Providing good health care, especially preventative care can allow your cats to live longer happy lives. This can only happen if your cat is seen too properly by a veterinarian. Many cats dislike going to the vet and it all starts with getting your little feline friend into the carrier. By making this step easier, the entire visit is usually less stressful.
Understand your cat’s behaviour:
These are important to remember about your cat’s behaviour:
- Cats are comfortable with familiar environments and need time to become familiar with new situations, people, and places.
- Stay calm. Cats know when they are anxious and frustrated and this can make them fearful or anxious.
- Cats do not learn from punishment or force. Always give rewards and encourage positive behaviour.
How to make your cat comfortable with the carrier
The goal is for your cat to associate the carrier with positive experiences and routinely enter voluntarily. Follow these simple rules to help acquaint your cat to the carrier:
- Make the carrier familiar by leaving it in a room where your cat spends a lot of time.
- Place familiar bedding and your clothing with your scent in the carrier so they feel more secure when inside.
- Place treats, catnip, or toys in the carrier.
- It can take days or weeks before your cat trusts the carrier. Remain calm and patient and reward desired behaviour.
- If you are still having trouble with getting your cat into the carrier reassess which carrier your using
8 quick steps to getting your cat to the vet
In a situation when your cat needs to go to the vet right away but is not accustomed to the carrier, the following can help:
- Start by putting the carrier in a small room with no hiding places.
- Bring your cat into the room and close the door.
- Move slowly and calmly. Do not chase the cat to get it into the carrier.
- Encourage your cat first with treats or toys to walk into the carrier.
- If your cat does not walk into the carrier and your carrier has an opening on top, gently cradle and lower it into the carrier.
- Another option is to remove the top half of your carrier while getting the cat to go into the bottom half, then replace the top.
- Use familiar bedding.
- Consider using synthetic feline facial Pheromone (Feliway) analogue spray at least 30 minutes prior to transport to help calm your cat
What is the best carrier?
The best carriers are inexpensive hard-sided carriers that open from the top and the front and can be taken apart in the middle. Choose carriers that are sturdy, secure, stable for your cat and easy for you to carry.
Book an appointment for your pet at The Pet Practice.