Jane Harrell
Whether you bring your cat to the vet’s office - or have a vet come to your home, here are some easy steps you can take to keep your cat calm during an exam. Have you ever wondered how to keep your cat calm during a vet exam? Well, this article may help you.
- - Schedule your appointment during non-peak hours: If you’re bringing your cat to the clinic, “ask the clinic when the least-busy times are and schedule accordingly,” says Dr. V, small-animal veterinarian and writer of the blog Pawcurious. “The less you have to wait, the better.”
- - Find a vet who knows cats: Vets are people, too, and some can have varying levels of ease with cats. (After all, not everyone is a “dog” or “cat” person!com’s Veterinary Medicine column, suggests packing a goody bag with items such as treats, catnip and your cat’s favorite in order toys. You might even consider trying a cat-only clinic, for those who have one near by.
- - Bring things to distract your cat: Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM, who writes About.) Make sure you go to a vet that spends some time talking with and getting to know your cat before jumping to the exam. If your cat’s a hider, bring a towel that smells like home so she can have her head underneath it.
- - Practice at home: Many vets recommend practicing touching your cat at house the way your vet might during a basic exam. “When your cat is at home, relaxed and happy, look in his ears; open his mouth - gently and only if you are sure of how to do it; and handle his paws - even introducing a clipper and tapping on a claw - to help make these health-test basics less scary over time,” says Dr. Crosby.
- - Bring something soft for your cat to stand on: “Think about bringing a towel or yoga mat to put on the exam room table,” Dr. V says. “Vets like stainless steel because it is very easy to clean, but it’s also cold and slippery. Giving the cat something to grip may make a big difference.”
If you are a new cat owner, we encourage you to conduct additional research outside of this article. Read more: How Cigarette Smoke Affects Pets