10 Tips for Reducing Your Cat's Stress During Vet Visits
This article is written by Royal Canin Scientific Services Veterinarian, Dr Chantelle McGowan
There are more than 5 million cats across Australia and New Zealand, yet many of these do not have access to important veterinary care. In fact, a recent Royal Canin study found that 50% of cat owners do not take their cat to the vet regularly enough. However, the same study showed that 66% of cat owners would take their cats to the vet if it were less stressful. We hear you! It can be awful watching your cat get distressed going to and from the vet.
Cats do not have 9 lives and need to see their veterinarian AT LEAST once or twice a year - so here's 10 tips on minimising stress when taking your cat to the vet.
1. Never travel with your cat loose in the car
No matter how well you think you have your kitty cat restrained on your lap or with a harness and lead, rest assured that your clever cat will always be able to wriggle out of your grip! You might also be surprised how many nooks and crannies your car actually has until you see your kitty cat escape into them. Save yourself the hassle and use a cat carrier!
2. Choose a robust carrier
Try to select a carrier that opens from the top, the front and can also be taken apart in the middle (an easily removal top allows an anxious cat to be examined, whilst remaining in the bottom half of the carrier). Focus on the practical and functional features, such as how easy it is to clean.
3. Make the carrier 'part of the furniture'
Try not to store the carrier away between visits. Place the carrier in a location at home where it may be regarded by your cat as 'part of the furniture' allowing it to become a familiar item.
4. Prepare the carrier
Make the carrier as comfortable and familiar as possible by putting in some clothing with your scent or your cat's scent into the carrier (you can gently wipe a soft cloth along the side of your cat's face to pick up their scent. Alternatively, you can spray some synthetic feline facials pheromone Feliway on the clothing at least 30 minutes prior to departure). Don't forget that your cat may soil the carrier during the journey, so it is a good idea to take some spare bedding for the drive back home.
Read our Vet's Guide to Using Feliway
5. Lower them in with skill, not strength
If your cat doesn't willingly enter the carrier, you can calmly and gently lower them into the carrier through the top opening. Alternatively, you can remove the top half of the carrier and replace it after your cat voluntarily gets into the bottom half. If your cat is really unwilling to get int the carrier, you can wrap them in a thick towel (containing their scent or some Feliway), then lower the cat and the towel into the carrier.
6. Bring an 'invisibility cloak'
Don't forget to bring an extra towel or blanket, as this will provide an extra layer for your cat to hide behind. Try covering the carrier with the towel for the cat to hide behind; most cats will prefer this.
7. Steady does it...
Try to prevent the carrier from being shaken when carrying it, or in the car. Secure the carrier in the foot-well behind the front seat or with the seat-belt. Drive carefully, avoid loud and aggressive music; use quite positive tones to talk reassuringly to your cat. The calmer the owner, the calmer the cat. Try playing some cat calming music during the journey, available on most streaming services.
8. Ask the receptionist where to go in the waiting room
Once in the reception area, ask where to sit and when to place the carrier off the ground. We strongly recommend having the front end of the carrier toward you (rather than towards other cats and dogs) and to keep the carrier covered with a towel when in the reception area.
9. The car ride home
Follow the same protocol on the journey home. Cats remember all parts of the journey and equal care must be taken throughout each stage of the clinic visit.
10. Extra points for Multi-cat households
Multi-cat households require a few extra precautions when returning home:
- Leave your returning cat in the carrier for a few minutes and see how the other cats react
- If all cats remain calm, you can open the carrier and let them re-join the other cats
- If you sense tension between your cats, it is probably because the returning cat bears odours from the practice
- Should this happen, keep your returning cat in a separate room (with a litter tray, food & fresh water) for a minimum of 24 hours to regain a more familiar scent.
You can check out more information and ideas at Royal Canin Take Your Cat To The Vet Webpage. Thanks to Royal Canin's sponsorship of the Cat Friendly Clinic initiative (with the not-for profit International Society of Feline Medicine), they have included a list of cat-friendly clinics in your area to make it less stressful to take your cat to the vet. #cat2vet
Further Reading
Want to read more? Check out our other articles: