“Fraidy Cat” – WHY cats hate vet visits & HOW you can fix that for them

In general, cats HATE going to the vet! Matter of fact, this might be the number one reason why less than 48 % of cat owners take their pet in for the needed once yearly visit. Couple this with the fact that cats are experts at disguising most illness – most owners falsely believe that if they “look” OK they “ARE” OK.  So why go through the hassle of wrangling them to get them in the carrier, deal with the incessant yowling on the car ride and make their best buddy have a near panic attack just to be told……“(S)He’s in GREAT shape!!!”??? Well, because……..CATS ARE EXPERTS AT DISGUISING MOST ILLNESS………when you finally “notice” that they are acting weird, sometimes it’s too late for the vet to be able to help them.

Even more important than the physical examination that your veterinarian will do on your fluffy friend is the annual laboratory testing that they will recommend that you have done.  Usually starting around the age of three, a full blood panel, fecal and urine analysis needs to be done to completely check your cat for hidden disease conditions.  If the results come back “normal”, this is cause to CELEBRATE!!!! Over your cat’s lifetime, these yearly test results will provide a baseline for the doctor to compare future values to and be able to catch any illness in the earliest stages……and hopefully be able to DO something about it.

So, despite your cat HATING the vet, it is vitally important that you take them for a visit EVERY YEAR! Believe it or not, this endeavour does not have to be so awfully scary…..for EITHER of you! With just a few easy changes, some forethought and planning, both you and your cat will be more relaxed and never have such a traumatic experience again!

1.       Don’t Go On A Saturday!  – what is implied here is that there are certain times in veterinary offices that are SUPER busy – ie. NOISY barking dogs, tons of people and other pets in the lobby, the staff is in more of a hurry than normal – if possible, AVOID making an appointment at these times!! Most vet hospitals have an ebb and flow about their appointment times….when you call, ask the receptionist if you can come when the atmosphere tends to be slower/quieter…….they should be able to schedule you a time that will be way more enjoyable for you and your cat. Tell them your goal is for this to be a “fear free” experience for kitty and you are hoping they can facilitate that…..they will know EXACTLY what you are talking about!!!!

2.       Get An “Open Concept” Carrier – once you have successfully stuffed your cat into the carrier, it’s no surprise that they are hesitant to come out again…….especially after a bumpy car ride that landed them in a strange, loud, funny smelling place!!!!! It is not unusual for them to resist “extraction” at all costs – using all four legs to brace themselves against the walls and cling to the inside of their carriers for dear life. No amount of coaxing, dumping or rattling the box will get them to come out!!! Soft sided carriers and one piece molded/plastic style carriers make it even easier for them to “hold their ground”! But, with a top loading , clam-shell style carrier, the experience can be completely different for everyone involved. Most cats being quite content to hunker down inside the carrier, they will typically be super cooperative and stay put even when the top is removed. For the most part, the entire visit can be accomplished with them sitting inside of the bottom half. They can be weighed in there, they can have their nails cut in there, they can even have their temperature taken in there. The full physical exam can be done and they might even allow the veterinary team to obtain the needed blood and urine samples while they sit quietly in their “happy place”.  Amazingly, simply switching carrier styles can be a GAME CHANGER in the goal of a fear free visit for your friend!

3.       Natural Products that Actually Work! – the pet market is flooded with all kinds of remedies that claim to calm nervous animals down….some work……most don’t.  Below are a few products that the author has personal experience with and feels worth incorporating into the plan to help your cat be more relaxed for their visit.

a.       Feliway Spray: cats are have a strong “fight or flight” response in stressful situations. Feliway contains pheromones that tell their central nervous system to quiet down and be less reactive. This product can be misted on the inside of the carrier or on a towel/blanket that is then placed inside the carrier……..never spray it directly onto your cat!!! It also comes in a diffuser form that can be plugged in at home a few days before the planned visit. Bring it with you and it can be plugged into the electrical outlet inside of the vet office exam room when you arrive for your appointment.

b.      Sentry Calming Collar: same concept as above in a collar form! It is best to put the collar on your cat about a week before the planned visit.

c.       Composure Chews or Liquid: a combination of natural ingredients that promote balanced emotion and helps alleviate stress. These products should be started at least a week prior to the visit And can be continued afterwards for daily health and well-being.

4.       A Little “happy pill” Helps Too!! – there are several different medications that your veterinarian can prescribe for you to give your kitty that (when combined with all of the above recommendations) will make your next vet visit a breeze! Depending on the temperament, age, breed and general health of your friend, the options range from a full strength sedative to just a light dose of a short acting anxiety reliever. Be sure to call several days ahead of your appointment to request the prescription be filled.

Implementing even just a few of these suggestions WILL make a HUGE difference in the experience you and your cat have on your next trip to the veterinary office. Incorporate them ALL and you will be amazed and astounded at how EASY and FEAR FREE it can be for BOTH of you to go to the vet!