“It’s good to learn from your mistakes. It’s better to learn from other people’s.”
– Warren Buffett
Introduction
Imagine how much easier life would be if we could learn every lesson from other people’s mistakes? Luckily for you, I made nearly every mistake possible with my first cat, Gigasaurus (AKA “Jigga”).
This includes the way I approached our visits to the vet.
Jump to Section:
For starters, I would tuck her carrier away in some obscure spot until the dreaded date was nearly upon us. I mean, out of sight, out of mind, right?
Shortly before the appointment I would sneak it out and place it on it’s end in the bathroom. Then, I would grab my cat by surprise and walk backwards into the room so she didn’t catch a glimpse. Finally, I would slowly lower her, hind paws first, into the box ‘o terror.
This was no easy feat – Jigga was a beast, with razor sharp claws and no real apprehension around using them. She would fight the whole way like her life depended on it, front paws flailing until she finally surrendered.
More often than not I was successful. At least, if ‘forcefully stuffing my terrified pet into a small, metal box and then slamming the door shut behind her‘ is how we define success.
But do you see the problem here? Her stress level (and mine) was already at ‘code red’ and we hadn’t even left the living room yet. By the time we reached the vet, passing strangers, pets, and other monstrosities, it was approaching sub-atomic levels.
It was no longer a matter of if, but when, the anxiety bomb in my lap was going to explode. Which meant that the vet, their techs, or sometimes both, were shedding blood that day.
In my defense, at least I took her to the vet, despite the significant risks this posed for me. Sadly, nearly half (48% to be specific) of all guardians are not bringing their kitties in for routine checkups. Now are you ready for the good news? It doesn’t have to be this way!
Mentally scarred by my traumatic trips with Jigga, I decided I would do things differently the next time around. What follows is a summary of what have I learned since.
How to Prepare for Taking Your Cat to the Vet
I am happy to report that my cats had their annual checkup last week. Despite my (nearly) overwhelming anxiety in the days leading up to it, things went really well.
The key to taking any cat to the vet with minimal stress is adequate preparation. This begins weeks, and ideally, months before you ever step foot out the door with your kitty in tow. Here are three strategies that I use to make trips to the vet less stressful.
Carrier Training
Carrier training your cat is the best thing you can do to make trips to the veterinarian less stressful. It is also an important skill to practice for emergency preparedness, should you ever need to evacuate with your pet.
The first step is to leave your cat’s carrier out in an area where they spend a lot of time. Hiding or burying it somewhere in a closet is the worst thing you can do. If, every time it appears, something unpleasant happens, then your cats will learn to anticipate dread.
Instead, we want to help our cats form positive associations with their carrier. Once they see it as a safe, comfortable space that they seek out on their own, we have succeeded.
Be sure to reward any progress along the way with praise and yummy treats.
Finally, as with most things, the younger you’re able to start, the easier it will be. Conversely, if your cats already have a strong aversion to their carrier, it might be helpful to start over with a new one (carrier, that is).
Positive Visualization
It’s important to remember that your cat takes many cues from you. This includes feeding off of and reacting to your inner state. If you are a hot mess, your cat may sense this and become a hot mess too.
Therefore, the second tip is aimed at keeping your own anxiety at bay. One effective way to do this is through positive visualization.
Ok bear with me, I know this might sound a little woo woo at first. But I finally caved and decided to try this for the first time last week. And I have to be honest, it seems to have worked wonders!
I’ll spare you the details since this is not a personal development blog. If you’d like to learn more, there is a boatload of free information out there (such as this & this).
Otherwise, here is the TLDR:
Before the appointment, take time to center yourself.
Relax, find a quiet place, and close your eyes if it feels right. Then, imagine a “video” in your head of how you want things to go…
You’re calm and relaxed, everyone is safe and sound, and in an hour or so, you’re done for the year. Your cat(s) has a clean bill of health and you’re headed back home.
Woohoo, treats and chin scritches for all!
Obviously, I’ll never know how things would have gone had I NOT practiced this technique the morning of our appointment. But considering the minimal downside (you waste ~90s of your life), it seems the risk more than justifies the potential reward.
I even went as far as imagining an “affordable” bill at the end of our trip. And while the actual invoice was higher than it was in my mental movie, it wasn’t that far off! Maybe I’ll start visualizing my trips to Costco next; inflation is real.
Pet Insurance
Speaking of inflation, having pet insurance before your next trip to the vet is something we strongly recommend. Veterinary care can be costly. Having a financial safety net in place can reduce any anxiety you might have around an unexpectedly high bill.
A number of providers offer cat insurance. Make sure to do your homework to understand the pros and cons of each. Unlike major medical (aka health insurance), there can be significant variations from one company (or even plan) to the next.
Another big difference from the human version is that pet insurance usually includes strict restrictions on pre-existing conditions. Therefore, it can be beneficial to get insurance while your cats are still young, before any major health problems arise.
Taking Your Cat to the Vet: FAQ’s
Last but not least, here are some of the most common questions we get about feline veterinary care. If you’d like us to expand on these, or any topics really, feel free to leave a comment below.
Why Do I Need to Take My Cat to the Vet?
Emergency visits aside, it’s important to take your cat to the vet for routine wellness exams. Many common issues can be treated with ease if they are spotted early. Left unchecked however, they can develop into more severe, chronic conditions.
Cats are notoriously good at hiding injuries or sickness, since showing any sign of weakness is pretty much a death sentence in the wild. This is why you need to take your cat to the vet even if it seems like nothing is wrong.
How Often Should I Take My Cat to the Vet?
How often you should take your cat to the vet depends on a variety of factors. This includes their age, breed, and whether they have any pre-existing health conditions.
However, you should generally take your cat to the vet at least once per year for a preventative wellness exam. For kittens, senior cats, and those with known health problems, two times per year or more may be appropriate.
Why Does My Cat Hate Going to the Vet so Much?
Taking a cat to the vet is inherently stressful. That’s because it involves numerous things that cats are generally opposed to: a change in their routine, an unfamiliar place with strange sights and sounds, and foreign pets and humans they don’t know.
Since we can’t really change the experience, the best thing we can do is adequately prepare through the aforementioned tips.
I’ve Tried Everything – My Cat is Still Terrified of the Vet, What Should I do?
Admittedly, there are some situations where carrier training, positive visualization, and pet insurance simply won’t cut it. If you’ve tried everything else, talk to your vet to see if a minor sedative like gabapentin might be appropriate.
Gabapentin is a prescription drug that is generally considered safe for cats. It works to reduce anxiety and can make a huge difference not only for your cat, but also the safety of everyone involved (read: the poor vet + tech’s risking life and limb for your cat’s health).
Conclusion
Taking your cat to the vet for routine checkups is an important aspect of being a responsible pet parent. There’s a good chance that it won’t ever be something either of you look forward to. But that doesn’t mean it has to be dreadful either.
By practicing carrier training with your cat, doing some positive visualization , and having pet insurance beforehand, you can significantly reduce the anxiety that often surrounds this infrequent but necessary aspect of pet ownership.
If all else fails, remember that you are doing what’s best for the health and wellness of your furry friend. And isn’t that what being a good cat guardian it’s all about?