Cats and Vets - How to Make the Visit Less Stressful

Taking a cat to the vet can be a stressful exercise for both feline and human. First, there is the cat carrier situation. Getting your friend to actually go in it can be a struggle in itself. Then, there's the transportation issue. If you go by car, someone will need to hold the carrier and do the comforting. If you use public transport, and your cat happens to be rather vocal, you'll usually get a lot of attention from complete strangers. The vocal protests might carry on in the waiting room, and your cat's behaviour with his vet tends to be unpredictable. Some might be peaceful and allow the vet to do their thing. Some might go into panic mode, dash around the room or bring out the claws. Finally, there's the worry that the next time you bring out the carrier, your feline will rapidly make himself scarce because he'll know what's in store for him.

How, then, to go about the visit with the minimum of hassle? The answer rests in a good amount of preparation.

If you have a cat carrier ready, you can place it in the living room to allow your cat to get used to it. It's best to leave it open - curious as felines are, he'll want to investigate and move in and out of it of his own free will. If you place the carrier there the day before the visit, or preferably a few days beforehand, he won't automatically see it as a threat.

Try not to show you're worried or stressed. Animals are very good at picking up on this, and if he feels you're worried he's more likely to get worried, too. Stick to your usual patterns; cats love their routine.

It's best when scheduling the visit and travel, to add a decent amount of time for the "getting the cat into the carrier" situation. The least stressful way is to lure your feline into it through play or with some food or a treat. If this does not happen, try to gently pick him up and place him in the carrier. Miracles do happen; there are times when this works.

If it doesn't, and you have a wriggling cat on your hands, possibly resisting the carrier by placing all four paws against the edges or attempting to turn into a ball of fur with teeth and fangs, you can try the towel method. You'll need two people for this - one to hold open the carrier (this person should also be prepared to close it as rapidly as possible) and one to gently approach your feline. Try to carefully wrap the towel around his body and paws. Do not cover his face, as this could cause problems with his breathing and increase his panic levels. Ease him into the carrier, semi-close the carrier whilst leaving enough space to pull the towel out of it (this should be done with care, as you don't want to topple your cat or get him tangled up; he needs to be able to extract himself from it), but do not leave enough space for your cat to leap back out again.

If at all possible, avoid public transport. Public transport might be better for the environment, but if a car is available it's best to avoid the walking around (which can rock the carrier and make your cat uncomfortable). Also, the additional noise of so many people around might cause anxiety. Make sure you have someone to hold the carrier, or if someone else is driving, you can hold it and comfort your feline by speaking to him in a soft and reassuring manner.

It's not unlikely that your cat might relief himself out of fear and stress. This is natural, so it's best to place something at the bottom of the carrier, to absorb it and to keep the carrier as clean as possible. Something soft might also give him comfort and decrease the risk of him sliding around. An old, soft towel or other piece of fabric is ideal, so long as you don't mind the possibility of having to throw it in the bin after the visit.

Do not be too concerned if your cat makes his discontent clear, and at the top of his voice. Yes, he's protesting, yes, he's unhappy, but the calmer you are, combined with soothing talk, the less stressed he will be. Don't worry about other people. Those in the waiting room will be sympathetic. They all love animals!

The actual visit with the vet can be unsettling. Even if visiting for a check-up, it can be stressful. It's helpful to keep in mind that the vets know what they're doing, and that they tend to have a true love for animals. If you need the support of your partner or friend, it's nothing to be ashamed about. The vet will understand.

If your cat does act up, it's nothing to be embarrassed about either. There's no need to fret, as your vet knows that all animals react differently to being handled by a stranger, in a strange environment. You can help by trying to comfort your feline and by settling him as best as you can.

Once home, your cat might ignore you. Don't worry, he'll come around again. After you've cleaned the carrier, it can be helpful to leave it around for another few days, especially if it doesn't seem to overly distress him. He might just get back to investigating it, and once he realises that being in it does not automatically mean a repeat of the visit, he might just be less scared the next time you bring it out.

Good luck!

This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for Pets.