As carers, keeping our cats healthy is a top priority. The earlier an illness is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat, so regular check-ups and examinations with the veterinary team will help your cat have a long and healthy life. Trying to avoid upsetting your cat, or causing them stress associated with a trip to the vet is understandable, but could harm your cat’s health.
Positive carrier experiences
Helping your cat associate the carrier with positive experiences will help them to feel comfortable with going to the vet.
- Put something warm, soft and familiar in the carrier for the cat to cuddle up in, such as a blanket they have been sleeping on.
- Synthetic feline pheromones can be sprayed into the carrier 15 minutes before travel.
- Drape a familiar-smelling towel or blanket over the carrier to help your cat feel safe and secure.
- If possible, provide a small and tasty food treat or some toys in the carrier.
- When moving the carrier, do not hold by the handle alone, as this could make the cat feel unsteady. Support the carrier underneath to keep it level and minimise movement.
Choosing the right cat carrier
It is important to choose a carrier that is safe and secure to avoid your cat escaping. However, there are other considerations too. Try to avoid soft fabric carriers, as these can collapse and are hard to keep clean, while ‘backpack’ style carriers can cause excessive movement . Carriers without removable tops or top openings make it more difficult for the veterinary team to examine the cat at the clinic. A sturdy plastic carrier is preferred and can be easily cleaned. The top half of the carrier can be removed, allowing your cat to be examined while remaining in the bottom half, feeling safe. Ensure you have enough carriers to have one per cat, as even cats that get on well should be transported in separate carriers (when stressed and confined they may behave differently).
When medication can be helpful
For some cats, travelling to the vet is extremely stressful despite efforts to improve their experience. This might be due to previous negative experiences or the individual cat’s temperament. In such situations it can be very helpful to give the cat some medication prescribed by your veterinarian prior to the clinic visit. Gabapentin is the most commonly used medication for this purpose, and has been shown to be effective in reducing a cat’s anxiety and helping them feel calm during travel and at the clinic. Your veterinarian can advise you accordingly, so do discuss this if your cat remains very anxious and scared travelling to the clinic. It is also a good idea to trial the medication before the actual appointment to ensure it is effective and has no side effects.
