Keep Your Cat Calm During a Vet Exam

Jane Harrell, Catfoodsite.com associate producer

Whether you bring your cat to the vet’s office – or have a vet come to your home, here are some easy steps you can take to keep your cat calm during an exam.

1. Find a vet who knows cats: Vets are people, too, and some can have varying levels of ease with cats. (After all, not everyone is a “dog” or “cat” person!) Make sure you go to a vet that spends some time talking with and getting to know your cat before jumping to the exam. You might even consider trying a cat-only clinic, should you have one near by.
2. Schedule your appointment during non-peak hours: If you’re bringing your cat to the clinic, “ask the clinic when the least-busy times are and schedule accordingly,” says Dr. V, small-animal veterinarian and writer of the blog Pawcurious. “The less you have in order to wait, the better.”

3. Bring something soft for your cat to stand on: “Think about bringing a towel or yoga mat to put on the exam room table,” Dr. V says. “Vets like stainless steel because it is very easy to clean, but it’s also cold and slippery. Giving the cat something to grip may make a big difference.”

4. Bring things to distract your cat: Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM, who writes About.com’s Veterinary Medicine column, suggests packing a goody bag with items such as treats, catnip and your cat’s favorite toys.) If your cat’s a hider, bring a towel that smells like home so she can have her head underneath it.

5. Practice at home: Many vets recommend practicing touching your cat at home the way your vet might during a basic exam. “When your cat is at home, relaxed and happy, look in his ears; open his mouth – gently and only if you are sure of how to do it; and handle his paws – even introducing a clipper and tapping on a claw – to help make these health-examination basics less scary over time,” says Dr. Crosby.

Wondering about Kidney Failure in Cats Introduction? Check it out on our latest post!

By Cat Food Site