By Aisling O’Donoghue RVN, Clare Street Vets, Limerick
Sadly many owners feel so stressed about getting their cat to the vet that they skip vet visits entirely. This means their cat is not getting the preventative health care that they need. And conditions are being let go too far and what can be an easy fix initially, can then become more complicated and even more costly. Thankfully there is lots you can do to make the trip to the vets a more positive experience.
1. First of all, start ’em young!
Get your kitten acclimatised to their carrier early by making it a pleasant place for them to be. Keep it in the room they spend the most time in, and take the door off. Line it with a nice blanket and chuck treats in there regularly to entice them in, feed them in it occasionally. You can take these steps with an adult cat, too. the process will just take a little longer.
2. Make sure your cat carrier is big enough to ensure a comfortable ride for your cat. Most of the cat carriers sold in pet shops are only kitten-sized. Your cat should be able to turn around inside the carrier.
3. Consider using ‘Feliway travel spray’ to spritz the interior of the carrier about fifteen minutes before use. It has a great calming effect and is completely natural. https://www.feliway.com/uk/Products/FELIWAY-CLASSIC-Spray.
4. Secure the carrier in the car so it doesn’t rock and roll. You can pass the seat belt through the handle or fix it securely with a cushion in the seat well.
5. And drive slowly, its not a rally race to the vet! Slow down take the corners gently, and slow over speed bumps and avoid pot holes if at all possible.
6. Gradually build up to a vet visit by first just having the cat in the carrier for a few minutes, and then progressing to taking them out to the car. From there you can start to take them for very short trips around the block before you take them on a longer trip to the vet practice.
These are all things you can do to help ensure your pet arrives to the vets calm in the first place.
7. At the vets, don’t leave your cat on the floor at reception where passing feet and nosy dogs will stress them out. They feel very vulnerable there.
8. This is where we step in – at Rockhall Veterinary we are very proud of our cat-friendly approach. At reception we’ll offer you a blanket to cover your carrier and an elevated spot to put it while you wait. In Clare Street Vets we have custom built Cat Cubbies to place your carrier, so they are up at a height, covered and feel more secure. These Cat Cubbies will be coming very soon to Henry Street Vets.
Our cat cubbies at Clare Street Vets, Limerick9. We also use a system of SMART booking a try an avoid booking in cats at the same time as lots of big dogs or known ‘barkers’. This isn’t always perfect as emergencies will arise or people will only be able to come at certain times, but we do try and accommodate ‘quieter’ clinic times where we can.
10. We will be quiet, gentle and slow when handling your cat in the exam room. And we try methods such as Cat burritos and cat bags rather than rough restraining. And often we will recommend ‘calming’ medications for the very distressed kitty before their visit or even sedation at the time of their visit. Whichever option is best for you cat. We have calming Feliway diffusers in the consulting rooms and hospitalisation area and your cat will always be treated with kindness and respect.
The Feliway & Adaptil Diffusers in our Wards.For more information on our cat friendly approach please contact us for our clinic leaflet.
www.rockhallveterinary.ie.
info@clarestreetvets.ie, info@shannonvets.ie & info@henrystreetvets.ie.