This cute picture of a cat with a grumpy looking face reminds me to talk about how to make cat appointments Fear Free.
Step #1– Make the appointment. If you know your cat is nervous/anxious, or just downright difficult to get into a carrier or cat, talk to our staff about some tips.
Step #2– Get the carrier out several days to weeks before the appointment. Clean it up so it is not scary. Put Fluffy’s favorite toys in it, snacks, anything that will create happy memories and experience associated with the carrier. In some cases, you may even have to take it apart into two halves to make it not scary.
Step #3– Get your cat used to being the carrier with the door closed for short periods of time. Make it a game. Wait until Fluffy is calm, then give treats through the door. Build special memories, then open the door. Pretty soon “carrier= treats/positive experience”.
Step #4 – Practice getting cat the carrier, putting carrier in car, wait until calm, give treats.
Step #5– Put cat in carrier, carrier in car, go for short trip, come home, give treats.
Step #6– Now we are ready to go the vet.
This is all classic conditioning to a new experience. We break it into lots of baby steps, with positive experiences at each step.
If you cannot get a calm cat in a carrier & into your car, we can also suggest adding calming pheromones (like Feliway spray by Ceva) sprayed onto a nice fluffy towel or fleece that is placed in the carrier. This is best done at least 5-10 minutes before attempting to put Fluffy in the carrier. We cannot smell these pheromones, but cats can get to their “happy place” easier. I compare it to humans and lavender.
If the pheromones are not calming enough, it is time to premeditated with gabapentin. This old human medicine for pain works on the nervous system of cats to blunt a panic attack. Better yet, it is a tasteless powder that comes in a capsule that you can open, sprinkle on some yummy, canned food, and most cats eat it without having to be “pilled”.
Our long-term goal is calm cats, not stressed out by carriers or car trips, so we can begin our vet experienced without fear.
https://fearfreehappyhomes.com/your-cats-vet-visit-begins-at-home/
