adhered to.
Choose a carrier that your cat can enter end-on, but that has an easily removable top section. The end-on opening means that you can keep the carrier out at home at all times, sometimes leaving tasty treats inside, so that your cat learns that this is a safe and welcoming place to spend time in. A top section that lifts off easily means that cat-friendly vets can remove this and allow the cat to sit safely in the bottom half of the carrier whilst examination is carried out – this makes cats feel much more secure than being pulled out of the carrier and deposited onto the exam table!
Consider waiting for your appointment in the car or car park until the vet is ready to call you in. If it is necessary to wait in the waiting room, covering the cat carrier with a large blanket or towel will provide some security.
Consider medication Cats that are very nervous travellers or patients may benefit from anti-anxiety medication given an hour or so before the vet visit. Your vet will be able to advise further.
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