any advice to calm him down?
Annual monitoring visit, vaccine, consultation in the event of illness… there are plenty of opportunities to take your cat to the veterinarian. But these visits lead to a feeling of fear in some cats which can become incontrollable. A difficult situation for everyone which does not facilitate auscultation and can even represent a danger. Let’s see how to calm your cat when he is scared at the vet.
Take Your Cat In Its Transport Box To The Consultation
This is absolutely essential because a cat that is afraid at the vet can be taken from a panic attack in the waiting room and going crazy. He can struggle, scratch, bite because he feels trapped in this type of environment, having no possibility of fleeing. This represents a danger for his master, but also for other people and animals who are waiting. And keeping your cat on a leash is not at all a good solution at such times.
It is very useful to spray the inside of the transport crate with pheromones, about ½ hour before bringing the cat in. They will have a soothing effect on the little feline. You can also place your favorite toy there as well as some treats to distract and reassure him.
Avoid Waiting That Generates Stress
If the master has the possibility of schedule a veterinary consultation early, or even as soon as office opening, it is preferable because the wait will be shorter. A fearful cat can indeed be even more distressed if it has to stay for a long time in its transport cage or in the company of congeners and other animals who are also more or less frightened.
Reassure Your Fearful Cat
The anxious master at the idea of taking his cat to the vet unconsciously communicates his stress to his little companion. Indeed the cat is very receptive to the moods of his master. So you have to take it upon yourself, and talk softly to your cat during the journey, including in the waiting room where, if possible, a quiet place is chosen.
Some cats get scared when they see other people and animals around them that they don’t know. Placing a bath towel on the transport cage while waiting for the consultation can be enough to soothe your cat.
Use A Cat Calming Spray
To prevent the cat from suddenly turning into a furious beast in the vet’s waiting room or during the consultation, it is very useful to use a soothing spray. One can opt for a herbal product such as valerian Who reduces stress and avoids behavioral problems in case of anxiety. The visit to the veterinarian is no longer experienced by the cat as a stressful event. More serene he no longer risks behaving like a wild animal.
Note that there are also soothing plant extract diffusers of the stamps of the calming pipettes with valerian and even necklaces containing active ingredients that are released gradually over 1 month. Perfect for fearful, stressed, anxious cats.
Socialize Your Kitten So That It Is Less Afraid Of The Vet
THE lack of contact with humans promotes the feeling of fear in the cat. The more it is accustomed early visits to the vet, the less likely he is to be afraid in this kind of situation. It is recommended to socialize him as soon as possible. To do this, he must see strangers (friends, neighbours, etc.), be gradually brought into contact with other pets, but also have multiple opportunities to discover different noises, new smells, etc.
We also get used to it to be manipulated, by petting, playing, daily brushing… Thus, the kitten becomes less and less fearful and has every chance of being much less anxious all the time. Visits to the veterinarian will take place without any stress for the cat and therefore for his companion.
Finally, if despite all these precautions the cat is still as scared at the veterinarian or in other situations, it is necessary to speak to the professional so that a solution can be found because this can be the expression of a psychological problem.
