Many cat owners have had negative experiences when taking their cats to the vets. It’s no secret that cats hate being put in unfamiliar situations so it is no surprise that visiting the vet, even for a routine check-up, can be problematic.

Fortunately, with some simple preparation and reassurance you will be able to take even the most scared cat to the vet with minimal stress.

What Causes the Stress?

Before we look at how you can make each vet visit a calm and stress-free experience, it is important to first understand why your cat may find the situation stressful.

When you visit the vet, your cat is often put through a series of stressful and unfamiliar scenarios before they even reach the veterinary clinic.

Use a Suitable Carrier That Your Cat is Familiar With

Many cats only see a carrier when it’s time to visit the vet. This means they associate it with negative experiences and are uncomfortable being in or around it. In order to combat this, make sure you have a carrier that is the right size for your cat and get them used to be in and around it. If you don’t want to have the carrier out all the time, bring it out a few days prior to the vet visit.

This gives your cat a chance to go in and out of the carrier and get used to it. Also, placing one of your cat’s blankets into the carrier will help to make it more familiar and less scary.

As pet carriers tend to be quite bulky and awkward to carry, you may want to invest in a cat backpack (find out more about what a cat backpack is at Tuxedo Cat) these allow you to carry your cat with ease while keeping your hands free to open doors and fill out paperwork.

It also means your cat is kept far from the ground and far from the other animals at the vets.

Using a cat backpack may also offer a suitable solution for cats who have had bad experiences with traditional carriers and as a result, refuse to go near them.

Related Reading:

Allow Your Cat Time in The Car

If going to the vets involves driving, it is best to get your cat used to being in the car prior to the visit. You can do this by putting your cat in the carrier in the car (without going anywhere) for a few minutes, then give them a treat and take them back into the house. Do this a few times to help your cat get used to being in the car.

Before long, going in the car will no longer cause stress, then you can do it again but this time turn the car on and get your cat used to the engine.

Once this has been normalized you can drive short distances. All the while reassuring and rewarding your cat.

Taking it step by step in this way allows your cat to get used to the situation without feeling afraid or overwhelmed. Then when the time comes to go to the vet, they will know that going in the car is nothing to worry about.

Now that we have taken the stress out of going into the carrier and the journey to the vets, let’s look at the vet visit itself.

Minimize Waiting Time

A veterinary waiting area will be full of strange sounds and smells and this can be a nightmare for cats – cats are territorial and love their own space so imagine their dread when they are suddenly in an unknown room with various animals, lots of strangers and no way to escape.

This situation can be very stressful, particularly when the cat carrier is placed on the ground in close proximity to other animals. It’s something you may not have even thought about before but placing the carrier on the floor as dogs pass by on leads is very scary and intimidating for your cat.

If possible, limit the amount of time you spend in the waiting room.

If there is a cat-only waiting area, take advantage of this but generally the less time spent waiting the better. If you’re early, you may want to sit in the car for a few extra minutes until the appointment is due.

If you are in the waiting area, choose a quiet spot and have the carrier on your lap, continue to reassure your cat in a calm voice to let them know everything is ok.

Some vets are more cat friendly than others so it may be worth having a look around to find the best suited practice for your cat.

Make Social Visits to the Vet

By visiting the vet every now and then with your cat without having any of the handling and procedures it will help to show your cat that not every visit is a negative experience.

When you’ve got some spare time, simply pop in to the vets with your cat and give them treats and praise before leaving and going back home.

Maybe the receptionist will say hello and give your cat some positive attention too. All of this can help to combat the negative association your cat may have developed around vet visits in the past.

When it comes to home pets, the most typical animals we see are cats and dogs. Between the two, a great portion of animal lovers prefer dogs over cats. However, times have a changed as the latter has become as popular as the man’s best friend, don’t you think?

No arguments intended here; everyone is entitled to their own choices. But according to Statista, the recent number of dog ownership in the U.S. is 89.7 million, while the number of households with pet cats is around 95.6 million, having a significant difference of 6 million American households. It goes to show how feline pets are dominating the households in the U.S. in terms of the ownership count.

But more than just getting on top of surveys, the love for cats has become more and more evident nowadays. Just like taking care of dogs or other types of pets, owning a feline pet does come with preferences; people take care of cats because it’s their choice. And did you know that having a feline companion at home has its perks?

If you have thought of bringing a cat home, then it’s a sound decision. Why? There are many purrrfect reasons why. From economical, physical, health to spiritual benefits, cats can be your greatest furry home companion.

Benefits your home and the economy

One of the best things about having cats at home is their ability to sense and exterminate pests. Pesky rodents and insects don’t stand a chance against the aggressiveness of a feline hunter. And as a proof of their work, cats oftentimes show their dead prey to the owners, which can be nasty.

Aside from being efficient pest exterminators, cats are friendly to your budget and to the environment. How? Because of their relatively smaller size, they don’t need so much food, you get to save some money. Their small food intake results in a lower production of carbon footprint. In return, pet food manufacturers, who depend on fuel for their production, emit lesser amounts of carbon dioxide, a Purring Pal article reveals . And we all know how toxic CO2 is for us.

Taking advantage of their small physique, cats are good companions, especially when you live in apartments. They don’t need so much space to run around. They are also low-maintenance pets that are contented with staying at home and just lazing whenever they feel like it. More than 80 percent of their existence is spent on sleeping, so they can be apathetic most of the time. They don’t care if you leave them inside the house.

If you live in the countryside, cats are not only good house companions, but they can also get along with large farm animals like cows, horses, and sheep. Because of their playful nature, cats help in keeping these meek, barn giants relaxed.

Related Reading:

Good for the children

Generally speaking, getting a pet encourages children to be responsible individuals. But there are many other advantages when kids take care of pet cats.

For one, petting a furry kitten enhances a child’s mental focus. Considering the kids’ short attention span, teachers use animals in their lessons to foster the interest in learning. And cats are perfect animals to be part of every subject and discussion. It also goes the same when kids are at home. Cats help improve the mental sharpness in children since these furry animals don’t move around very much. They prefer to sleep, making it easier for the little ones to concentrate on their homework.

Having pets at home is also a good way to protect kids from getting allergies and to decrease the chances of coughs. Many researchers think that exposing kids to pet dander and outdoor microbes, which pets bring into the house, could develop the immune systems of growing children. The presence of these common allergens at an early age could train the body to fight the microbes and build better defenses to fend off disease-causing bacteria and virus.

Spiritual Advantages

Yes, you have read the right. Having a pet cat at home does bring spiritual benefits. According to Awareness Act, feline companions can sense when our auras are all over the place. They also have the ability to get into our aura and put it back to its proper place.

But wait, there’s more. Cats are not only effective in exterminating pests, but they can also repel bad spirits and negative energies around your home. Have you noticed why your cat suddenly hisses? It means that they sense something that we can’t perceive. And have you noticed why most witch movies have cats? It’s because these feline creatures are known to deflect evil spells or curses from toxic guests. They shield you from unperceivable danger without you knowing it.

Have nightmares been haunting you lately? Then you’d probably get a cat. When they sense that you’re having bad dreams, cats wake you up by tapping their paws or rubbing their faces. Many psychics also believe that the feline astral energy can expel unwanted guests from your unconscious state.

Healthy for the Body

Although you won’t have to take them out for walking or jogging, taking care of kittens or adult cats has health benefits that have been proven by scientific studies. One of these benefits is decreasing the chances of cardiovascular diseases. Medical researches revealed that cat ownership lowers stress levels, veering you from experiencing heart problems such as stroke and heart attack.

This may seem unbelievable, but a cat’s purr has therapeutic benefits that can heal bone and muscle problems. According to studies, frequencies within the range of 18-35 HZ have positive effects on injured joints, and a cat’s purring has a vibration of 20-140 HZ. Perhaps, a cat is a good pet choice for the elderly, don’t you think?

The other health benefits of having a feline pet include the improvement of reflexes, a much better sleep at night, an effective anxiety reliever, and a therapeutic companion when you’re coping with trauma.

Trap-neuter-return, or TNR consist of the capture, sterilization, and release of feral cats in order to control the population of feral cat colonies.

Either local animal control or a caregiver who has been feeding the cat will use a live cat trap with food inside to procure the animal. Then, the cat is transported to a veterinary facility or animal shelter to be examined and spayed or neutered.

In many cases, the cat may also receive vaccinations such as those for rabies. Treatments for common feline medical conditions such as deworming medications are sometimes also available. Often, clinics will perform a procedure called “eartipping”: a small segment of the tip of the ear is cut in order to identify sterilized cats. This practice prevents readmission of cats who have already received a vasectomy or hysterectomy. After a short stay in the clinic of one or two days, an adult cat is then returned to its original habitat where it was trapped. A kitten or stray cat is instead taken to a shelter to be cared for until adoption.

What are the pros and cons of such programs?

Do TNR Programs Work?

In the event there is a caregiver who is consistent in meeting the needs of these cats, feral cats can live long, peaceful and fulfilling lives in their natural habitat. However, they are still somewhat at risk of the many dangers that come with living outdoors and still pose a risk to humans. For the benefit of local communities, TNR programs are more likely to bring significant changes to the local population of feral cats; trap-and-kill programs will lead to other colonies occupying the previous one’s habitat due to available resources left behind.

Fix and release programs only work if the entire colony is sterilized and there are consistent food and water sources made available. Not only will feral TNR populations reduce over time, they will avoid traveling in search of resources, virtually eliminating the spread of pests and diseases beyond their current colony area.

Who Funds Trap-Neuter-Return Programs?

Trap-neuter-return programs are funded by charity organizations, local government agencies, and communities. Some city and county governments in the following states have established and implemented fix and release programs for feral cats:Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Local animal shelters may also provide vouchers which reduce or eliminate the costs to spay or neuter feral cats.

Catnip is the abbreviated name for Nepeta cataria, a perennial herb of the mint family originally from Europe and Asia. Interestingly enough, the Latin-derived word, cataria, is translated as “of a cat.” However, it wasn’t always a feline treat — its leaves were once used to brew tea for treating an upset stomach. It is still used today, but more for animals — particularly cats — instead of humans. The plant can grow up to three feet high, and it is characterized by soft leaves, small white flowers with purple flecks, and a poignant lemony fragrance.

Contains a Special Chemical

Of course, the big question is this: Why are cats so obsessed with this specific herb? It’s somewhat relieving to know that the source of this fascination is rooted in the nature of the plant itself and not the byproduct of a commercialized formula or dangerous chemical. This strange fascination is nothing new. After all, it is practically implied in the plant’s Latin name. It all boils down to chemistry. The oil within the stems and leaves of the Nepeta cataria plant contains a special chemical called nepetalactone. As it turns out, this chemical has some pretty powerful effects on cats, and it can act as either an aggressive stimulant or a soothing balm. When the cat sniffs the plant (in whatever form it is presented, but usually the leaf itself), a ten-minute period of feline bliss ensues — not unlike the “high” a person experiences in the presence of certain drugs or other concentrated substances.

Further Reading

Use in Moderation

The second question that might come to mind is whether this catnip stuff is safe. Given its unusual and often volatile influence, it’s only natural to be a little concerned and wonder if it isn’t a form of slow poison. First of all, to allay your worries, catnip is complexly non-toxic to cats. On the flipside, this herb can have a therapeutic effect on itchy kitty skin and, of course, it can greatly alleviate stress and anxiety as well. However, like most things, moderation should be practiced when exposing cats to this powerful herb. If the cat is exposed to catnip on a daily basis, for example, it may become desensitized to it.

One of the great conveniences of owning a cat is the fact that they’re litter box trained. No getting up in the middle of the night to take the pet out to relieve itself. No unpleasant surprises left to be found in hidden corners. But sometimes a cat that uses a litter box without issue for years begins “missing” the box or relieving itself in a part of the house far from the litter box. The reasons as to why could be as minor as the introduction of a new puppy or renovating the kitchen. However, litter box issues can also indicate that a cat is suffering from a potentially serious health problem.

Health concerns aside, the longer a cat relieves itself indoors away from its litter box, the more ingrained the behavior becomes. To protect both the cat and its owner’s property and belongings, this behavior should be investigated quickly and thoroughly. Below are some tips to help you and your feline friend resolve its litter box issues.

Further Reading

Newborn Foster Care
Breeds of Cat
Treat Sick Kitten

Solutions

When It’s Caused By A Medical Or Aging Issue

In both cases, medical attention should be sought as quickly as possible. Even in non serious medical or age related situations, rapid intervention can keep cats comfortable and avoid escalating medical problems.

To Avoid Repeat Performances

If you have proven methods for getting a cat to stop peeing outside of its litter box, please share those with our readers