Easier Vet Visits for Cats

More than 50% of cats don’t get routine, preventative vet care. For many cats and their owners, fear and aggressive behavior prevents important vet visits. It doesn’t have to be that way though.

Before the Appointment

Find the Right Vet
More and more vets are understanding the importance of decreasing fear and stress in their patients. Your vet should provide a separate waiting area for cats (away from dogs) or let you wait in your car until your exam room is ready. They should prioritize keeping your cat relaxed and comfortable instead of just “getting it done.” If your cat is very anxious or difficult to handle, they should be open to discussing medications that can help before a vet visit. Look for a vet clinic that are described as “Fear Free,” “Cat Friendly,” or as using low-stress handling techniques.

Carrier Training
For many cats, the battle to get to the vet starts as soon as the carrier comes out. A vet visit can be much less stressful just by making the carrier less scary.

  • Choose a hard-sided carrier with an option to remove the top for access. This will make it easier for the vet to handle your cat without having to pull them out of the carrier. 
  • Leave the carrier out for your cat to get familiar with. Remove or prop open the door and put a soft bed inside. 
  • Feed your cat inside the carrier or hide special treats inside. If your cat is very nervous about their carrier, start with treats around the outside and slowly move them further inside.
  • Practice asking your cat to go into the carrier for a treat but don’t shut the door. Once that’s easy, shut the door briefly and then let them out. Build up to carrying them around the house or out to the car and back. Continue to give special treats through the carrier door. 
  • Do extra practice before and after vet visits. ​

The Day of the Appointment

The Journey
How you get to the vet will set the stage for a calm visit. Give yourself plenty of time so you don’t feel rushed.

  • Spray a pheromone product like Feliway on the bed in the carrier about 15 minutes before putting your cat inside. If your cat has a relaxed reaction to catnip, add that too.
  • Ask your cat to go into the carrier for a treat. 
  • Cover the carrier with a towel. (Or cover just the front if you’re worried about them overheating.)
  • Start the car before bring the carrier out if it is particularly cold or hot. Keep music to a low volume. Drive gently.

If your cat isn’t comfortable going into their carrier on their own yet, take them to a smaller room like a bathroom before even touching the carrier so they can’t instantly run and hide. Often it is easier to place a cat down into a top-loading carrier than to push them through the front door. Use a towel when picking them up if you’re worried about scratching.

Once you arrive at the vet:

  • Keep the carrier covered until you are in the exam room.
  • Ask the vet to remove the top of the carrier rather than reaching in through the front.
  • Have special treats/toys available to help your cat relax and see the vet as a fun place.

After the Visit

If you have multiple cats, take the cat that went to the vet to a separate room when they first get back. Give them some time to relax and recover from any stress they were feeling. This will also give them time to groom themselves and remove the smell of the vet. Often when there are issues between cats after vet visits, it is because one cat is stressed and intolerant of being approached or because of the new smells they bring home. 

If one of your cats is going through major health changes, this can also affect the relationship between cats in the home. To help them, make sure your home has plenty of raised perches. Separate resources like food/water bowls, litter boxes, and sleeping spots so the cats can keep their distance if they want to. Finally, give them all daily interactive play and reward them for being relaxed around each other.

Keep your cat happier and healthier with a few steps toward an easier vet visit!