Did you know that there are more cats in American homes than dogs, but far more dogs see their vets than cats? Is that because cats are healthier than dogs? Not at all – they’re just better at hiding illness than dogs, and too many cats are terrified of their carriers so their owners skip the yearly preventative care visits because they don’t want to stress their cats. So, here are some ways to make those important yearly vet visits easier on you and your feline friend. 

• Get the carrier out EARLY – and that means days early, not hours, so your cat can explore and get comfortable. Leave the door open. For cats who are already afraid of the carrier this may need to be a month in advance – or better yet, leave the carrier accessible permanently. Place it in a calm spot in the house where your cat likes to go.
• Make the carrier a welcoming spot: place a cat bed or towel inside and throw treats in there regularly to make the interior more inviting.
• Spray feline facial pheromones (such as Feliway) into the carrier 30 minutes before the time you need to close your cat in the carrier. These decrease fear and anxiety.
• For cats who still won’t walk into the carrier on their own, try the “superman” hold to place them into the carrier: place the carrier on a counter, use one hand to cover your cat’s eyes, and then gently guide the front legs and head into the carrier with your other hand while using your body to push the back end of your cat forward.
• Cover the carrier with a towel or blanket when you’re on the move. Most cats are more comfortable in the dark than when faced with unfamiliar sights along the road and in the clinic.
• Handle the carrier gently – whenever possible, carry your cat’s carrier from the bottom, close to your body. This will give your cat the smoothest ride.
• Go on mock trips – a quick ride around the block and back home will show your cat that not all car rides end up in scary places. You can slowly acclimate your cat to longer rides over time.
• Once at the Montgomery Animal Hospital, we’ll do our job to try to keep your cat calm and relaxed. This includes getting you into a private room as quickly as possible, so your cat can explore and come out of the carrier on his or her own time. 

Don’t let fear stop your cat from getting the care he or she needs. We can also prescribe anti-anxiety medications if needed – give us a call and we’ll create a plan for your feline friend.

Photo credit: Rob Marquardt www.flickr.com