Although many kitty cats love the excitement & adventure of a new experience, vet visits can sometimes be anxious or stressful.

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! This limits doggy smells. We also use Feliway plugins for a more inviting, calming environment.)

To help make the experience even easier for your furry friend, here are some tips & tricks!

What to Bring for Your Cat’s First Visit

First, bring your kitty’s medical history & records. This can include everything from adoption papers to possibly previous records from another clinic. 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.

‘New’ experiences can make cats anxious. By familiarizing them with a carrier, they can still have a safe space even when travelling to the vet.

How Can I Make My Cat Happier in Their Carrier?

  • 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 (available on Amazon) 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. Here are a few tips to make it 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.

Tips for Stray/Feral Cats

If your kitty 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 restraint (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, your kitty 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 that 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.