Reducing Stress for Your Cat’s Vet Visits Start at Home

Veterinary visits are stressful for most pets. Cats especially are very sensitive to any changes in their environment or routine. Though we may not be able to fully alleviate your cats anxiety during their appointment, there are steps you can take to minimize it. Here are a few tips to help your kitty through this typically stressful event:

1. Start by leaving your carrier out a few days before your appointment. Get them acclimated to seeing their carrier. Leave treats and cat nip in the carrier to make it a positive space for your kitty. Practice closing the door briefly while your cat is in there so they can get used to the door being closed. This will make it less stressful when you actually need to close it to bring them into the clinic.
2. Feliway is a pheromone spray that can be helpful to calm your kitty. You can spray directly inside the carrier and/or spray on a towel and drape over the carrier the morning before your appointment. Bringing a Feliway sprayed towel with you to drape over the carrier can also be helpful to reduce stress while in the waiting area of your veterinary hospital.
3. Ensure your Veterinary clinic practices fear free tactics. We strive to minimize stress through careful restraining techniques and being mindful when our patients have reached their limit.
4. In more extreme cases, if your cat does not tolerate being handled during an exam ask your veterinary professionals about prescribing medications you can administer before your appointment. Certain medications might be able to help calm your cat enough during visits that your Veterinary staff can safely perform an exam and treatments without having to use full sedation.

So remember, helping to reduce stress levels during vet visits starts before you even leave home. Before your next Veterinary appointment try these helpful hints, your kitty will thank you!