3 tips to make vet appointments easier for your cat
Do you find it challenging to get your cat into the carrier on vet day? You’re not alone, so no need to fret! Cats are naturally territorial and aren’t fans of being plucked from their cozy lives. Since we can’t have a heart-to-heart with them in English, there are a few things we can do to ease their stress, starting days to months ahead of the appointment.
On average, a staggering 60% of cats aren’t getting the veterinary visits they desperately need!⁴ Veterinarians recommend that our feline friends have routine checkups ideally twice a year but at least once annually. yet many don’t even get seen at the vet once a year! This is particularly concerning because cats are highly skilled at hiding their discomfort and health issues. By the time we, as devoted cat parents, notice any changes, it may already be too late for effective intervention.
Cats often communicate their health changes through subtle behavior and body language. Those quirky head tilts, the occasional funny hop, the way they walk down the stairs, or even the way they curl up might seem normal, but they can signal underlying issues. By being attuned to your cat's usual antics and body postures, you’ll catch those crucial changes quicker than a cat can pounce on a laser dot. So, keep a keen eye on their behaviors, facial expressions, and, of course, their chorus of meows! Your feline companion’s health depends on it!
Vet appointments can be easier for your kitty with just a few simple tweaks on your end. By making a few changes, you can significantly improve their experience and help reduce any fear they might feel during the visit.
Carrier Acclimation - make the carrier a friend, not a foe.
The day of the vet Appointment many often pull the carrier out maybe a few minutes to an hour before needing to leave. what is this saying to the cat? this is telling them to Panic, hide and not come out until the threat is over.
instead, try these Options.
leave the carrier out 24/7
If possible, leaving the carrier out 24/7 and letting it serve as a soft, cozy resting spot will help your cat form a positive association with it. Add some soft bedding or a towel inside to create a comfy bed. Every now and then, toss in treats, catnip, or even silver vine if your kitty isn’t keen on catnip, along with some toys. This way, your feline will associate the carrier with pleasant experiences.
bring the carrier out a week before hand
If you're in a smaller space like an apartment and can't leave the carrier out all the time, try bringing it out a few days ahead of your vet visit to help ease your cat's anxiety. Just like the 24/7 method, transform the carrier into a cozy resting spot, filled with comfy blankets, irresistible treats, and a sprinkle of catnip—everything your furry friend loves! This way, even on the big day, they’ll associate the carrier with fun and comfort rather than fear.
Clicker training with the carrier
In addition to the initial options, introducing clicker training to your cat can effectively diminish unwanted behavior towards the carrier. Begin by associating the clicker with something delightful, like a treat they absolutely adore. Once they've made that connection, start rewarding them for desirable behaviors using the clicker and treats. This will ultimately lead to training them to enter the carrier willingly. For a bit of help kickstarting your efforts, there’s a useful video series from iCatCare on how to train your cat to get into the carrier.
2. Calming Music - Utilizing cat specific music before, during & after the vet visit
Several Research studies¹ ² have shown playing cat Specific music can have some benefits for cat stress and anxiety. if you’ve Noticed in rescues many of them are playing a type of soft classical or soundscape music in the kennels to help meet this need as shelters are a very stressful place for Animals. luckily on spotify or any music streaming device there are many playlists dedicated to cats to help reduce their anxiety.
play the music before and on the way to the vet visit
Starting in the morning, cue up your kitty’s favorite playlist to help create the purr-fect atmosphere. The music doesn’t need to be blasting or even noticeable to you; after all, a cat's hearing is far superior to our own! Their hearing ranges from 45 Hz to an astonishing 64 kHz, while humans top out at a mere 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Cats are much more attuned to those higher-pitched sounds. Once you’re in the car, keep the vibe alive by playing the playlist on the way to the vet—remember, it doesn’t have to be cranked up!
play the music during the vet visit
Using your phone, you can stream the playlist while in the waiting room and during the vet visit at a low volume. Make sure it's low enough to hear the veterinarian, allowing them to perform their examination smoothly. Keep in mind that although it may be barely audible to you, it will be quite noticeable to your cat.
play the music on the way home from the vet visit
Play the playlist on your way home and continue it once you're settled in for a little de-stress session.
3. Tapping into their scent Markers- bringing towels & blankets to the vet visit
We mentioned the territorial nature of cats earlier, but did you know cats have Different types of scent glands on their body that they use to mark their territory? actions of scratching cat scratchers (maybe your couch), rubbing their heads on the side of Furniture, your legs and even using the restroom are actions of marking their territory. cats have scent glands along the side of their face, around the mouth, under the chin and their forehead. additionally there are scent glands in their paws, the base of their tail, their anus and in the urine itself ³. everything in your home has been scent marked by your cat as their territory and Suddenly taking them away can cause significant stress for the cat if they haven't received proper training and care. by using a couple of towels/blankets we can tap into the scent marking capabilities to reduce Territorial anxiety for your cat.
use one towel to cover the carrier
once your cat is in the carrier, use a towel to Completely cover the carrier. as cats are Extremely sensitive to stimuli changes, reducing stimuli from their line of sight while allowing the towel to engulf them with their own scent will help reduce overstimulation of seeing other potential Predators like dogs along the way.
when carrying your carrier, hug it close to your body rather than using the handle, this will keep your cat from getting a motion sickness feeling by wobbling back and forth. keep the carrier steady and place it on the floor behind the passenger seat of your car if you can, otherwise the backseat is the second best place for Ultimate safety per crash testing studies.
keep the carrier covered in the waiting room and even in the exam room. open the carrier door so the kitty can explore if they want to but don’t force them. if you have a top Removable carrier (vets prefer these the most) you can remove the top of the carrier when it is time to do the exam and have the cat stay in their carrier base.
have a towel in the carrier itself
Using a towel in the carrier itself can help reassure your cat by bringing its familiar scent from home. It creates a warm resting spot instead of the cold, unwelcoming plastic floor of the carrier. Remember, cats have a body temperature that ranges from 100 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit and prefer a cozy environment around 80 degrees. Unfortunately, most homes and vet offices tend to be a bit cooler than that. bonus points if you heat up the towel or blankets
When it's time for that all-important vet appointment, if your cat is cozy in a top-removable carrier, feel free to leave the towel in the base. But if your carrier doesn't have that feature, once your furry friend has exited, take the towel out and place it either on the floor or the exam table—wherever your cat decides to hang out. This familiar fabric will not only give them warmth but also remind them of the comforts of home, making the vet visit a little more purrable!
With these three helpful suggestions, you can easily enhance your feline friend's overall experience on the big vet day!
