Taking Your Cat to the Vet
- 1. Take Your Cat to the Vet Week 2011
- 2. Get Your Cat to Like the Vet
- 3. Get Your Cat to Like His Carrier
- 4. Get Your Cat to Like the Car
- 5. Keep Your Cat Calm During a Vet Exam
- 6. Questions to Ask Your Cat's Vet
- 7. Banfield's Tips for Low-Stress Vet Visits for Cats
- 8. Get the Most Out of Your Cat's Vet Appointment
Get Your Cat to Like the Vet
Jane's cat Mojo
Jane Harrell, Petfinder.com associate producer
Few things strike fear in the hearts of cat parents like a trip to the vet -- and the result, too often, is that our cats get inadequate healthcare. In fact, cat advocacy group the Catalyst Council estimates that cats go to the vet less than half as often as dogs.
USA Today pet columnist Sharon L. Peters recently interviewed the ASPCA Animal Behavior Center's Kristen Collins about how to keep cats calm during vet trips. Read the full article here.
Collins offered these tips, all of which will be easy with a kitten ("With an adult cat," Peters writes, "you follow all the same procedures, but you must go much slower"):
- As early as possible in your cat's life, get him used to different people and environments.
- Use a cat harness and leash to go out into the world, and give your cat treats and playtime in each new environment. (Learn more about harness training your cat here.)
- Take practice trips to the vet once or twice a week -- your cat won't be examined, but you'll give him treats and let him get used to the place. (See more about keeping your cat calm in the car here.)
- Make the cat carrier a positive place -- leave it open all the time, filled with comfy bedding. Feed your cat in it and stick treats inside it often. (See more about keeping your cat calm in his carrier here.)
- Get your cat used to being handled the way the vet will handle her. While you're at home and for just a few seconds to start, get your cat used to being scruffed, having her hindquarters handled and lying on her back, so those won't feel scary during a vet visit.
Despite your best efforts, your cat may never totally relax on trips to the vet -- but even a slight decrease in stress can make a big difference for you and your cat.
Practice and patience worked wonders for my cat Mojo, who would foam at the mouth, pee and have explosive diarrhea every time we put her in the car. Today, Mojo gets in and out of the carrier easily and can even survive a short car ride to the vet without needing a bath afterward.
In the next few chapters, we'll outline how to teach a cat to relax during every step of a visit to the vet. We'll also offer alternatives for cats who just can't make the trip.
More on this topic:
Petfinder Articles:
Tips for a Healthy Cat
How to Tell if a Cat or Dog May Need Veterinary Care
Choosing a Vet
Video:
Cat's Health and Wellness
Tips on Vet Visits and Cat Care
About.com Veterinary Medicine:
Top 8 Pet Socialization and Behavior Tips For Veterinary Office Visits
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Cats: Taking Your Cat to the Vet:
Get Your Cat to Like His Carrier
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