Although many kitty cats love the excitement and adventure of a new experience, vet visits can sometimes be anxiety-inducing or stressful. In fact, one research study found that 88% of cats that participated in the study were perceived by their owners as "stressed" during one or more parts of their veterinary visit.
And, if a vet visit is stressful for the cat, then it's sure to be a stressful experience for the owner as well. To help make the experience of your cat's first vet visit even easier for both you and your furry friend, we've put together some of our best tips and tricks!
Choosing a Cat-Friendly Vet
Choosing the right veterinarian can go a long way in making your cat's first trip to the vet a positive experience. Visit websites, read reviews, and get recommendations from other cat owners in your area to help find a veterinary office that can not only meet your cat's healthcare needs, but also do so in a calm and welcoming environment.
If your cat often exhibits anxiety or stressed behaviors, here are a few good things to keep an eye out for in your search for the right veterinarian and vet clinic:
- Separate Waiting Rooms: While not all veterinary practices can accommodate this if your cat is especially anxious around other people or pets, a veterinary office that has a separate waiting room for cats can be a great option. Alternatively, if you find a vet that you love, but their practice doesn't have separated waiting areas, you can ask about accommodations that can be made, such as skipping the waiting room altogether and having the front office staff call you inside once an exam room is ready, allowing you and your cat to safely wait in the car.
- Quiet and Clean Facilities: The sights, sounds, and smells of a vet office can often be overwhelming for cats, especially if it's their first trip to the vet! Opting for a clean and quiet veterinary office can make the experience less stressful for your cat.
- Cat-Friendly Practices: Some veterinary practices go out of their way to make their offices and exam rooms more welcoming to cats. Be sure to look into cat-friendly practices or ones that are even Fear Free certified when choosing a vet.
At our clinic, we try to make the experience as stress-free as possible while providing the care your cat needs. We have exam rooms set up just for kitty cats, which helps limit doggy smells that can stress many cats out. We also use Feliway plugins for a more inviting, calming environment to help your cat's visit be as stress-free as possible.
What to Bring for Your Cat's First Visit
When it comes to your cat's first vet visit, you'll want to be prepared to avoid spending any unnecessary time in the waiting or exam room. First, be sure to bring your kitty's medical history and records. This can include everything from adoption papers to possibly previous records from another clinic if you're switching vets or have recently adopted your cat. It's important for your kitty's home clinic to know their history for the best care possible.
Second, make sure you bring your kitty cat in a carrier, preferably with a comfy blanket inside. The best way to keep your cat comfy is to have them in an already familiar environment and comfortable in their carrier. The carrier acts as their own safe space, and the addition of a blanket can help them hide from other pets or noises if they're shy.
How Can I Make My Cat Happier in Their Carrier?
'New' experiences can make cats anxious. By familiarizing them with a carrier, they can still have a safe space even when traveling to the vet.
- Make the carrier a familiar place at home. Leave it in a room where your cat spends a lot of time.
- Have soft blankets inside the carrier.
- Place treats, catnip, and cat toys inside the carrier.
- Use Feliway to make the carrier smell more relaxing & inviting.
- Bonus tip: Bring your kitty's favorite treats with you! They're more likely to enjoy a snack from home.
How Can I Make the Car Ride Easier?
Many kitties do not like car rides, and with the bumps and noises from the road and traffic, we don't blame them. When cats are already stressed from the ride over to the vet, it's hard to imagine that they'll be calm during their time in the clinic. Making your trip to the vet as easy as possible can go a long way in showing your cat that routine trips to the vet's office are nothing to stress about.
Here are a few tips to those car rides with your cat a bit easier:
- Start the car a few minutes before getting in! This way, the temperature feels the same as the house (less new!).
- Try to keep the car ride quiet.
- Leave ahead of time. Drive smoothly and slowly, without sudden stops or turns.
If you're interested in brushing up on your cat car safety knowledge, check out this resource: Buckle Up! How to Practice Good Car Safety for Pets
Bringing Stray or Feral Cats to the Vet
If your cat is not used to being handled or restrained or has spent much of their time outside, they will likely be more resistant to vet care and restraint. Different clinics may use or recommend special techniques to make their visit less stressful and safer. These include sedatives or more extensive restraints (such as a humane net or a mesh enclosure).
If your kitty cat is stressed, trust the clinic to handle their care! Not only can it be potentially dangerous for you to hold your pet when they're afraid, but your cat should only associate you with positive experiences from home.
- Stay calm & relaxed. Your kitty cat picks up signals from you. By staying relaxed and confident, we signal that this is a safe environment.
- Don't let your kitty around other patients. This is more important for cats who are not accustomed to other pets and are stressed out by other patients. If there are canine patients waiting, we recommend keeping your kitty in the car & asking clinic staff to come out and let you know when there is a room ready. This keeps your furbaby from experiencing unwanted noises or scary dog smells.
Finally, give us a heads-up if your kitty is very nervous around strangers! Unfortunately, we can't explain to your cat that they need the shots or their blood drawn, but we can take extra precautions to avoid any unnecessary trauma.
If you have questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (817) 617-7387, or you can email us at contact@lowcostpetvet.net. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram.