Lucky, the feral kitten I found in my yard last fall, had a date with the vet for his neuter surgery a couple of weeks ago. It did not go well. Poor guy was terrified. His feral nature re-emerged when his mum had to leave him in the hands of people he didn't know, even though they were very nice people.

I wrote all about it in a Medium article, link at the end, but I'd like to list a few things here that you can do to help you and your kitty have a smoother experience at the vet. These didn't help Lucky this go around but they helped for the first two vet visits he had.

Look for a Cat-Friendly Vet Practice

There is a certification that U.S. vet practices can obtain that means cats will be handled in the least stressful way possible.

"Established by the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and the International Society for Feline Medicine (ISFM), the CFP Program is a global initiative designed to elevate care for cats by enhancing the environment and experience, as well as reducing stress for the cat, caregiver, and also the entire veterinary team."

​https://catvets.com/cfp/cat-friendly-certificate-program​

I was at a different vet than usual with Lucky this time. Even though they are good, they don't have this certification. The vet I would have normally used has this on their website:

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Feliway Spray Might Help Keep Them Calm

Feliway is a pheromone spray that calms many cats. There's more than one brand on the market. I'm not advocating for one over the other. Feliway just happens to be the one I've used before. It has mixed results for my cats. Try it out before V-Day in case your cat isn't a fan. You don't want to find that out as you're putting them into the carrier for the drive.

Have the Cat Carrier Sitting Out the Day(s) Before the Visit

Let your cat get used to the sight of the carrier well in advance. I let mine use it to sleep in when it sits out for a while after someone has been on a trip in it. This is especially important for a cat who is a nervous traveler.

Don't Rush

Hurried movements and anxiety on your part will transmit your feelings to your cat. Also, allow for plenty of time to get the cat into the carrier and leave early enough so you don't rush to get there on time. You and kitty will be calmer if there's no travel stress.

I actually pre-plan a day in advance as to whether I need to sequester kitty in the bathroom for easy retrieval day of or if it's one who is easy to catch when the time comes so that isn't necessary.

Use a Familiar Blanket in the Carrier

Use a blanket or towel that already has your cat's scent on it. That will make the carrier feel more soothing.

Also, cover the carrier with a towel during transport. That keeps most cats calmer. They don't really want to see the scenery along the way. They prefer to hide in the cozy, dark cave of the carrier.

Get a Carrier That is Easy to Use & Sturdy

I greatly prefer a hard-sided carrier that has front and top doors. Make sure it is sturdy and that the doors latch securely. Having a top door lets you lower a fearful cat into it rather than aiming for the narrower front door where you're either shoving one into it or trying to back one in and get all the limbs in simultaneously. You know cats can sprout extra ones when it's time to go in a carrier. It's MUCH easier to lower them in from the top.

This is my favorite carrier. I have three of them. If you want to buy one for yourself, the link is an affiliate link so that means I'll get a small % of the purchase which I put in my vet expense account.

​https://amzn.to/3WPw9wr​

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Well that's the top tips I have to share for making vet visits less stressful for everyone.

Number one on that list really is to use a vet practice who caters to the specific needs of cats. That is a game changer when you don't have to worry if the vet and the techs know how the best way to handle a scared or feisty feline.

Number two is the top-loading carrier. I couldn't live without one with as many types of cat personalities as reside in this household.

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Beth Bach @bethbach I put the laundry basket on the kitchen counter so cats wouldn’t lay in it before I got clothes folded. pic.twitter.com/ih6UYj16VW May 27th 2023 19 Retweets 216 Likes

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