Like many humans, cats aren't fond of doctor visits and they're frequently prone to agitation and stress.. Confronted with many new sites, sounds and situations, our cats are thrust into uncomfortable and unfamiliar situations that might make any creature stress out. Unfortunately the result of such a predicament may range from the simply uncomfortable to the downright dangerous. Even if it's just experiencing difficulty in getting your cat into its carrier, or something more severe like the biting and scratching normally displayed by a cornered animal, it's clear that both the and the cat want to avert a situation like this. Consequently, let's consider four guidelines to prevent such a feline freakout.
Limit Commotion
As anyone that is familiar with cats can understand that cats don't like dramatic change so it's important to address your visit to the vet with a strategy to minimize chaos. That's why it's cognizant of plan for your trip before the day arrives. First, you ought to find a safe and secure method of getting your pet to the doctor, so purchasing a correctly sized cat carrier is a must. Second, finding a doctor that either deals with cats exclusively or has a waiting room that segregates cats and dogs can be crucial to setting your cat at ease. Finally, familiarizing your cat with the method in which clinic staff may handle it can 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 an important step in minimizing chaos and discomfort.
Make Your Cat Relaxed
Everyone is more relaxed and compliant when in comfortable surroundings, so when it's time to go to the doctor a correctly-sized cat crate is a necessity for any caring cat owner. Generally affordable, a hard plastic cat carrier should be well ventilated and have enough space for your pet to comfortably stand up and turn around. In addition to keeping your pet's carrier clean, it can often help to place a favorite blanket and a toy inside the carrier to offer calming smells of home. Lastly, keep your cat carrier out and ready so that you're pet can routinely use it as a place to rest, since that familiarity will reduce any stress associated with the crate itself. Certainly, 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 shortest of car rides can set your cat off into a ball of panic long before you arrive at the vet. Car travel is an overpowering sensory assault to cats, because they will be bombarded by many new auditory, visual, olfactory and tactile stimuli where there's little time to get accustomed to the experience. To prevent a bad experience with car travel, familiarizing your cat with it before the veterinary appointment is a sound approach. Starting gradually at first, putting the cat in its crate and going for short car rides around town will avoid any negative associations with car travel from being created. As soon as your cat is used to car travel, it's unlikely to be a problem when it comes time for a veterinary visit.
Practice, Practice, Practice
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
As anyone that is familiar with cats can understand that cats don't like dramatic change so it's important to address your visit to the vet with a strategy to minimize chaos. That's why it's cognizant of plan for your trip before the day arrives. First, you ought to find a safe and secure method of getting your pet to the doctor, so purchasing a correctly sized cat carrier is a must. Second, finding a doctor that either deals with cats exclusively or has a waiting room that segregates cats and dogs can be crucial to setting your cat at ease. Finally, familiarizing your cat with the method in which clinic staff may handle it can 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 an important step in minimizing chaos and discomfort.
Make Your Cat Relaxed
Everyone is more relaxed and compliant when in comfortable surroundings, so when it's time to go to the doctor a correctly-sized cat crate is a necessity for any caring cat owner. Generally affordable, a hard plastic cat carrier should be well ventilated and have enough space for your pet to comfortably stand up and turn around. In addition to keeping your pet's carrier clean, it can often help to place a favorite blanket and a toy inside the carrier to offer calming smells of home. Lastly, keep your cat carrier out and ready so that you're pet can routinely use it as a place to rest, since that familiarity will reduce any stress associated with the crate itself. Certainly, 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 shortest of car rides can set your cat off into a ball of panic long before you arrive at the vet. Car travel is an overpowering sensory assault to cats, because they will be bombarded by many new auditory, visual, olfactory and tactile stimuli where there's little time to get accustomed to the experience. To prevent a bad experience with car travel, familiarizing your cat with it before the veterinary appointment is a sound approach. Starting gradually at first, putting the cat in its crate and going for short car rides around town will avoid any negative associations with car travel from being created. As soon as your cat is used to car travel, it's unlikely to be a problem when it comes time for a veterinary visit.
Practice, Practice, Practice
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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