Routine vet check-ups are one of the best ways to ensure your kitty has a long, healthy life. August 22 is National Take Your Cat To The Vet Day which is the perfect opportunity to schedule a routine check-up for your kitty. We know how stressful vet visits can be for both cats and their owners, so here are 5 tips to help make your vet visits as stress free as possible.
- Help your cat become comfortable with their carrier. Keep your cat’s carrier out in an area where your cat spends most of their time. Cover it with a blanket or towel and place familiar bedding and toys inside. You can even spray the toys and bedding with some of our catnip spray to encourage your cat to go inside and relax. It may take days or weeks before your cat starts to get comfortable in their carrier. Stay calm, patient, and be sure to reward your kitty’s desired behaviors!
- Give your cat some catnip beforehand to help calm them. Contrary to when cats sniff catnip and get a euphoric reaction, eating it actually produces a calming effect that can be very useful for anxious kitties. Skullcap and Valerian Root are two additional herbs that are relaxing to cats when eaten. Try sprinkling about ¼ tsp of Skullcap or Kalico Kush on a plate or small amount of your cat’s food and let them eat it about 30 minutes before your vet visit to calm them. Just be careful not to overdo it, as too much could cause an upset stomach.
- Withhold food, if possible, a couple hours before your visit. Anxiety can cause an upset stomach and riding in the car may cause your cat to get motion sick. Avoid kitty getting sick in their carrier by withholding food a few hours before your vet visit.
- Bring your cat’s favorite treats. Making visits to the vet as positive as possible is one of the best ways to reduce your cat’s stress. Treats are a great way to reward desired behavior and create a positive association with the vet. Our Crunchie Munchies feature a catnip flavored center and are only 1.8 calories each which makes them perfect for rewarding or distracting your cat at their check-up.
- Stay calm! Cats can sense our frustrations and anxiety which may cause them to be fearful and anxious themselves. Cats do not learn from punishment or force, so be sure to keep your voice soft and respect your cat’s need for time to get familiar with new places and people. Playing some soft music or white noise can also help them relax in the car.
Regular vet check-ups are vital to your kitty’s health and wellbeing. These exams can help prevent medical emergencies since veterinarians can often detect conditions or diseases that may affect your cat’s health long before they become significant, painful, or more costly to treat. If you try the above tips and notice your cat is still stressed, you may need to talk to your vet about prescription medication.
