As a predatory and a prey species, domestic cats have unique needs that are disrupted by all aspects of the veterinary visit, leading to protective emotions such as fear-anxiety, pain, and frustration. At Rising Sun Animal Hospital, we want to create a feline-friendly veterinary environment which minimizes the cat’s protective emotions and improves the experience for the cat, the owner, and the veterinary team.
Creating a fear-free environment for your cat’s visit to the vet starts at home!
When transporting your feline, you want a carrier that is made of solid, easy-to-clean material with 2 exits/entrances and a removable top lid. Make sure the carrier is stored in a clean, dry environment and is free of debris.
Bring the carrier into your cat’s living space to allow your cat to become familiar and comfortable with it. Place a familiar blanket or bedding into the carrier to make your pet feel more responsible. You can place treats or food in the carrier to make it a more positive experience for your cat. The carrier should always be a part of your cat’s day-to-day environment, offering them a safe space to rest. The front door to the carrier should be left open.
To watch a helpful video on carrier training, please see: Cat carrier training Part 1 (youtube.com)
Avoid physically struggling with getting your cat into the carrier. The bedding and the carrier itself can be sprayed with a synthetic feline pheromone 15 minutes before the cat enters the carrier for travel.
Unless you have been instructed by your veterinarian to fast your cat for a procedure or the appointment, please feed your cat at least 3 hours prior to their appointment so they are not nauseated during the car ride.
After your feline is in the carrier, carry the carrier to keep it as stable as possible. Placing a hand underneath the bottom of the carrier and the other hand holding the handle is the best way to keep it stable. For older felines, make sure a blanket or bedding is present to prevent your pet from slipping and sliding while in the carrier.
Keep your car at a comfortable temperature, not too hot and not too cold. Minimize noise, no loud music or loud talking/screaming in the car. Eliminate strong scents that can affect a cat’s ability to monitor for predators.
Your feline may respond to traveling in the car with vocal distress, nausea/vomiting, urination, defecation, or self-injury. If this is the case, the veterinarian may be able to prescribe anti-anxiety medication that you can give your cat before leaving the appointment. These medications can help reduce your cat’s stress associated with the carrier and travelling. If you are worried about the effects of the medications, please ask your veterinary team to explain what they are, their safety, and how they will effect and benefit your cat. Your veterinary team at Rising Sun Animal Hospital will direct you when to give your cat the medications. Your veterinarian may also prescribe anti-nausea medications.
Once at Rising Sun Animal Hospital, you and your feline will be taken to our feline-only exam room. We recommend placing your feline while in the carrier on the elevated platform provided in the exam room. Elevated carriers reduce the cat’s sense of vulnerability to predators. A diffuser containing a synthetic feline pheromone spray will be present in the feline exam room. Once your veterinary team is in the room, feel free to open the carrier door to allow your feline to explore the exam room to feel safer. If your cat doesn’t want to leave the carrier, that is okay. Our veterinary team can examine your pet in the carrier if your cat feels safer that way by just removing the top lid and front carrier door. If your feline doesn’t have food allergies, our veterinary team will offer your pet food/treats to help encourage a pleasant veterinary visit.
If your feline patient is still stressed for their examination or diagnostics despite making all of these changes, your veterinarian may recommend sedation for the safety of your pet and the veterinary team. If you are worried about the effects of sedation, please ask your veterinary team to explain what type of sedation will be used, their safety, and how they will affect and benefit your cat. Your veterinary team at Rising Sun Animal Hospital will present you with an estimate for sedation and diagnostics before performing anything else with your pet.
Here at Rising Sun Animal Hospital, we are thrilled to be a part of your feline’s care. We strive to make it as stress-free as possible for your feline.