 For many cats and their owners, a trip to the vet is a stressful experience. According to a 2013 survey, 44.9% of cat owners did not take their cats to the vet the previous year. One of the reasons cited was that owners believed their cats, especially indoor cats, became stressed when leaving their home environment. Does this sound like your feline friend? It is vitally important that your cat receives regular veterinary care throughout their lifetime. Recently veterinary medicine has begun to understand the implications stress can have on them. The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), as well as experts in the field of feline behavior, have created a set of guidelines for veterinary practices to follow. These guidelines are meant to help alleviate stress. As a team, you and your veterinary professionals can help make your cat's visits less fearful, ensuring thorough exams. In order to achieve this, try these simple tips at home to help you and your cat have a more enjoyable visit. Prior to your appointment: At least 1 week prior to your appointment, pull out your cat’s carrier and place it somewhere your cat spends his or her time (experts recommend leaving the carrier out all the time so as to minimize fear). Leave the door to the carrier open, or take the top off, and place a soft blanket inside. Use calming or pheromone products, such as Feliway, to make it more pleasing for the cat. If they are afraid of the carrier, consider feeding your cat nearby or inside the carrier in order to make more positive associations with it. Also turn on the radio at regular intervals. Studies have shown cats respond well to classical or soft pop music. There is also a CD called Through A Cat’s Ear available online that studies have shown relaxes cats. Day of your appointment: Do not feed your cat prior to leaving for the vet. Some cats may become nauseous from the car ride and a big breakfast will only make them feel worse. Also, we like to use treats as rewards to make the visit a more positive experience. When it is time to leave for your appointment, start the car in order to get it to a comfortable temperature. Turn the radio on to soothing music, preferably the kind of music you have played at home. Place treats or toys in the carrier and place your cat inside. Place a towel over the carrier. Again, using pheromone products can be helpful as you can spray the towel and your car. When you place your cat in the car, be sure the carrier faces the back of the seat. Keep the towel over the carrier to minimize stressful stimuli. While driving to the vet, try not to talk to your cat. Many will meow loudly, but experts say it is better not to reinforce the fear. When you arrive at the vet, check with the front desk if there are any potential stressors in the front lobby (you can call them or run in to check). When ready, carry the carrier from underneath, not by the handle, to ensure stability. If you have to wait in the lobby, place the carrier on a high surface (a bench or counter-top). The towel should be kept over the carrier the entire time. Once in the exam room, open the carrier and encourage your cat to explore the room. Use toys or treats to help them relax before the veterinary staff comes in. We at Hillside Animal Hospital strive to provide the best possible veterinary care. If your cat is stressed by the time he or she enters the hospital, it will decrease the likelihood of us being able to provide proper care. Anything that can keep them calm prior to walking in our doors will pay off in the long run. If you have any questions, please call our office at 314-645-2141.
79 Comments
1/25/2017 08:03:45 pm
I didn't know that a cat can feel nauseous from the car ride. If I was taking my cat to the vet then I would want to feel as calm as possible and as healthy as possible. You might want to look at some of the risks of travel for you pet. 5/1/2017 10:02:13 am
I like that you mentioned to get your cat comfortable with the carrier early so it won't be a hassle to get her in when you need to leave. My wife and I just got a cat, and we need to make sure we can take her to the vet without incident. I will definitely start the process of getting her acclimated to the carrier soon. 6/29/2017 11:36:28 am
I like that you mentioned to not feed your cat before going to the vet. It makes sense that they would respond better to treats once there. I am trying to find ways to make my vet visits easier, because my cat is difficult. I will be sure to give this a try. 10/12/2017 05:32:38 pm
Recently, my fiance and I had to find an affordable cat vet when we moved into a new neighborhood. Our cat is not always relaxed and can be stressed out easily at the veterinarians. We will consider these tips like using toys to make our kitty comfortable in the office. 10/24/2017 03:06:27 am
I did not know that I should not feed my at before we leave for the vet! I've just got a new cute kitty, and today I've noticed that she is feeling sick and not playful at all! I believe I should find a vet for her as soon as possible so that she is happy and healthy again. I will make sure not to give her any food before she is inspected properly! 3/13/2018 05:16:28 pm
I like your advice on keeping your cats stomach empty for the car ride and vet visit. My two cats love to eat and this will be important to remember. Maybe I will put their food away the night before. 4/9/2018 11:32:10 am
I liked that you mentioned keeping the carrier open and out all the time to minimize fear. I have a cat who loves roaming around directly outside our house, but once you try to get her into the car, it can be a disaster. After reading this, I think that it might be best to start doing something like this to prevent any of these problems int he future. 4/10/2018 06:17:17 pm
I didn't realize that pets just like people might need regular check-ups at the veterinarian. I am thinking of getting a cat for my kids but I think that we need to do some more research first. We would also need to find a good vet in the area so I think I will ask friends and neighbors who have pets for advice and recommendations. 4/26/2018 01:03:28 am
I like that you talked about not feeding the cat before the visit so that they will accept the treats that will have a positive effect on their vet experience. My sister is going to bring her cat to a vet this week for a checkup since the cat is vomiting often times. I am grateful for your tips about getting the animal ready for a checkup. Thanks! 5/4/2018 03:55:04 pm
I like how you point out that you should leave your carrier out with some soft blankets and things so that your cat will get used to it. My cat, Sabine, has recently been limping, and I think she got hurt pretty bad in a fight. I'll have to set the carrier out and find a vet clinic that I could take her to and get her leg checked. 5/10/2018 09:08:27 am
Thanks for these tips for a good cat visit to the vet. I'm glad you explained you should try take the carrier out so the cat can get use to it. You said to put it somewhere they like to spend time, and I wonder if you can also try to make it a place where they will be comfortable in. 6/5/2018 09:23:44 pm
It's great that you compiled this article on things you can do for a happy cat visit to the vet, it taught me a lot. I never thought about putting the cat carrier out long before your appointment, I'd imagine it can help get them used to the carrier. My sister just got a kitten and she needs to take it to the vet soon, I will be sure to share these tips with her. 6/6/2018 12:40:27 pm
I like the idea of putting your cat's carrier in a place where your cat spend a lot of time. This can get your cat more familiar and comfortable with it. Once it's time to get in the carrier for the vet visit, it won't be as scary for them. 6/20/2018 02:21:48 pm
Thanks for the tip to get your pet carrier out a week ahead of the vet visit so you pet gets accustomed to it. My friend recently adopted a dog, but he really dislikes the vet. I'll share this tip with my friend, so she can get him in his carrier more easily. Recently my family has moved and I wanted to look for a good veterinarian. I really appreciated how this article talked about how it's important that your cat receives regular veterinary care throughout their lifetime. I will have to keep this in mind and bring them to the vet more often. 6/25/2018 06:48:31 pm
Thanks for the tip about leaving the carrier out and open while even putting a blanket in it to help your cat not be afraid of it so they won't be scared when you transport them to the vet. We have a Calico and she's been sick lately so we've been thinking about taking her to a veterinarian. While we look for a vet to go to, we'll have to leaver her carrier out so she will be comfortable in it when we transport her. 6/27/2018 10:34:52 pm
I agree that the day of the appointment is important when visiting the vet. FInding a time that is less stressful for you would probably help it be less stressful for your cat. I'm trying to find a vet for my cat, so I'll have to consider when would be less stressful to go. 7/11/2018 10:00:14 pm
It was informative when you mentioned not feeding the cat on the day of the vet visit as they become nauseous from the car ride and having a full stomach will only make their feeling worse. My pet Twittle is actually suffering from an upset stomach, so I am pretty sure that even without the car ride, she is already dizzy. I will remind myself not to feed her anything before I take her to the vet. Actually, it might be better if I walk her there to ease her pain a little bit. Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it. I never knew that at least 1 week prior to your vet appointment, pull out your cat’s carrier and place it somewhere your cat spends his or her time so she can get used to it. I have to take my cat to the vet next week! Thank you for all the tips on keeping cats happy at the veterinarian's. 8/9/2018 10:59:32 am
Thanks for these tips for a good cat visit. I'm glad you mentioned that you should try to put out the cat carrier one week before the appointment so that the cat gets familiar with it. This seems helpful so the cat doesn't necessarily associate it with going to the vet. 8/12/2018 10:13:52 pm
Hi Carolyn, I'm grateful for your advice about getting my pets a good visit with a vet. It really helped when you said that we should not be feeding our pets before going to a vet clinic. I need to inform my son this because he's the "big dad" of our sweet cat! Have a cheerful day! 8/16/2018 06:58:50 pm
I was talking to a friend of mine the other day about going to a pet hospital. She has never gone before and wants to know beforehand what to expect. It may help her to know to look into not feeding her cat right before leaving. 8/22/2018 12:53:16 pm
Thanks for suggesting that we help our cat get familiar with the carrier by placing it in one of their favorite spots a week before the vet appointment. I never had a cat growing up but have always wanted one, so a few days ago I adopted one from our local shelter! I'll be taking her to the vet soon and was looking for tips to help the visit go as smoothly as possible. I'll definitely follow your advice and start acclimating her to her carrier now! 9/3/2018 04:16:51 am
An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers 9/10/2018 06:58:30 pm
I was talking with my sister a few days ago about her search for a 24-hour animal hospital. It may help her out to have some tips on what she can do to make things easier for her puppy's future appointment. Soothing music sounds like a great way to calm a nervous puppy down. 9/12/2018 08:59:23 am
I like how you suggested that at least 1 week prior to your appointment, pull out your cat’s carrier and place it somewhere your cat spends his or her time. I am taking my cat to the vet this week. Thanks for the tips on a happy veterinary visit for cats. I appreciate what you said about not feeding your cat prior to leaving for the vet. I think that contacting a reputable veterinary hospital that is mindful of these things is a great way to ensure the health of any animal. My wife and I are planning on adopting a cat, so we'll be sure to find a reliable vet hospital in our area. Before I read this article, I not once thought about playing soothing music in my car for the comfort of my dog. My wife and I are taking our dog in for a visit next week and this is great advice. I will be sure to have treats ready for my dog once we are ready to leave the pet hospital. 1/14/2019 07:29:12 pm
My sister has a new cat and wants to make sure that it's always healthy. It was explained here that when planning to go to a vet with a cat, it will be best to familiarize it with the carrier. Moreover, it's recommended to go to a trusted veterinarian for quality pet care. 1/14/2019 07:29:18 pm
My husband and I just bought a cat and we are needing to find the right vet to help us keep her healthy. I'm nervous about taking her to the best for the first time. Thank you for pointing out tat I should get her used to her carrier before any vet visits. I'll have to keep this in mind as I search for the best vet in our area. 1/16/2019 10:51:01 am
I really like your tip to pull out a carrier one week before an appointment so that your cat an get used to it before being taken to the vet. My cat is absolutely terrified of traveling, whether it is in a carrier or not, but if I can get him used to the carrier then it might make a trip to the vet easier. Having moved recently, I'm currently on the look out for a new vet I can go to, so I'll be sure to follow these tips when I find the right vet. 1/23/2019 04:55:14 pm
You've got great tips for a cat vet appointment. We're looking to find a new vet to take our cat to, so once we do, this will be helpful. I'll be sure to find a carrier and put it out, like you said. 2/11/2019 12:16:09 pm
I recently got a kitten so thanks for sharing this. I like your point about having your cat get used to being in their carrier before the appointment. I'll try to leave it out for him so he doesn't get afraid of it when the time comes. 2/11/2019 10:01:01 pm
I think it is great how the article talked about the vets using treats as rewards to make the visit a more positive experience for the animals. I have a two-year-old male cat that I have been considering taking to the vet for a routine check-up. He would be much more comfortable going to a vet that makes him feel loved and like he's at home. 2/12/2019 09:16:24 pm
Thanks for the tip about getting your cat used to the carrier before you actually take them to the vet. Finding ways to make your cat comfortable would probably make the day of your visit much easier. I need to take in my cat to be neutered soon, so I'll have to get him comfortable with the carrier first. 2/14/2019 11:38:34 am
I liked your suggestion to take out the carrier at least a week before the appointment. My husband and I have been wondering what we could do for our cat to make the trips easier on her. It would be interesting to see if this would make her more calm before taking her to the vet. 2/20/2019 02:30:56 pm
I really appreciate your tip to feed your cat near the veterinary clinic so they can associate it as a positive experience. My wife and I have been thinking of getting our son a cat so he can have more companionship, and we want to make sure that the cat has had all of its shots first. I will be sure to tell my wife that we should feed the cat when we get to the vet! 3/4/2019 06:04:17 pm
You've got great tips for a good vet visit. I like how you said that it's good to not feed our cat before an appointment. We're hoping to find a vet to take our cat to for a weird bump on her, so I'll remember that. 3/7/2019 11:30:00 am
I like how you mentioned that you shouldn't feed your cat right before going to the vet, because some cats can become nauseous from the car ride, and eating a lot of food before will make them feel worse. I recently just adopted my first cat, and have her first vet appointment coming up and I have no idea what I should do to prepare. I will definitely keep your extremely helpful tips in mind when preparing to take my cat to the vet! 3/14/2019 09:51:31 am
I thought it was interesting that you talked about taking the cat's carrier out a week before your appointment. My friend has been wondering what she could do to make it easier on her cat to take her to the vet. I think it would be interesting to see how this would work for her and it certainly wouldn't hurt to try it out. 4/1/2019 01:29:25 pm
I like your suggestion to let our cat acclimate to their carrier by placing it somewhere they spend a lot of time. My husband and I need to take our new cat to the vet soon, so I've been looking for any tips that might help. The steps you shared to help her get used to the carrier will be very helpful! 5/10/2019 01:35:56 pm
I like what you said about pulling out your cat's carrier about a week before the appointment. I think this could help ease the cat's nerves about being in the crate. I'll keep this tip in mind if I ever need to take a cat to the veterinarian. I found it interesting that you mentioned the importance of taking your pet to get check-ups and how to make it a good experience. Preventing diseases is very important to the longevity of your pet's life. I will ensure that I take my puppy in for checkups so that she is healthy and strong. 6/5/2019 10:17:56 am
It's true that my cat deserves regular veterinary care. I think I will pull out my cat's carrier this week while I find an animal hospital that we can go to for her first checkup. Since I don't want the trip to the vet to be difficult for her, I'll try to look for an animal hospital that has a relaxing environment so that she can feel at home there. 6/29/2019 01:49:31 pm
We just moved to a new area and are about due to bring in our cat, Priscilla, in for a checkup. I will follow your advice to give our cat all of her toys and play soft music so she stays comfortable on the way to the visit. I will also be sure to find a great animal hospital nearby that that can take care of her as well as we try to. 8/8/2019 12:40:25 pm
My cat needs an appointment I like how you mention one week before your cat's appointment place the carrier close to were it spends its time so it can get used to it. Thank you for the advice. I'll try this at home so when I carry her in the carrier to the vet she won't get scared. 8/8/2019 07:17:07 pm
My cat hasn't been acting normal for a few days. As you said here, it would be best to not feed them before going to the vet. That way, there would be no chance of anything happening to them during the visit. 8/14/2019 01:29:53 pm
It's good to know that you shouldn't feed your cat before taking them to the vet because they could get nauseous on the car ride. My wife has been telling me about how our cat has been vomiting a lot, and I think we should take it to the vet to get checked out. We'll be sure to avoid feeding it before we go so that it doesn't vomit in the car. 8/25/2019 01:30:02 am
That’s a great point that litter box issues might have an underlying medical issue. My cat has stopped going in the box so much and I assumed it was a behavioral problem, but now I will take her in to see the vet just to make sure it’s not some other health problem. 9/3/2019 01:29:19 pm
It's interesting to know that you need to make sure your cat does not fear his carrier to prevent vet visit problems. My sister adopted a cat recently, and we are looking for advice to help her vet visits. I will let her read this article to help him understand how to calm her cat prior to a vet visit. 9/18/2019 02:11:08 pm
My cat needs a check-up and I'm afraid she'll get nervous at her appointment. I like how you mention once in the exam room allow your cat to explore the room to help them relax before the veterinary staff comes in. Thank you for the information. I'll make sure to follow your advice on the day of her appointment. 10/2/2019 09:59:54 pm
My cat hasn't been feeling like themselves and I think I should take them to the vet. As you said here, I should not feed my cat on the day of the appointment. That way, there is no chance fo them puking on the way there or during any of the examinations. 10/8/2019 03:48:47 pm
It's interesting to know that it is recommended to not feed your cat prior to leaving for the vet. My husband and I adopted a cat recently, and we are looking for advice about his vet visits. I will make sure not to feed him before going to the vet's office to prevent accidents. 10/10/2019 11:03:21 am
I like your tip about placing your cat's carrier out in the open so that it can get used to it before going to the vet. My brother has been telling me about how he needs to take his cat to the vet. I'll share this information with him so that he can prepare his cat for a calm visit to the vet. 10/28/2019 12:31:18 pm
I'm glad you mentioned that we shouldn't feed out cat before we go to the vet. I need to find a vet to vaccinate my new pet cat. Following your tips should help the vet visit go as smoothly as possible! 2/13/2020 03:46:46 pm
My cousin just got a kitty for his kids but he has never had a cat before so he is thinking about how to take care of it. I like how you said that it is vitally important that your cat receives regular veterinary care. I will suggest to him to take it to a local vet to see if the cat needs any vaccines and to receive professional tips as well. 2/28/2020 11:07:57 am
It's good to know that you shouldn't feed your cat before the visit because they can get nauseous in the car. My husband and I just got a cat for our family last week, and we are going to be needing to find a vet for him so that he can be healthy. We'll make sure to keep this information in mind once we find a vet for him to see. 2/28/2020 04:16:02 pm
Thank you so much for the tip to put your cat in its carrier for a bit the week before, and put a soft blanket inside to help get them used to it. My roommate and I just adopted a cat named Momo and are looking for a Vet in High Point, NC for him. I'll try this out once we find a vet to help Momo get prepared. 3/19/2020 06:12:33 pm
You made a great point about preparing your carrier and how that can help your cat have a comfortable trip. My husband and I are looking for a veterinarian office that we can take our 3 cats to for their checkups. We will keep these tips in mind as we search for a professional that can help us best. 3/20/2020 08:14:50 am
I like what you said about putting your cat's carrier out a week before you take them to the vet. My sister has been telling me about how she wants to get her cat's teeth cleaned soon. I'll share this information with her so that she can look into her options for professionals who can help her with this. 5/23/2020 10:26:01 pm
I think your suggestion of having our cat's carrier out somewhere our cat spends her time can minimize the fear of visiting a vet. I have been having trouble getting my cat out of the house using the carrier and so I haven't brought her out to see a vet since I got her 1 month ago. I will definitely try out your method so that I can get her appointments up to date. 9/1/2020 11:06:49 pm
My cat has been vomiting for days, which is why I've decided to start looking for a veterinary service that may address this concern. Thank you for this reminder; I'll make sure to leave her carrier out all the time because according to you, this may reduce her fear when visiting the vet clinic. You're also right that it would be best to palce toys and treats in her carrier. 9/18/2020 08:22:50 am
I didn't realize that placing the cat carrier in a place the cat spends most of their time can help them become more comfortable with it. We need to take little Fluffy to the vet next week, and she has always been a little scared of the cat carrier. I will have to try this out, and see if it makes her more willing to go inside. 10/5/2020 12:02:51 am
You say NOT to talk to your cat on the car ride. Why is that? I live at least 40 minutes from my Vet clinic so I thought talking softly to him would calm him down not upset him more. 11/10/2020 03:02:44 am
Thank you for sharing the tip to not feed your cat prior to the appointment as it will get nauseous from the car ride and might vomit anytime. My sister just adopted a kitten from a friend and it is from a rare breed that is hard to be found anywhere in the state. I will suggest to her bringing it to a vet for vaccination but make sure to not feed it before leaving for the appointment. 11/17/2020 09:33:45 pm
Thank you for sharing these great tips on how we can ease our pet's anxieties when we take them to a veterinary hospital. My cats are due for a shot and she is not the biggest fan of going for pet visits. I will definitely follow your tip on encouraging her to explore the room and the sorts. The best way to prevent tartar build up is with regular brushing with pet friendly toothbrushes and toothpaste.THE LATEST @ HILLSIDE so there are dental chews and treats available that can reduce plaque and prevent tartar build up. If your pet already has significant tartar on their teeth we often recommend a dental scale and polish.Chronic gum infections harbor a lot of bacteria, which can affect your pet’s heart, liver and kidneys over time. 5/5/2021 04:57:25 pm
My uncle has been thinking about getting a cat because he wants to make sure that they can be really healthy. He would really like to get some help from a professional in order to make sure that they can be more healthy. I liked what you said about how the carrier should face the back of the seat which can minimize stressful stimuli as can putting a towel over the carrier. 7/9/2021 07:27:06 am
I want to thanks for your time for this wonderful Article!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post. 7/25/2021 10:50:05 am
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