Four Tips to Keep Your Cat Calm During Veterinary Visits

Routine exams help keep your cat healthy. They make it easier to identify problems before they become major issues. Despite the benefits, the entire process is often stressful for pets and their owners. Here are four ways to calm your cat for a more enjoyable veterinary office visit.

Take Your Cat for Frequent Rides

Unlike dogs, cats usually don't enjoy a spin around the block. Their less social behavior and need for structure make occasional car rides an unpleasant experience. To conquer this fear, try taking your cat for short drives a couple of times a week. This helps to familiarize pets with traveling so they don't automatically think a car ride indicates a trip to the vet.

Purchase a Comfortable Carrier

A cat carrier or crate helps provide a sense of security. You should never allow your pet to roam free while you are driving. The right sized crate should have enough space for the cat to comfortably stand and turn around. Once at the vet's office, a crate keeps other animals from coming into direct contact with your pet. Cats also appreciate this barrier because of the extra privacy it provides.

Try a Pheromones Spray

Pheromones are a chemical substance that cats secrete to communicate with each other. They are similar to hormones but instead affect the animal that comes into contact with them. When cats want to mark an object they view as familiar or friendly, they use pheromones produced in the cheek glands. Try spraying your cat's favorite blanket with pheromones spray before placing it into the carrier. This will have a positive calming effect, leaving your pet less anxious throughout the exam and while traveling.

Choose a Cat-Friendly Veterinarian

While most veterinarians offer feline care, you want a doctor that specializes in cats. This will ensure your pet receives the best care from a staff that truly understands common cat behaviors. Some veterinary offices, such as the Feline Medical Clinic in Vancouver, practice low stress handling techniques to help calm pets. The end result is a healthier, happier cat that is more receptive to human contact.

Taking your cat to the vet doesn't have to be a big ordeal. With a little preparation beforehand, you can minimize excess stress with these simple steps.