Since, thankfully, our cats aren’t quite so self sufficient
as the kitty below, we are responsible for that sometimes dreaded car trip to
the vet. Here is some information to
hopefully ease that challenge.
Cats are officially the most popular pet in the US but
vastly underrepresented at the veterinarian, often missing out on important
preventive veterinary care. Many cats
(and people, for that matter) become very anxious at the mere thought of a trip
to the vet. Here are some suggestions to
make your cat’s trip to the vet as positive as possible:
The crate—make it a friendly place to hang out:
·
Invest in a crate with accessibility through the
top or a carrier with a removable top portion.
·
Allow your cat free access to the crate at home
to make it more inviting. You can
provide treats, a favorite blanket, food, and toys so your cat is comfortable
with the carrier during visits to the vet.
You can eventually try feeding your cats enticing meals within the
crate.
·
A feline pheromone product like Feliway may help
to ease your cat’s stress level and can be sprayed on the bedding placed in the
crate.
The car ride—practice runs can make all the difference:
·
Get your cat used to going on rides in the
car. Take the opportunity to take your
cat for a ride around the block and don’t forget to put a favorite toy, treat,
or catnip in the carrier.
·
Covering the carrier with a blanket or towel can
further ease anxiety and increase confidence.
·
Make sure to keep the stereo volume low, the
windows up, and the air vents on to decrease stress.
·
Slowly progressive introduction to the car can
decrease stress and anxiety related to trips.
Hopefully, after some practice runs in the car, your kitty will be more
accustomed to trips and it can be a more positive experience.
·
Never leave your cat in a hot car or unattended
for an extended period of time!
The visit to the veterinarian:
·
Bring special toys or treats for the visit to
make the it as positive as possible.
·
Call ahead to see if the doctor is running on
time to expedite your visit and shorten the time in the waiting room.
Please let us know if there’s any other we can ease your
feline friend’s trip to the vet. We are
very happy to be part of your kitty’s health and well-being!
Written by: Stephanie Kotas, DVM
