If there's one thing our feline friends hate more than anything else in the world, it's being poked and prodded by a vet. Whether it's an upset stomach in cats or a concern about a cat drinking a lot of water, there are lots of reasons why your kitty may need to be given a good looking over.
Unfortunately, while we pet parents are only ever doing what we feel is best for our beloved bundles of fluff, our cats often find vet visits incredibly stressful. Thankfully, expert behaviorist Tabitha Kucera has come to the rescue with a great Instagram post where she shares her top tips for helping to make those trips to the vet a whole lot less anxiety-inducing.
You can check out Kucera's Infographic below, or keep reading as we break down her seven tips for how to decrease stress at the vet for your cat.
Kucera was inspired to put together her Instagram post after trying out all the tips on her own kitty, Malt.
"The fact that going to the vet, administering medications, etc are not stressful is such a relief," she says. "We all worry about our animals but I don’t have to worry about fear and stress associated with vet visits, we can easily and happily get the diagnostics needed, and she loves taking medications at home. We have worked together to make all of these things less stressful for her and you can do this with your pets too!"
So, without further ado, here is what Kucera recommends based on her own experience with Malt:
1. Bring food: "Bring food items for them to eat off of (ice cream cones, long spoon, lickimat)"
2. Make travel low-stress: "We use a covered carrier with a Feliway towel to minimize visual stressful stimuli. We stay in the car until we can go directly into the exam room to avoid the possible stressors of a lobby."
3. Bring your cat's favorite treats, brush or toy: "We provide a treat she enjoys before, during, and after the vet visit."
4. Advocate for your cat: "My cats and I have a wonderful relationship with our vet and the clinic: they are aware of their triggers, painful areas, etc."
5. Don't rush: "Assess the cats body language and be flexible with handling techniques based on the cats individual preference. Allow the cat to maintain their chosen position and vary your touch based on their response."
6. Teach your cat cooperative care: "We have worked on cooperative care at home and in other environments. Everything is done in the room with me there."
7. Bring your cat's mat or their favorite bed: Their bed carries their scent as well as familiar smells from home, so having this on hand can be wonderful for soothing stress and anxiety.
If you find after applying the above tips that your cat still really struggles with visits to the vet, we recommend consulting with a professional behaviorist or speaking with your vet to get advice and guidance that's been specifically tailored to meet the needs of your feline friend.
Looking for more great kitty content? Then be sure to check out our guide to seven strange things cats do that are actually quite normal.
