How to Prepare Cats for a Vet Visit and Reduce Stress
Updated: 2 days ago
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For the majority of parents, this could be more accurately titled: "Vet Visits from HELL". The worst thing you can do is scoop up your unsuspecting cat and shove it into a carrier, as much as we want to get it over with as quickly as possible.
The same would apply to any pet: I had a bunny that would scarper whenever it saw the basket of doom. If you're not familiar with this site then get reading, because here's where you want to use a cat's territorial nature to your advantage.
How to Choose a Suitable Cat Carrier
The carrier should be a safe haven, not a prison. How would you like to be plucked out of your comfy home and carted off to some unknown destination in a plastic box? Wouldn't you feel slightly more comfortable if that box (or vehicle) belonged to you? Preparing cats for a vet visit starts not hours, but days before stepping into a clinic.
If you're lucky enough to have cats from a young age, ideally kittens, this is a good time to normalise vet trips - which you should be doing with check-ups, vaccinations, microchipping and/or having them desexed. Taking cats on short car journeys may also help them get used to travelling. If your kitty associates its carrier with fear, that trauma is going to come flooding back every time he or she sees it.
Any kind of enclosure is going to freak a cat out because it prevents escape, which is their first response to danger. Not to mention all of the new smells that a clinic has to offer, including the scents of other animals. To ease this process, selecting the right type of carrier is a good place to start.
Beaphar Herbal Calming Treats contain hop flowers, Melissa and valerian which is known for its calming properties. They help to promote relaxation and reduce the symptoms of stress including scratching, spraying and excessive vocalisation.
Removable tops or lids are ideal so you can lift your cat into and out of the carrier, rather than trying to force it through a front gate. It also allows the vet to carry out their examination from the carrier with minimal handling. Sometimes cats don't appreciate being touched by their owners, let alone a stranger. Have you ever petted your kitty, only for it to start grooming the area that you put your hands on?
As for the size of the carrier, it should have enough room for cats to stand up or lie down and adjust their position; but not so big that they fall around while travelling. Cats Protection recommend using a carrier that's a few centimetres longer, wider and taller than your cat - so if you have kittens then it'll need upsizing as they grow. Carriers should also have ventilation slots on each side.
It's not unusual to see people travelling with cats in soft carriers or even backpacks, as is the current social media trend, which ultimately depends on the temperament of your cat. Remember they're capable of ripping and biting through fabric if they're stressed or frightened enough, and it doesn't offer as much protection as a plastic or metal wire carrier. They're also harder to clean if kitty has an accident!
Amazon Basics Hard-Sided Cat Carrier is a 2-door model with a front and top opening for loading pets. It has ventilation on all sides and easy opening latches.
Turning Carriers into a Safe Place
Now you've chosen the perfect carrier, it must be transformed into that all-important safe space. Start by leaving it in a room that your cat frequents for a few days, up to a week, prior to the vet visit. This gives them a chance to claim it as part of their territory by marking it with their scent, reminding them that it's safe and familiar.
Place a blanket or towel inside for the cat to lie on, or use bedding that's already covered in its scent. If you have cat trees and shelves, you can wipe over the area with a cloth and use that as a familiar object. You could even use an old T-shirt because, of course, they'll recognise your scent too! Toys and treats will create positive associations and help to entice a reluctant kitty.
Cat Calming Products
For the big day, you might want to use a spritz of the various calming sprays that are available on the market. Pheromone-based sprays such as Feliway or Pet Remedy's essential oil blends come highly recommended, all of which can be sprayed inside or over the carrier prior to the journey. Plug-in diffuser versions of these products are available, although effects aren't always immediate and may require several weeks to work.
Tablets, such as YuMOVE Calming Care for Adult Cats can be administered in advance of a vet trip, but again may take time to build up in the system. Herbal calming treats and spot-ons are also good options. Whatever you decide and whatever works best for your cat, there are plenty of products and brands to choose from.
Feliway Classic Spray contains pheromones that help to reduce common signs of stress. Can be used during major changes including renovations, travel and vet visits. Available in 20ml or 60ml bottles that are suitable for use at home or on the go.
Travelling to the Vet Clinic
To reduce movement when travelling, hold the carrier level so your cat isn't sliding around and use a seatbelt to secure it while driving. Where a cat is crying, panting or generally stressed out, you can cover the carrier with a towel or blanket. Limiting visual stimulation may give them a chance to calm down and focus on themselves.
Cats also appreciate height advantage, so if there's a table in the clinic's waiting area then do make use of it. Remember too that a frightened kitty may pee on its bedding, so take a spare towel just in case.
Taking Multiple Cats for a Vet Visit
If you have multiple cats that require a health check-up, it's advisable to take them together so they both smell the same upon their return. We don't want any unnecessary cases of non-recognition aggression, especially where fighting is already present. If this isn't possible or you're worried about cats stressing each other out, keep them separated for 12-24 hours after the visit. This way, the remaining cat isn't being subjected to any foreign smells.
Related post: How to Reintroduce Cats After a Fight in 6 Steps
Lastly, cats take emotional cues from humans, so staying cool and collected is as beneficial for them as it is for you!
Summary
To make it even easier, use this brief rundown as a handy reminder for that next vet visit:
Invest in a suitable carrier.
Add familiar bedding, blankets or towels.
Use calming sprays.
Offer treats to reward or entice.
Secure the carrier with a seatbelt and minimise movement.
Take multiple cats for check-ups together or separate for 12 hours minimum.
Stay calm - you've got this!
Have you been struggling with your own vet visits from hell? Let us know how we can help in the comments.
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