How to bring a cat to the vet without a fight
Cats
4 min read
Dr. Kiyomi Nakamura, DVM
Leave the carrier out, skip breakfast and cover it with a towel. Small changes that make the visit calmer for everyone.
Most cats are not afraid of us. They are afraid of the carrier, the car and the smell of dogs. All three are fixable.
Make the carrier furniture
Leave it out in the living room for a week with the door open and a towel inside, and feed treats in it. A carrier that only appears before a vet visit is a carrier your cat will run from.
Skip breakfast
A slightly hungry cat cares more about treats than about being handled, and is less likely to be carsick.
Cover it in the car
A towel over the carrier blocks the view and calms most cats. Keep it level and belted in, not on the floor.
Use our cat door
Cats come in through the side door and go straight to a quiet room, away from dogs. We can examine your cat in the bottom half of the carrier if that is where they feel safest.
If your cat is very stressed, ask us about a calming medication to give at home two hours before the visit.
This article is general information, not veterinary advice or a diagnosis. Every pet is different. If your pet has trouble breathing or a seizure, call an emergency hospital now.
Written by
Dr. Kiyomi Nakamura, DVM
Reviewed by the Sweetgum medical team.
