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Tips for Taking Your Cat to the Vet

Keep Your Cat Calm During a Vet Exam

Photo: Thinkstock

Jane Harrell, Petfinder.com associate producer

Whether you bring your cat to the vet's office or have a vet come to your home, here are some things vet-recommended steps you can take to keep your cat calm during an exam.

Find a vet who knows cats: "Find a vet who is really a 'cat person,' someone comfortable and confident with cats," says Karen Johnson, DVM, of Banfield Pet Hospital in Portland, OR. "A cat person will almost always start a visit with talking to, and interacting with, the cat as opposed to getting right down to business. A good cat vet will be able to 'read' a cat's attitude and mood and work with whatever that mood is."

Schedule your appointment during non-peak hours: If you're bringing your cat to the clinic, "ask the clinic when the least-busy times are and schedule accordingly," says Dr. V, small-animal veterinarian and writer of the blog Pawcurious. "The less you have to wait, the better."

Bring something soft for your cat to stand on: "Think about bringing a towel or yoga mat to put on the exam room table," Dr. V says. "Vets like stainless steel because it is very easy to clean, but it's also cold and slippery. Giving the cat something to grip may make a big difference."

Bring things to distract your cat: Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM, who writes About.com's Veterinary Medicine column, suggests packing a goody bag with items such as treats, catnip and your cat's favorite toys. If your cat's a hider, bring a towel that smells like home so she can have her head underneath it.

Practice at home: Many vets recommend practicing touching your cat at home the way your vet might during a basic exam. "When your cat is at home, relaxed and happy, look in his ears; open his mouth -- gently and only if you are sure of how to do it; and handle his paws -- even introducing a clipper and tapping on a claw -- to help make these health-exam basics less scary over time," says Dr. Crosby.