How do I prepare my cat mentally for neutering?

Question

I have a cat who's ready to be neutered but the last time I brought my other pet cat to the vet, he peed on my lap when I was carrying him during the drive to the veterinary clinic.
How do I prevent this from happening again? I'm thinking of purchasing a transports cage for him but I'm afraid he will start meowing out of fright and try to knock himself out of it. Please advise.

Answer 1

lol. Your cats fear is not of the vet, its of a strange, small, unusual, moving place, called a car. A crate would be best always to have handy when transporting animals. It provides a safer, healthier, happier way to travel, for both you and your pet.

On that note, it is not possible to "prepare an animal mentally" for an opperation. They are not stupid, however, they have no way to logic with you and reason. Therefor, your cat has no clue what is about to happen to him. He can not give you his opinion. He is a cat. Yes, he has rights to live humanely, happily, and healthy, but nuetering is a necessity in the health issues of cats. I would, however, like you remind you to watch his urine after he is nuetered. Many male cats get infections after nuetering within the first year. My suggestion, is to buy a soft food with urinary track care on the label. Iams and Science Diet are both reputable companies and make the best kinds. Though these can be pricey, they are worth what the cost of surgery will be if your cat needs it. Trust me, better to be safe than sorry. This is the best safe-gaurd to prevent your male cat from getting an infection. It won't completely prevent it, but it is a preventative measure, for example, not smoking doesn't eliminate your risk of lung cancer, but it will GREATLY reduce it. This is the same instance. I hope this all helps, and I hope the procedure goes well, as it should.

Answer 2

He is scared of being in the car, not of the neutering! He's not human ...although we all think so from time to time :-)

Anyhow, Put him in a cage with an old towel on the bottom in case he wets it. If he does urinate simply throw it away afterwards. Cats are put in these all the time, he will actually feel safer in it because of the enclosure. My cat will hide in his cage at the vet even when the door is open!
He will be fine during it and will be put to sleep and not even know what is happening.
Cats are much better pets when neuterned /spayed. The males when not neutered will spray the house , and can smell female cats up to 7 miles away. You won't be able to keep him in the house if you don't do it. Also, it will help control unwanted baby kittens.

Answer 3

ALWAYS Put your cat in a solid cat carrier - Cats Should NEVER Be held on your lap or let loose in a car. If you were to get in an accident, having your beloved cat in its solid-sided carrier WILL Save its life!!!
As someone else has already stated, Purchase a good solid carrier w/ a gate front. Place a blanket or towels inside the carrier & Maybe one of your cats toys (for comfort), Put cat inside & Close carrier door (make sure it latches correctly!!)
Your cat IS afraid of car rides - especially if the cats not transported a lot.
There is no way your cat will knock hmself out... maybe just be a bit horse from all the meowing &/or crying from the cars movements.

Answer 4

Please don't be silly. Buy a solid cat carrier, put a blanket inside and put the cat in. He will probably miow as cats generally dislike being in the car, but he will NOT knock himself out of it or anything else. Millions of people transport cats to the vet all the time safely. Do not have a box that the cat can see out of. The darkness of a solid box with just the gate at the front, makes them feel secure. You should never carry a cat loose in the car on your lap. It isn't safe.
I use the small vari kennel type carriers for my cats and use them as beds for them in the house so that they are happy about going to the vets or anywhere else in them.

Answer 5

I don't know where you live, or what the laws are, but i know that in the UK it is ILLEGAL to have a cat travelling loose in the car, they must be restrained for everyone's safety - imagine if he got under the pedals?
Your cat will be fine in a carrier, probably even happier, because he will feel more secure. It is up to you which kind you buy (personally my cat prefers one she can see out of) although some do prefer it darker.

Answer 6

Just pick up one of those plastic cat carriers, make sure you pick up one that the cat can move around in, they also sell small washable padded mats that fit the bottom of the carrier
The thing that works as far as car transport is to put a large towel over the carrier the kitty will feel a bit more secure.
As far as any post sergical advice, Listen to your vet, he is the expert in these matters.

Answer 7

this is all good ideas so im not saying more to that note.. but.. i had my cat fixed 3 months ago and the vet did NOT warn me of how my cat would act AFTER the surgery, so please let me tell you cause this about killed me.
ill just tell what i encountered..

I just brought my cat home and let him out so he could rest on his bed where he sleeps. he was still kinda asleep from the anestetics.. then when it started to wear off he freaked out and started running in backward circles, rubbin his head across the floor * i found out this was cause the neck brace to keep him from biting his wounds* then he wouldnt let me pet him ro comfort him, he wanted away ... was so scary..

my advice is for afterwards, keep him in his cat carrier with a soft towel for at least 2 hours after he comes home so he can adjust to "wakeing up" i later found out that anestetics are like rat poison for cats. only not as strong to kill. waking up from it can be very frightening for him/her so let the cat have some space afterwards. after all that he will be fine, i just dont want ne one to go through what i did, i was totally outta my mind wathcin my cat freak out. hes my baby so i understand wondeirn how to help him deal with this. goodluck

Answer 8

sit him down somewhere quiet and discuss all his options with him, and explain that you're doing this because you love him, and it's in his best interests. Give him half a calmette before you leave and use the plastic sheet. Buy him something special for afterwards.

Answer 9

If your cat gets upset at different surroundings, go to the vet before the day of appointment and see if you can get a mild tranquilizer for kitty.

Answer 10

oh wow.. just dont let him sit on your lap....keep pushin him off if your too worried about putting him in a carrier.
i wish cats could be like dogs and actually like going places, unfortunately that prob happens once in a great while.