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Give
your cat kinder, gentler veterinary
visits
Why care about your cat's
perception of a veterinary visit?
By taking proactive steps,
you can protect your cat
from experiencing physical
or emotional pain during a
visit to the veterinary
practice. Too hard?
Learn
more.
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Don't teach your
cat
that the veterinary practice
is a dungeon of terror.
Instead, make the veterinary
practice the cookie place
where fun things happen.
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What
to do
First, prepare in advance for the car ride to the veterinary office by
taking your cat in the car for short trips that don't end up at the veterinary
practice. Couple good behavior in the car with praise and treats.
Second, act
cheerful and calm around your cat when
getting into the car to go to the veterinarian and when entering the veterinary
office.
Third, make sure your cat is hungry.
Bring
your cat's favorite treats with you and use
treats and toys to keep
your cat's mind on you.
Fourth,
help
your cat to feel secure and comfortable by providing a
fluffy towel or favorite bed inside of a portable pet kennel.
Add incentives
Bring in a baggie of favorite treats and toys to the veterinary
office. Find out in advance what makes treats and toys make your
cat do tail flips. Cats are individuals. Test your cat's
attraction to cooked chicken, tuna fish, Cheez Whiz, and
commercial cat treats.
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Fast your cat the day of
veterinary visits
and bring in your cat's
favorite foods and treats. |
Use distractions
Let the veterinarian know you want to use treats and toys to
help distract your cat from any
.jpg) painful
or scary experience. If that's not possible, ask that your
cat be sedated so there is not a bad memory of the treatment. It
may cost more today but will be well worth it in the long run.
Ask
if vaccinations and minor treatments
can be done in the exam room so you
can help distract the cat.
Bring a big fluffy towel so you can hold your cat
burrito-style wrapped tightly inside the towel to
lower stress and help prevent escape. Just being able to
hide under a towel flap may lower your
cat's stress.
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"Helping you raise a fabulous feline
friend for life." |
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