Cat not wanting to come to the vet?

Cats are one of those pets that can be difficult to get ahold of whenever it is time for their annual trip in (and especially if it is a sick appointment), because they always know as soon as you get the carrier out of the closet that it is the time. As soon as they see it, they dash under the bed or out of the house. Then you have to call your veterinarian’s office and explain how “Muffins” got away again and you can’t find or can’t get to them. How do they know?!

Well, the simple answer is usually: you only get the carrier out right before you are about to round them up and put them in it.

So, what do you do about it? How can you make it easier and less painful? No one wants to be scratched putting their cat in the carrier or stress them out before you even make it in to the appointment.

Why bother with a carrier at all if it is so painful to get them in it? This is one thing we cannot stress enough- cats should always be in a carrier during transportation. This is better for them and you. If they are roaming around the car they can get under seats, under your pedals, and generally be a distraction for the driver. Once you are getting them out of the car there are many things that could spook them enough to claw their way out of your arms and off into the nearest neighborhood (or if you’re inside already, off to hide in the most difficult place to get to in the clinic). This creates all kind of opportunities for your feline to get injured and become more stressed.

Today we will be going over a few things to make it easier and less stressful on your cat, you, and your veterinarian’s staff.

First thing is first, some carriers are better than others. Not to be a kennel snob, but there are some carriers that make it easier for everyone and some that make it downright difficult. What makes a good carrier? There are a ton of different kinds out there- soft, hard, bubble backpacks, big ones, small ones, some that slide, some that snap, some that zip. Options are basically endless. You could probably stare at that aisle all day if you were really indecisive, so we are going to narrow down the options for you a little.

·         Your cat should be comfortable- meaning the carrier isn’t too small for them, but not so large as you are having difficulty navigating the parking lot (banging into cars, rails, and doorways on your way in). Your struggle with the carrier can make that walk from the house to the car and from the car to the veterinary office terrifying.

·         The carrier should give easy and comfortable access to your cat- no cat wants to be dragged or dumped out of the carrier if they are unwilling.

o   Soft carriers that can be squeezed are good if your cat doesn’t like coming in and gets angry- making it easier to medicate them with a sedative if necessary. They are also fine with cats who don’t mind a trip to the vet’s office and tend to come out on their own.

o   Hard carriers provide more stability for them but can make it more difficult to get them out if it doesn’t come apart easily.

o   Access from the front and the top is helpful. The more access points the better!

o   Ones that come apart, meaning you can take the top off, are good for cats that are more nervous. This is not necessarily a process that is without fault- some of those carrier’s fasteners can be loud and also terrifying. The ability to take the top off is helpful so they don’t have to be dragged out and can make getting them out much smoother and easier on everyone. If the cat doesn’t particularly feel comfortable it is simpler to put a towel slowly over them while slowly retracting the top to keep them calmer and still feel contained.

Whichever carrier type you go decide on, make sure it is in working condition- meaning it opens as it should without any zip-ties or safety pins. These additional fasteners can make getting your cat out of the carrier you so carefully picked out difficult or almost impossible.

Now that you have a comfortable and working carrier, how do you get them to get in it?

This is a process and takes work on everyone’s part. Carriers should be left out and open so that your feline can access them whenever they want to. Finding a place to do this can be difficult depending on the carrier, so keep that in mind when shopping for one. Allowing access to the carrier when they are not being forced inside can help them be more comfortable and keeps them from knowing exactly when they’ll be traveling. If your cat is still acting wary and hesitant to get in, try putting cat treats or something the enjoy eating or playing with inside the carrier. You can also try pheromone sprays that are meant to be soothing, sprayed on some bedding.

Another thing that can be helpful that some owners shy away from is pre-medicating your cat before putting them in the carrier for their appointment.

No matter how used to the carrier they may be, if they are uncomfortable with the experience in any way, they will never have a calm trip to their veterinarian. Some cats (and dogs) get car sick and some are anxious about a new place and/or new people. Adding in anti-nausea or anti-anxiety medications 30-60 minutes before coming in can help them feel a little more comfortable.

If we have exhausted all the aforementioned options and your feline is still not comfortable, they may just need to be sedated to keep them from additional stress and keep your veterinarian’s staff safe.

If you have any concerns about your pet please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are always happy to answer any questions and ease any concerns.