August 22nd may very well be Fluffy’s least favorite day of the year: it’s Take Your Cat To The Vet Day! Many of our feline patients absolutely hate being put into carriers and taken to the clinic. In fact, cats often are much more upset about the car ride than their actual appointments! Here, an Eau Claire, WI vet offers some advice on bringing Fluffy in to meet her doctor.

Leave The Carrier Out

If your furry buddy only sees her carrier when she is about to go to the vet, she may very well bolt as soon as she sees it. Leave the carrier out between appointments. Add some comfy bedding, and perhaps toss in a few toys to make it more appealing. Then, tell Fluffy to stay out. She’ll probably jump right in!

Climate Control

If it’s really cold out, have the car warmed up before you bring Fluffy out. In summer, heat is the bigger concern. Keep the air conditioner on. Also, don’t leave your furball alone in the car, even for a minute. That could be deadly!

Window Open

Cats sometimes get a bit carsick. Nausea certainly won’t improve Fluffy’s day at all. Keep the window cracked a little bit, so your furball always has fresh air flowing back to her. (The air conditioner can also help with this.)

Consider Pet-Calming Products

If your feline friend gets extremely nervous, ask your vet about using pet-calming products. There are different ones to choose from, such as treats, sprays, and collars. Be sure to follow the package instructions to the letter!

Radio

As the saying says, music soothes the savage beast. Play the radio softly for your furry pal. This may help calm Fluffy down. If nothing else, it will give her something to meow along with.

Driving

Many kitties find car rides very, very scary. Do what you can to make the trip smooth and easy on your feline buddy. Try to avoid speed bumps and potholes. Also, take care with corners, stops, and starts.

Reactivate The Purr

Once Fluffy gets back home, it probably won’t take her very long to unwind and settle down. Chances are, after a good nap and perhaps a special treat, your kitty will forget the appointment even happened!

As your local Eau Claire, WI veterinary clinic, we’re dedicated to offering great care. Call us anytime!