Fear Free Starts at Home

Last week we discussed how the staff at the Cat Clinic utilize Fear Free principles to improve your cat's visit to the vet. But did you know there is a lot YOU can do at home before your visit to minimize your cat's stress and anxiety?

Here are 5 tips that you can try to help your cat have a much better veterinary experience:

1. Acclimate your cat to their carrier. Most cats only see their carrier when something stressful is about to happen. Instead, keep your carrier out in the house all the time, ideally with a comfortable blanket inside. Place catnip or yummy treats inside to encourage your cat to explore the carrier and become familiar with it. Even better, occasionally make the carrier part of your regular playtime with your cat.  This will let your cat associate the carrier with a positive experience. Next time you need to load them into the carrier, they will be less averse to it because it will be a familiar space.
2. Get the right carrier. Not all cat carriers are created equal. The best carriers are hard-sided so that your cat feels secure inside. It should be large enough so that your cat can stand up inside and turn around easily. The best carriers will also open from the top, or the top can be easily removed, so that the vet staff can access your cat without reaching inside or dumping your cat out in a truly undignified manner.
3. Make the car ride better. When it’s time to put the carrier in the car, make sure to place it below the level of the windows to minimize car sickness. Fasten the carrier into the floor or seat very securely so your cat feels safe and is not jostled around. Keep your windows closed to minimize street noise and make sure to keep the radio at a reasonable volume so as not to assault your cat’s sensitive hearing. A spray of Feliway facial pheromone into the carrier or the car prior to loading your cat can also help lower their stress during travel.
4. Bring your cat hungry.  One way that we try to minimize stress to our patients is to distract them with food during more offensive procedures. Some cats are much more willing to accept vaccination or venipuncture if there is a tasty treat to focus on! You can help by not feeding your cat their full meal prior to traveling to the clinic. A hungry cat is much more likely to be distracted than one with a full stomach. If you have a picky eater, bring some of your cat's favorite treats to distract or reward them during their appointment.
5. Sometimes medications are in order. Despite owners commitment to the above steps, some cats will still exhibit a high level of fear and anxiety associated with their vet visit. Luckily, there are very safe and effective medications that can improve your cat’s experience without risking their health. If your cat gets sick in the car, acts very fearful in the clinic, or even becomes aggressive with the vet staff, talk to you veterinarian about medications you can give at home prior to travelling to the clinic.

Hopefully these tips will help make you and your cat’s next visit to the veterinarian a much better experience. Remember, it is important to have your cat examined by a veterinarian at least once a year to identify any potential illnesses or concerning trends before they develop into a major issue.