5 Tips to Make Vet Visits Less Stressful for Your Cat
Anyone who has had the "pleasure" of taking a cat for a vet visit knows that it's no picnic. It usually begins with a wrestling match to get the cat into a carrier. If you manage to survive with only a few scratches, consider yourself lucky. Then comes the "drive of doom," where he will demonstrate his well-developed hissing and howling talents, followed by an excruciatingly long wait in the clinic's lobby, where your cat will either retreat into the fetal position in the corner of his carrier or pace wildly within it, meowing at you in what sounds a lot like the feline version of profanity.
It's no wonder that a recent survey revealed that two-thirds of cat parents take their pets to the vet less then once a year, in part because of "feline resistance" to the experience. It seems that cats have declared war on veterinary care. Unfortunately, it's a war they're winning handily.
You may be one of the precious few humans whose cat is as cool as a cucumber at the vet. If so, read no further. If not, there are things you can do to help your pet relax during trips to the vet and get the most out of his medical exam. Feline healthcare may never be a walk in the park, but you can make it more manageable with our five tips for making vet visits less stressful for your cat.
1. Perform regular at-home check-ups.
One of the best things you can do for your cat is give him regular head-to-tail check-ups at home. Even if you don't know what you're looking for, simply getting him used to being handled will help enormously at the vet. What's more, those home check-ups mean you're more likely to notice a problem with your cat should one arise.
Another very important stress reducer is getting your pet is accustomed to being in a carrier. If he only gets into the carrier to see the vet, chances are he'll resist it. Instead, create a link between the carrier and fond feelings by incorporating the carrier into your daily lives. Let your cat use it as a nap space and offer treats when he's inside. You could also try occasionally leaving it open on the living room floor, incorporating it into playtime with your favorite feline friend.
Going to the vet is inevitably going to create some stress and anxiety in your cat. You can reduce this by offering plenty of love and affection before the trip. It may help calm you too; studies suggest that petting and playing with pets can reduce stress levels in humans. This is a great ritual for the hour before your vet visit. You and your pet are both going to need to be as chill as possible before getting into the car, which felines would probably call the "purring tank of terror," if they were actually able to speak.
2. Get your cat used to car rides.
Much of what sets cats on edge during vet visits is the journey, not the destination. As a general rule, cats hate cars. This is because cats like things to be familiar and predictable, and cars are not a typical part of any cat's daily life. Cats' aversion to cars is reinforced by the fact that, for many, the only time they go inside a vehicle is on the dreaded vet visit. This creates a strong association between two potentially negative events, which may make each seem worse than it actually is.
Some cats will never relax inside a car, but most can get used to the driving drill with a bit of practice. Start by taking short drives (e.g., a 5 minute trip around the block) and gradually increase the length of your excursions. You might try stopping by the vet for a visit even if you don't have a check-up scheduled, especially if your vet has friendly staff that will make the trip an enjoyable experience.
The goal in acclimating your pet to car travel is to dissociate it from the vet experience. If you can teach your cat to relax during car trips, your little purr machine is more likely to arrive at the vet in a calm enough state to cope with the experience, which inevitably begins with an extended stay in the waiting room of doom.
3. Comfort your cat in the waiting room.
The waiting room of a veterinary office can be a very scary place for felines -- filled with barking dogs, hissing cats, and any number of anxious humans. It's normal for your pet to be nervous in this setting. After all, felines are typically solitary and highly predatory animals (mine is attacking my fingers as I type). This is why it's best to leave your cat in his carrier rather than take him into your arms in the waiting room. Not only will he feel safer, he'll be less likely to scratch you in an effort to break free or to get into a skirmish with another animal.
The type of carrier you use can also help reduce vet-related stress for your cat. It should be large enough so that he can stand, stretch, and make a full turn. According to Jessica Beymer, DVM, of the Contra Costa Veterinary Emergency Center in Concord, Calif., hard carriers are a good option since they have a top-loading feature that makes it easy to lift out a scared cat. Beymer also recommends covering the carrier with a towel or blanket - preferably one with the scent of home - in order to limit stimuli in the waiting room, which can be agitating for an anxious animal.
To help your cat relax at the vet, you might also try a pheromone spray, which contains a synthetic form of the scent that cats rub against each other and their loved ones to reinforce social bonds. According to Dr. Beymer, some cats are calmed by it, while others are not. However, at a cost of about $25 for a one-month supply, it's a cheap enough experiment if your cat is really having a problem.
Scheduling appointments during less the vet's least busy times can help minimize chaos and long waits.
But if you can't, remember that it helps your cat if you remain calm in the veterinary waiting room, despite delays. Your cat will take cues from you, and this becomes particularly important when you're ready to leave the waiting area and meet the vet.
4. Comfort your cat during the exam.
Veterinarians are no different than other healthcare providers when it comes to bedside manner. A few minutes of casual interaction puts patients at ease, especially the fearful feline ones. Most vets will do this anyway. If yours does not, ask him or her to take a few minutes to break the ice with your cat before diving into the exam. And remember, a friendly rapport between you and the vet can go a long way toward putting your pet at ease.
There is no getting around the fact that your cat will be poked and prodded during vet visits. But you can ease the discomfort by talking to your pet in a soothing voice during the experience. It also helps to bring something from home such as a towel or blanket to set him on and a favorite toy or treat that you can use to distract your cat during the check-up.
Keep in mind that each visit to the vet is your opportunity to ask questions and prepare yourself for the job of taking care of kitty at home. Also, don't be afraid to call your vet between appointments if you have additional questions or concerns. If you feel your vet is unresponsive look for another one. Your pet's health depends on having a positive relationship with his caregivers. This will become critically important if your pet ever requires an overnight or extended stay in a veterinary clinic.
5. Prepare your cat for an overnight stay.
No cat wants to spend the night away from home, especially not for veterinary care. Unfortunately, there are many reasons a cat might need to spend a night at the vet, including routine procedures such as spaying/neutering or to receive treatment for an illness or injury. This can be very stressful for cats, but there are things you can do to help your pet cope get through it.
When a cat needs to spend a night at the clinic, it helps to have an object from home. Keep in mind that it's the scent of something familiar that's most important, not what the cat will actually do with the object. For this reason, a blanket or piece of clothing with your scent on it is better than a toy. Most animals won't feel like playing in a hospital setting.
Sending your pet for an overnight stay is going to be stressful for you too. It may ease your mind to visit the area where your pet will stay and to ask questions about the overnight staffing, procedures for communicating with you, and whether or not you can visit if your pet is staying more than one night. Some cats may be comforted by a visit, but others may be confused by seeing you come and go. Be sure to ask your vet for guidance on this.
Vet-related stress causes major resistance to veterinary care among cats and their human companions, and veterinarians are working toward solutions for making the process easier for everyone involved. Two groups, the International Society for Feline Medicine and the American Association of Feline Practitioners, have recently developed guidelines to help veterinary staff improve their handling of cats. Their goal is to enhance the feline-friendliness of veterinary practices in order to improve the rate of vet visits among cats worldwide. This is great news for pets and their humans. We're definitely going to need all hands (and paws) on deck to make trips to the vet less stressful for cats.
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