How To Reduce The Stress Of Going To The Vet For Your Cat
Posted on: 19 January 2016
If you have to take your cat to the vet, chances are good that the cat is not going to be at all interested or happy. Your cat doesn't really care about its health, its shots, or its flea treatments. All it cares about is that you are taking it away from where it likes to live, putting it into a box, and then taking it somewhere else. Here are some tips for reducing the stress that your cat feels when it goes to the vet.
1. Start Using the Cat Carrier Earlier
A few weeks before you go to the vet, get out the cat carrier and get your cat used to it. Put special treats or toys in the carrier so that your cat will go inside of it and even consider putting pillows or other soft things in it so that your cat will start using it as a place to nap. Try to get your cat to associate positive feelings with the carrier, rather than fear. If you only use the carrier when the cat needs to go to the vet, your cat is going to strongly dislike the carrier and put up a lot of resistance when it is time to take it to the vet. This is going to increase your cat's stress level. To keep it low, make sure that you head off this fight before it even happens by making the carrier a positive feature in your cat's life. Make sure that you continue this practice after the vet appointment in order to keep the positive associations strong.
2. Practice Driving With Your Cat
Unless you live super close to the vet, you are going to have to put the cat carrier, with your cat, into the car and drive it around. This can be very stressful for your cat. Try to make it less stressful by getting your cat used to being in the car with the carrier for short periods of time each day. Even driving with your cat for 5 minutes a day a few times a week leading up to the vet's visit can help your cat get more used to being in a car.
3. Get a Large Enough Carrier
Finally, make sure that your carrier is large enough for your cat so that it can sit, stand, and lie down without feeling hampered. You want your cat to totally be able to turn around as well. This will give your cat a sense of bodily autonomy and make your cat more comfortable, thus reducing stress. You also will want to make sure that the carrier can be opened from the top so that it is relatively easy to lift out your scared cat without hurting it.
For more information, talk to a professional like After Hours Veterinary Emergency Clinic Inc.
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