From Fear to Feline Fine: Navigating Vet Visits with Your Cat

September 03, 2024 LianShuning

Your cat’s health goes a long way in determining their happiness and comfort, so it’s always important to maintain their health with routine medical check-ups at a veterinarian clinic. Keeping up with immunizations, weight loss control, and behavior management can help ensure your cat is properly cared for.

“Our cats are part of our family and just like family we want them to feel healthy and never sick,” says Freya, the CEO of FurryTail. It’s crucial to know who to look for when searching for veterinarians and how they can find the best ones to match their cat’s needs. So, how can cat owners find the right veterinarian?

Prepare for the Vet

First and foremost, it’s important to understand that cats generally dislike going to veterinarian clinics. These facilities can cause a lot of stress and anxiety for cats because they are unfamiliar and surrounded by a large number of other animals, causing a sensory overload. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce your cat’s stress when taking them to a clinic that’ll make it easier for you, your cat, and the veterinarian assisting them.

Cat carriers are one of the most important things to consider for a trip to the vet clinic because they are essential for transporting your cat safely. FurryTail’s Pet Carrier and Foldable Backpack provide the comfort and security necessary for keeping both you and your cat at ease when visiting the veterinarian. The Carrier is great for cats that want to hide in confined spaces while the backpack provides a large field of view at the top for more curious pets.

It is best to leave a carrier out in plain view of your cat before going to the vet so that they can feel comfortable going inside of it. Consider adding bedding and putting a blanket over the top of a carrier to make it more inviting for your cat. Sprinkling kibble can also help a cat build comfort and familiarity with their carrier. This will help reduce anxiety by making them feel safe while outside.

Calming sprays like Feliway and toys can also create a sense of safety for your cat, helping alleviate any stress that comes with visiting the vet. Likewise, it can help to avoid cleaning out any fur from your carrier to help your cat recognize their scent and claim the carrier as their territory.

Checklist for Choosing a Cat-Friendly Vet

When choosing a veterinarian for your cat there are many factors to consider. While all veterinarians have expertise with a variety of animals, it is important to find one that you and your cat will feel comfortable with.

Evaluate: Is the clinic environment suitable for your cat and do they have an American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) rating?

Assess: Is their staff expertise and training optimal for feline behavior and health or do they specialize in other animals? View their website or brochure to see which animals are featured most frequently.

Check: Does the clinic have specific feline-friendly services and equipment? Do they provide advanced procedures for cats such as surgery or medications specifically for cats?

Review: What are other people saying about the clinic? Are reviews positive or negative? Google, Facebook, and Yelp are commonly used to host reviews, opinions, and anecdotes after a visit.

Conclusion

Nothing is more important at FurryTail than keeping our cats healthy, loving, and comfortable. Following these simple guidelines can help ensure that your cat will live a long, healthy life with you and your family. Visit our homepage to learn more about how to keep your cat happy with the most up-to-date information from cat owners for cat owners.