My two cat's hate the drive to the veterinarian office. I'm sure most do. I'm not sure what they hate more the drive to the vet or being sick. I already take them to the closest place to my house, but they meow like the worlds coming to an end. Any suggestions are making them more at ease?
2007-03-01 13:41:37 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
I work in an animal hospital and we see this a lot. I can tell you what has worked with my 2 cats. Take them on rides where you just drive around and go back home or go somewhere that they like. You might need to do this a number of times before you break their association with being in the car and going to the vet. On these rides you can always bring a favorite toy or put some treats in with them. If you keep this up they won't think that every time they go in the car they have to go to the vet, this should ease their anxiety some and break any negative associations they have with rides in the car.
2007-03-01 14:19:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most times a trip to the vets will cause stress to any animal. The things I have ever done is to make sure they are in a carrier, less clawing at my arms and chest the better.
Add a toy to the carrier to aid in distracting the cat.
Carry treats to give the cat if they are not ill.
Turn on the radio to give some background noise for distraction. Some animals actually like music.
Try a towel or blanket over the carrier to help with the feeling of being soothed, comforted.
Lastly, try taking your cats on car rides from time to time so as they do not associate ALL car rides with trips to the vets.
Good Luck! :)
2007-03-01 16:03:34 · answer #2 · answered by Lilly K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I use the inexpensive cardboard carriers that cost around $10-12. My cats seem to settle down in them well as it is dark and cosy and I put a soft towel in the bottom of the box. The boxes fit securely behind the driver's seat of my Honda.
I also use Rescue Remedy or Dr. Jean Hovfe's "Stress Stopper" and put drop on the cat (s) before boxing them up, when they are taken out of the box for the vet's exam and before the trip back home.
You can get Rescue Remedy at most any health food store or order the Stress Stopper from www.spiritessence.com. The price is about the same and either one should help the cats.
2007-03-01 13:52:58 · answer #3 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i agree with the person who said to drive them around every once and a while. what could be a start is getting them used to seeing the cat carrier. if you leave it out and let them sniff and become comfortable with it then they won't get as scared when they see it again. also having a "play therapy" session (where you play with them around the carrier) will help because it will tie in fun memories with the carrier. bringing them to the vet just to visit helps too, so they don't think that anytime they go to the vet will result in getting poked. a good carrier that allows them to see out is good also. if your cats freak out in the waiting room, try waiting in the car so they don't have to go through the waiting room ordeal. and something that would ease them is if you put something of yours that smells like you in their carrier. it will reassure them. such as a sock or shirt. hope that helps. good luck.
2007-03-01 17:24:11 · answer #4 · answered by kamaleialoha 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats are sensitive to vibration and motion unless a car is a everyday part of there environment they will react in fear and look for opportunity's to ex cape or go into a defensive mood caused by fear in a strange place just take it for daily rides to let it get used to the car and pretty soon he or she will be hanging out on the back dash
2007-03-01 13:58:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i admire animals in maximum situations, yet of cats i'm consistently careful. The final one I dealt with basically walked as much as me, in my very own residence and attacked. Drew blood with quite a few rapid scratches and bites after being there for below 20 minutes; %one hundred unprovoked. properly, one reaction left hook later and that cat went bye bye.
2016-09-30 02:18:00 · answer #6 · answered by gazdecki 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hey, Their kids with fur, get two cardboard carriers, lrt them meow, thank God you care enough to get them checked out! Theres a cat downstairs (land ladys) screaming for 6 week's, I know its dying slowly,she wont take it to the Dr. because she dosen't want to upset it! Have mercy and just take them even if they meow, meow!
2007-03-01 13:50:29 · answer #7 · answered by loveyouoshinystar 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
catnip- give them treats in their kennel periodically to let them know the kennel is a good place and well that's all I have none will take away the anxiety of being in the car but it'll be one less thing for your cats to stress over
2007-03-01 13:47:15 · answer #8 · answered by Shawna 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There really is no way around it. I put my cat's fav toy in the carrier with them. I let the window of the carrier face me so that i can speak to them....doesnt matter though.
2007-03-01 13:46:12 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put them in their crates and cover them with a dark blanket. Check with your vet to see if it is safe to give them gravol before the trip. Keep talking to them to let them know you're there.
Maybe its your driving they don't like...j.k
2007-03-01 13:51:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋