Congratulations! Being a cat parent can be a very rewarding experience. However, like all other human-pet relationships, it’s not always rainbows and sparkles. Health care for your pet, for instance, can be very confusing in the very beginning. Cats are generally independent by nature, however, even the most independent feline needs professional care. This isn’t just limited to when your cat is sick, too.
You have to take care of their immunizations, dental care, grooming, etc. to ensure a healthy cat. The first vet visit may be the most stressful to deal with, both for you and your cat. You don’t have to worry! Lucky for you, we’ve created a list of tips for you to follow for when the trip to the vet finally happens.
Taking Your Cat to the Vet for the First Time
1. Prepare all your cat’s paperwork.
This is a very easy thing to forget, but regardless of where you have adopted your cat, you will be needing papers. These papers will contain your cat’s medical history, making it easier for your vet to review.
2. Get your cat accustomed to being touched and handled.
Your pet getting stressed because of handling can be very difficult for them and for you. To make sure this doesn’t happen, help them get used to human contact. They may be intimidated by their carrier, but let them know their carrier is a safe place by incorporating the use of it on regular days even if you don’t have to go to the vet.
You can also try placing their favorite toys inside the carrier so they won’t be as scared. They may even try napping inside if it’s comfortable enough. Once your cat has accepted that the carrier is a safe zone, you’d have one less problem to think about when you bring him to the vet.
3. Keep a comfortable and familiar environment for your cat.
Cats can become easily frightened. They display fear by running away, aggression, or even freezing in place. Make sure you have the essentials to provide a familiar environment for them. If you’re worried about your cat being frisky during the transport, you can place their favorite blanket or cloth inside their carrier. The familiar scent should be able to keep them calm. You may also take the cloth out when the vet conducts the check-up.
Make sure ceiling fans are turned off inside the room as well. Any loud noise can make them nervous. For a stress-free visit to the vet, make things comfortable and familiar for your cat. Toys can help. Regardless if you’re bringing toy mice, strings, or even a small box, an active and playful cat is a happy cat. Keep your pet preoccupied by bringing his favorite toy.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask the vet questions.
If you think you’d embarrass yourself by asking the vet stupid questions, don’t be. Vets are used to all kinds of questions, and they were trained to know what to answer and how to answer them.
Also, if there’s someone you’d like to ask about pet-related queries, your vet is the best person to ask. Proper vet-endorsed cat care advice can help you overcome the little and big challenges of being a pet parent. You can ask what vaccinations your cat needs or what other things you need to know about to raise a healthy cat such as diet, grooming, and even litter box training.
5. Bring cat treats.
Unless you’ve been asked by the vet to withhold food, it’s always a good idea to reward your well-behaving pet with small treats. Aside from making your cat happy, you’re lowering the chance of a restless cat by feeding him. Just think of this like you were giving a child a lollipop for behaving well in the doctor’s office. It’s a quick trick to secure a more comfortable vet visit, especially when you’re going for the first time.
Most importantly, don’t forget to prepare yourself. It’s so easy to get flustered over your cat’s first visit to the vet. After all, when you’re only a first-time cat parent, there are many things you’ve only heard for the very first time. They could be overwhelming. These tips would help you get through your firsts as a cat parent. There’s no need to worry. Relax. The calmer you are, the calmer your cat is also going to be.
The post Taking Your Cat to the Vet for the First Time: What You Need to Know! appeared first on Lifegag.