As a vet and a self - proclaimed cat whisperer , I ’m happy to say : The future is feline ! Not solely , of course ; I love my canine clients , too . But cats often expect a different glide slope to wellness care , and the manufacture is develop to deliver it . From specialized cat veterinarians to feline - only clinics , now you’re able to find attention that caters to the unparalleled pauperism of our feline champion .
But why do big cat need special veterinary care ? How do they do good from it ? And what can preferent parent do to make vet visits less stressful ? Keep reading to learn why your kitty-cat reverence the veterinary , how strain impacts their wellness , and surprising ways to keep your khat sizeable and happy .
Why Is My Cat Scared of the Vet?
If your favorite turn into a scaredy cat at the first hint of a vet visit , you ’re not alone . That ’s because today ’s domesticated cat ( Felis catus)remain quite exchangeable to their African wildcat ancestor(Felis silvestris libyca ) .
Modern feline are hardwired to roleplay as both a predator and prey animal , thanks to eons of evolutionary biology . They are generally alone and territorial fauna , sensitive to change , and keenly attuned to threat around them .
These traits make computed tomography especially susceptible to fear and stress whenever they leave plate . But trips to the vet clinic are especially stressful because they expose cats to unfamiliar sights , odour , and stimuli . This can make cats feel vulnerable or under attack .
Here ’s what that appear and feel like in real biography .
Your cat has a vet appointment today , and you ’re already dreading it . She wasnothappy about her last visit , and it took you both at least a day to recover .
She senses something ’s up when you deduct breakfast ( a must for certain medical procedures ) . So she paces at her bowl , question why you wo n’t spelunk to her requirement . Then , when she tries to go outside , you keep her in . Now she ’s on in high spirits warning signal .
The bit she sees the carrier , she bolts under the bed . Time is ticking and you do n’t want to be late . You contend to wrangle her into it , but not without some battle scar on your arms .
Once in the car , she yowls the whole way . At the clinic , bark dogs , strange citizenry , and disinfectant smells overwhelm her senses . By the time the ex-serviceman examines her , she ’s either frozen in reverence or whip out .
Now , opine that happen every time you convey your cat to the veterinary surgeon . It does n’t take long for your pet to associate the head trip with disconfirming feelings and store . No wonder you ’ve got a stressed - out scaredy cat on your hand !
How Vet Visit Stress Affects Your Cat’s Health
nerve-racking vet visits are n’t just unpleasant ( for both you and your deary ) . tenseness can also affect your kitty ’s wellness and make it harder for your vet to value them properly .
Here ’s how :
A unagitated African tea stand for a more exact wellness assessment . That ’s why reducing stress is a top priority for feline veterinarian .
What Is a Cat Vetand Do You Need One?
All even veterinary meet the training required to treat cats and dogs . However , some take extra steps to specify in felid care . Here are some of the terms and certifications you might run into if you ’re looking for a cat veterinary surgeon .
Cat Friendly Certification
TheFeline Veterinary Medical Association(FelineVMA ) , formerly the American Association for Feline Practitioners ( AAFP ) , is a drawing card in feline medicine and welfare . The association offers in - depth teaching and training on how to provide feline - friendly care , includingCat Friendly Certificate Program(for veterinary professionals ) andCat Friendly Practice Program(for veterinary clinics / hospitals ) .
Diplomate in Feline Practice
TheAmerican Board of Veterinary Practitioners(ABPV ) offer advanced training to veterinary surgeon seeking to specialise in a especial species . Veterinarians who complete this strict program earn the title of Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners ( DABVP ) in their prefer field . A Veterinarian with a DABVP in Feline Practice is a CT specialist veterinary surgeon .
Cat-Only Veterinary Clinics
A cats - only veterinary clinic offer a quieter , scummy - stress environment design for feline comfort and upkeep . A khat vet clinic typically follow FelineVMA guidelines and may have cat - favorable enfranchisement .
Fear Free Certification
Although not cat - specific , theFear Freeorganization was founded to educate veterinary professionals on proficiency to reduce fear and tenseness in veterinary patient role . Their certifications include Fear Free Certified Veterinary Professional and Fear Free Certified Veterinary Practice .
Now that we live all the lingo , the head remains : Does your African tea necessitate a hombre veterinary surgeon ?
Our answer : It bet . If your steady vet provides caliber care and incorporates feline - friendly practice session that support your cat ’s motive , that ’s purr - fect ! However , if you do n’t find your veterinary squad embraces a feline - friendly approach , you might want to seek a veterinary surgeon for cats or cat care clinic .
4 Things Cat Veterinarians Wish You Knew
While seeking out a cat vet specialist could be the key to less stress , there are step you may take to help , too . Here are four enigma to easier vet visit cat vets like every preferred parent knew .
1. All cats need to go to the vet…even if they seem healthy
To help keep your hombre healthy , they should have a veterinary hindrance - up at least annually . However , some favored parents erroneously believe indoor feline do n’t need frequent medical exam .
accord toone field of study , over half of the hombre owners surveyed had not take their cat to the veterinarian in over a yr . Only 37 percentage reported taking their big cat to the vet for a routine health check within the preceding year . Surveyed favored parent listed anxiety about fatal ex-serviceman visit as one of the central reason for low visit frequency . [ 1 ]
However , cats are experts at hiding pain and illness . Routine examination help detect common issues early , including :
Without regular vet visits , cats may endure in silence until modest health issuing become larger wellness problem . And by then , it may be too late for effective treatment .
Do n’t let your cat become part of this statistic . If stressful ex-serviceman visit are stand up in your way , use the GreatPetCareVet Finder toolto find a highly - rated ex-serviceman near you who ’s a good convulsion for your kitty .
Of course , life history get interfering and sometimes your cat ’s routine preventative care takes a back seat . AGreatPetCare accountcan facilitate you stay on track with a gratuitous personalize favored health profile and entree to appointment and medicine reminders , your pet ’s health records , care plan , and more .
2. Pre-visit medication can help ease cat anxiety about vet visits
If vet visit are a incubus , reckon pre - chat calming medication to help facilitate your pet ’s fear . This can be specially effective for hombre who ca n’t shake the memory of prior wretched experiences at a ex-serviceman ’s office .
“ Pre - visit medication such as gabapentin can be super helpful in keep down concern , anxiety , and stress for cats , ” saysDr . Julie Liu , DVM , a Fear Free and Cat Friendly certified veterinarian .
Dr. Liu says she prescribes such medications routinely because they bear on the emotional well-being of her patient role atMy Family Cat , a feline behavior housecall exercise she have in Austin , Texas .
“ Meds can also reduce tenseness interrelate to the carrier and gondola travelling , ” she adds . “ They are in the main dependable and cheap to give , and help remove barriers that prevent true cat from getting the aid they call for . ”
While medication is n’t a cure - all , it can make a huge difference when combined with felid - friendly handling techniques .
3. Your cat’s carrier can make or break the visit
CAT do n’t like being draw into … well , anything . They need to feel good , secure , and in control of their office . That ’s often the contrary of what many feline feel about carriers .
Unfortunately , most cats only see their carrier when it ’s clock time for the vet — which means they associate it with stress . But it does n’t have to be that way .
“ The carrier should be a chancel for your cat : one that is clear , cosy , and secure , ” saysDr . Mansum Yau , DVM . A Vancouver - based Fear Free and Cat Friendly vet , Dr. Yau is also the author of“The Ins and Outs of Cat Carriers : A Veterinarian ’s Guide to Cat Carriers . ”
Her tips :
provision is key . “At least a few days before your vet appointment , take your cat carrier out for your Caterpillar to get acclimate to it . Better yet , leave alone it out all the time for them to use as a cat-o'-nine-tails bed ” she says . “ Waiting to take it out right before you have to leave can leave in your kat running away to hide and you being former or missing your naming altogether . ”
Keep thing positive and comfy . Remember to use positive reenforcement , comfortable towels , a calming pheromone spray , and pre - visit meds if call for , Dr. Yau suggests .
Safety , above all . commend how important security is to cats ? “ Always strip your attack aircraft carrier and check it for harm before and after employment , ” Dr. Yau sound out . “ If there are pieces overlook , please do n’t practice zilch association . toter need to be replaced when there are parts that are missing , broken , or rusty . ”
4. Your uncooperative cat isn’t a “jerk,” just scared
Unfortunately , there is a broad misconception that cats are intentionally uncooperative and difficult . However , the Holy Scripture misunderstood is much more fitting .
Cats ’ mentality are by nature wire to survive . So , while it may storm us when a ordinarily unagitated cat lashes out during a vet examination , in reality , they ’re reacting out of fear .
When accent , cats go through three stage , each one more and more vivid :
A cat that reach this stagecoach is overwhelmed by care and has resorted to endurance mode . This is why low - tenseness handling , proper restraint technique , and drugging ( when necessary ) are essential for a positive vet experience .
How to Find the Best Cat Vetfor Your Pet’s Needs
You want to insure your cat-o'-nine-tails is in near , versed hands , with a veterinary team that understand and respects felid needs . While it ’s unrealistic that they will always meet all criteria perfectly , you should be able to get a sense if your current clinic is felid friendly . Ignoring your cat ’s hurt or using cloggy - handed handling to “ get the problem done ” at all costs are red flags .
Here are some tip on spotting a feline - friendly practice :
The Bottom Line
Vet visits do n’t have to be traumatic for you or your cat . With the right prep , a serious vet , and a feline - friendly approach path , routine checkups can be much smoother .
Remember : Regular vet sojourn save lives . Whether it ’s choosing a cat specialist , using pre - visit MEd , or making the carrier a cozy retreat , small change can make a world of difference in your cat ’s wellness and happiness .
