Preparing Your Cat for a Trip to the Veterinarian

Even though cats are traditionally independent creatures, you are the most important person in your cat’s world. Next to you, the second most important person in a cat’s life is the veterinarian. These animal doctors have two major goals: to keep animals healthy for as long as they can and to care for them when they become ill. Pretty simple, right?

Keeping your cat healthy requires exercise, good diet, and consistent medical care. Your veterinarian can help you with all three components of your pet’s healthy lifestyle. Since you and your cat will make many trips to the veterinary hospital over the years, it’s best to start preparing your kitty for these visits as soon as possible. 

Before the first visit

First, prepare your cat for car travel. Before actually going to the veterinary hospital, take practice car trips and provide a treat when you reach the destination. If your cat enjoys traveling in a vehicle, going to the veterinarian is much easier.

To keep both you and your cat safe for the trip to the animal hospital, always place your kitty in a cat carrier. Cats like snuggly confined areas, so they learn to tolerate carriers easily. Well in advance of the veterinary visit, place the empty carrier, door open, on the floor next to the kitty’s food bowl. Line the carrier with a soft towel. The following day, place the food bowl just inside the carrier door so the kitty only has to insert his head to eat. The third day, you can move the food bowl further inside the carrier. This gradual technique should help your cat see the carrier as a friendly, welcoming place that he enters without much coaxing.

If your cat is still hesitant to breach the carrier’s door, gently nudge him inside. If he resists, remove the top of the carrier, lie him down on the towel, and replace the top. If this doesn’t work either, gently but firmly, grasp your cat by the nape of the neck (scruff) and deposit him, tail first, into the carrier.

For cat owners who live within walking distance of the veterinary clinic, there are clever cat strollers with ventilated kitty carriers built in that make transportation easy and fun.

Going to the veterinarian will be a breeze if you start preparing your cat early. Of course, it also helps to give a reward such as a yummy treat after each visit, so he will always associate the veterinary hospital with fun!