Taking Your Cat to the Vet Is Necessary, But It Can Also Be Fun!

As a practice with certified Fear-Free professionals, Cat Care of Vinings goes to great lengths to ensure our feline patients are comfortable while they’re with us. It is our privilege to care for your cat and we take everyone’s emotional well-being into consideration during your pet’s appointment. To that end, we provide a calming environment throughout our hospital, apply careful handling techniques that minimize stress and anxiety, and customize each visit to the needs of the individual cat.
A huge part of the fear-free equation is the at-home preparation needed prior to coming in with your cat. We know it’s not always easy to get your cat to the vet, but together we hope we can change what the veterinary experience means to our feline friends.
Bringing Your Cat to the Vet Starts at Home
Many cats do not receive the veterinary care they need to live long, healthy lives. This can be explained, in large part, by the fear and stress associated with bringing your cat into the vet. Because these negative emotions have an overarching effect on every facet of wellness, it’s critical to create a stressless visit. Luckily, there are important strategies to get your cat to the vet without incident.
Make Friends Out of Foes
The best place to start is to familiarize your cat with their travel crate. Begin by leaving the crate open and making it an attractive place for your kitty to explore. Soft, cozy bedding, enticing toys, and their favorite snacks are all important. Be sure to offer encouragement and praise when they enter the carrier and/or hang out inside it.
Set up the crate in a place that’s away from disruptive foot traffic or noise. If possible, a warm, sunny spot will easily draw them in. Set it up next to their food and water bowls so they can begin to make positive associations with the carrier.
Once they adopt their travel carrier as one of their favorite snoozy spots, start to add on the top half of the crate or the door. These changes should never be abrupt and always reverse course if your cat begins to shun the carrier.
This process can take time. Be patient and stay optimistic that this crucial step will make all the difference to your cat’s lifelong health and wellness.
Make Car Rides Fun!
Once your cat accepts their carrier you can begin to provide opportunities for them to enjoy travelling within it. Take them inside the car for a short time. You don’t even have to go anywhere at first. Simply give them lots of reassurances, and a treat or two won’t hurt either!
Slowly build up how long you hang out together in the car. Then, take them for short drives around the block. Make it fun. Hopefully, you’ll be able to easily bring your cat to the vet after training then.
We recommend that the first time you bring your cat in to meet us, we simply get acquainted. A wellness visit without vaccinations or even a physical exam may set the tone for relaxed, happy visits down the road.
Other Tips
Depending on need, you might not always have a choice on when to transport your cat to the vet. Otherwise, it’s usually best to travel between meals. Motion sickness can upset a cat with a full stomach, and the result can be lasting.
Bring Your Cat to the Vet
We love when you bring your cat to the vet, and are here to help ease any stress or fear. If you have additional questions about how your cat can enjoy their regular visits, please let us know.
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Cat Care is exactly what it says. The whole office is geared toward all felines… There are cat trees, and cat friendly furniture throughout. But is what is more important is the feline expertise…
Knowledgeable, caring vets and a very supportive team. Highly recommended based on my personal experiences…
…more information than the previous…places… Also,…we did not feel like they were pressuring us into paying for expensive procedures that may or may not work… [They] actually showed care and concern for our kitty…
Dr. Michael Friedlander is experienced, capable, kind, and caring with my cat and with me. Her staff is also excellent. Besides the excellent care for my cat, Michael also educated me on what I need to do to take care of my cat, such as vaccinations and heart worm prevention. This is a top notch feline veterinary hospital with a top notch staff!
The veterinarians and staff here are very professional, caring and thorough (they check for things other vet clinics don’t). They genuinely love their clients (i.e. cats)…
I was shocked at how little we knew even after more than a decade of cat ownership and regular vet visits. I really can't say enough about how thrilled we are with Dr. Palmer and Cat Care of Vinings. We just feel so fortunate to have you in our lives and are most grateful. Thank you all for all that you do! :-)
At Cat Care of Vinings, every person…demonstrated care. Everything was well explained… I received phone calls updating me on his progress and asking how he was after I took him home. They are compassionate and knowledgeable about cats and that is what really matters.
CCV is a warm, quiet environment that helps my nervous cat feel more comfortable… The vet techs and office staff are skilled, helpful and friendly. A+
These people love your pet almost as much as you do… This seems less like a business and more like a labor of love. [They]…always keep you in the loop of what is happening…and put both you and your pet at ease…providing first rate care for you cat.
…We must say that Dr. Jennifer Palmer…is the BEST. Her medical experience, bedside manner, candor, and quest for knowledge…is immeasurable. She goes beyond the call of duty to ‘reach-out’ for answers and health options you may not be aware of.
Where do I begin? There are so many positives about Cat Care of Vinings…this entire practice is on a whole other level… The environment is relaxing and the staff are comforting and supportive.
The Vets have taken time to know and understand both my kitties. All clinic staff are caring, knowledgeable, and generally first rate.
I have had cats my whole life and have used many veterinarians over the years. Cat Care of Vinings provides the best care I have ever received for my 'kids' - cats
The quality of treatment and unbelievable care with which my kitten was treated are priceless to me especially as kitten moves into her later years. I wouldn’t take her anywhere else.
I am extremely fortunate to have taken her to Cat Care of Vinings… They take time to listen…answer questions, offer guidance…compassion, and give frequent and welcome updates.
This veterinary clinic changed my cat's entire life…[he had] severe dental problems… I was reluctant to…do the procedures… I cannot stress how happy I am… Everyone treats the cats with love and care, and they treat the people with respect and offer great advice.
The staff are always welcoming and hospitable. Doctors will go out of their way to make sure your cat is taken care of and comfortable. They always return your calls and even call to check up on your cat after an appointment.