How to make coming the vet less stress for your cat

A common complaint among my cat clients is that their cat hates the crate and hates coming to the vet.  Well it's no wonder, the only time the cat sees the crate is to take a car ride (he hates) and come to the veterinarian (he hates even more), where they are poked and prodded during a physical examination.  All these add up to cat wrestling trying to get the cat in the carrier for a trip to the vet.

You can help your cat be more at home in the crate by practicing these habits at home.  It could make your cat's next visit less stressful

Instead of having the carrier in a closet or garage in between outings, leave it in your front room and take the door off.  Put a nice bed in it.  This will give the cat a chance to go in and out, smell it, lay in it, rub against it and see it.  Things are  not so scary when you see it all the time.  Next put part of your cat's daily food in the carrier to help your cat associate it with something good.  If your cat has a favorite treat or toy, toss them in the carrier and let the cat get them.  Make the treats especially yummy.  (Be sure to put the dog outside or in his own crate when you practice this--otherwise the dog is stealing the treats!)

You can also try spraying Feliway, a synthetic pheromone, on the bedding of the carrier.  Feliway works to calm cats.  This could also be helpful to do just prior to your trip to the vet.

After your cat seems comfortable with going into the carrier on it's own, put the door back on and periodically close the door, leaving a nice treat (tuna), for a few minutes at a time and then let the cat out.  Repeat this from time to time.

Practice this through the year and your next veterinary visit may be less scary for your cat.