Prevent a Feline Freakout When Visiting the Vet
Much like many people, cats are not fond of doctor visits and they're regularly prone to stress and agitation. Exposed to many new sites, sounds and situations, our cats are thrust into unfamiliar and uncomfortable circumstances that would make any creature stress out. Sorry to say that the result of such a predicament can vary from the simply unpleasant to the downright dangerous. Even if it's simply experiencing difficulty in getting your cat into its carrier, or something more serious like the biting and scratching regularly displayed by a cornered animal, it's apparent that both the and the cat want to avoid a situation like this. Therefore, let's examine 4 suggestions to prevent such a feline freakout.
Limit Commotion
Anyone that is familiar with cats can understand that cats don't like dramatic change so it's vital to approach your visit to the vet with a plan to minimize chaos. That's why it's wise to plan for your trip before the day arrives. First, you should find a safe and secure method of getting your cat to the veterinarian, so purchasing a properly sized cat carrier is a must. Second, locating a doctor that either handles cats only or has a waiting room that separates dogs and cats can be crucial to setting your cat at ease. Finally, familiarizing your cat with the method in which veterinary staff may handle it will make the examination go more smoothly. While it's understandable that any cat would get distressed when taken from its familiar home, some advanced planning is a vital step in reducing chaos and discomfort.
Make Your Cat Relaxed
Everyone is more relaxed and agreeable when in comfortable surroundings, so when it's time to go to the veterinarian a properly-sized cat carrier is a requirement for any concerned cat owner. Normally affordable, a hard plastic cat carrier ought to be well ventilated and have enough room for your pet to comfortably get up and turn around. In addition to keeping your pet's carrier clean, it can usually help to place a well liked blanket and a toy inside the carrier to produce reassuring smells of home. Finally, keep your cat carrier out and available so that you're pet can regularly use it as a place to rest, since that familiarity will reduce any stress associated with the crate itself. Clearly, making your cat comfortable is a big part of avoiding a meltdown.
Familiarize Your Cat with Travel
Most house cats are unfamiliar with car travel, so even the quickest of car rides can set your pet off into a ball of panic well before you arrive at the veterinarian. Travel by car is an overpowering sensory assault to cats, since they will be swamped by many new auditory, visual, olfactory and tactile stimuli where there's little time to become accustomed to the experience. To avoid a bad experience with car travel, familiarizing your cat with it before the veterinary visit is a good approach. Starting gradually at first, putting the cat in its carrier and going for short car rides around town will prevent any negative associations with car travel from being created. As soon as your cat is familiar with car travel, it's unlikely to be an issue when it comes time for a veterinary visit.
Practice Makes the Difference
Practice makes perfect, even when it comes to attending a veterinary appointment, so going to the clinic before the day of your consultation will give both you and your cat a good idea of what to expect. Start by calling ahead to determine what times of the day may be most relaxed for a first time visitor; typically early mornings are best, but every clinic can be different. Next, ensure that you have all of the supplies necessary to keep your pet comfortable and that you've familiarized your cat with car travel. Finally, take some treats to reward your pet for good behavior. Even though your practice run may experience a few issues, at least you'll have a good idea of what to anticipate and what needs to be worked on in the future.
Limit Commotion
Anyone that is familiar with cats can understand that cats don't like dramatic change so it's vital to approach your visit to the vet with a plan to minimize chaos. That's why it's wise to plan for your trip before the day arrives. First, you should find a safe and secure method of getting your cat to the veterinarian, so purchasing a properly sized cat carrier is a must. Second, locating a doctor that either handles cats only or has a waiting room that separates dogs and cats can be crucial to setting your cat at ease. Finally, familiarizing your cat with the method in which veterinary staff may handle it will make the examination go more smoothly. While it's understandable that any cat would get distressed when taken from its familiar home, some advanced planning is a vital step in reducing chaos and discomfort.
Make Your Cat Relaxed
Everyone is more relaxed and agreeable when in comfortable surroundings, so when it's time to go to the veterinarian a properly-sized cat carrier is a requirement for any concerned cat owner. Normally affordable, a hard plastic cat carrier ought to be well ventilated and have enough room for your pet to comfortably get up and turn around. In addition to keeping your pet's carrier clean, it can usually help to place a well liked blanket and a toy inside the carrier to produce reassuring smells of home. Finally, keep your cat carrier out and available so that you're pet can regularly use it as a place to rest, since that familiarity will reduce any stress associated with the crate itself. Clearly, making your cat comfortable is a big part of avoiding a meltdown.
Familiarize Your Cat with Travel
Most house cats are unfamiliar with car travel, so even the quickest of car rides can set your pet off into a ball of panic well before you arrive at the veterinarian. Travel by car is an overpowering sensory assault to cats, since they will be swamped by many new auditory, visual, olfactory and tactile stimuli where there's little time to become accustomed to the experience. To avoid a bad experience with car travel, familiarizing your cat with it before the veterinary visit is a good approach. Starting gradually at first, putting the cat in its carrier and going for short car rides around town will prevent any negative associations with car travel from being created. As soon as your cat is familiar with car travel, it's unlikely to be an issue when it comes time for a veterinary visit.
Practice Makes the Difference
Practice makes perfect, even when it comes to attending a veterinary appointment, so going to the clinic before the day of your consultation will give both you and your cat a good idea of what to expect. Start by calling ahead to determine what times of the day may be most relaxed for a first time visitor; typically early mornings are best, but every clinic can be different. Next, ensure that you have all of the supplies necessary to keep your pet comfortable and that you've familiarized your cat with car travel. Finally, take some treats to reward your pet for good behavior. Even though your practice run may experience a few issues, at least you'll have a good idea of what to anticipate and what needs to be worked on in the future.
About the Author:
Regina T. Roby is a passionate cat owner that has survived innumerable problems with her group of curious cats including Paco, Bob & Mr. Jigglesworth. As a result, she's found cat insurance indispensable in restricting big medical bills and is a passionate proponent of pet insurance for every owner.
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