7.8.2024
Admittedly, very few cats love going to the vet. When their routine and environment are changed, our cats can experience stress and anxiety. The first step is to recognize the physical expression of these emotions in our feline companions:
- Dilated pupils
- Ears facing backwards
- Hypersalivation
- Gasps
- Vocalizations
- Tremors
- Excessive hair loss
- Try to hide
- Inappropriate disposals (urine, stools)
- Growls, screams, and aggressive behaviors
Some signals are much more subtle than others, so it is essential to observe your cat and body language carefully. Here are some tips that can make the clinic experience more enjoyable for your cat and for you.
It is always recommended that you move your cat in a carrier and not in your arms. Each feline is unpredictable and it could encounter another animal that would make it react and maybe take a break. In addition, the carrier will be a reassuring little hiding place for him.
The ideal carrier should meet the following criteria:
- It's sturdy.
- It is equipped with a removable lid which allows you to examine the animal when it does not want to leave its carrier.
- It is big enough for the animal to stand up and turn around.
- When transporting, it is recommended to put a light blanket or sheet with the smells of the house on the carrier.
* Tip *: Take note of the weight of your carrier when it is empty. So, if your cat does not want to leave its carrier during the visit, we can weigh it in its carrier and deduct its weight in this way.
Is your cat hiding from the simple sight of the carrier? Most owners take out the carrier only when they go to the vet. The cat therefore associates the transport cage with its (often stressful) experience in the hospital.
In order to change this answer, we recommend that you take the carrier out a few days before the appointment date. This simple gesture will allow your companion to tame him before D-Day. You can also put some of his favorite treats on it to invite him to enter the carrier of his own free will, without closing the cage door. Some people even leave the carrier out at all times, becoming a favorite hiding place for cats!
It is well known that cats love to be high up. They thus have a better visibility of possible dangers and this gives them a feeling of safety. To reassure them, it is therefore recommended to place the carrier on a chair in the waiting room rather than on the ground.
Can't your cat resist some treats or a canned meal? Take the opportunity to give it to him during the consultation to make the experience pleasant for him.
If he is not the very greedy type, you can entertain him with his favorite toys or with catnip.
Cats use pheromones, a type of olfactory chemical communication, to interact with each other and with the world around them. There are synthetic pheromones (Feliway©) that reproduce these reassuring markers and thus help felines adapt to changes.
- Clean your cat's carrier thoroughly.
- Spray Feliway© into the cage. Apply one spray to each corner of the cage and two sprays to the floor and ceiling.
- Wait at least 15 minutes before putting your cat inside the carrier until the alcohol smell disappears.
Other natural products available over the counter (Zylkene©, Biocalm©) can also have a soothing effect on your animal. They are safe and have no side effects. Discuss this with members of our veterinary team before your next visit.
Your cat can sense your stress level. Maintaining a positive attitude can help limit your pet's anxiety!
Feel free to talk to our team members about your cat's usual temperament, whether shy, relaxed, or aggressive. We will thus be able to help you improve the well-being of your animal during its visits to the clinic.
