The Weekly Wag! Making your cat’s vet visits less stressful

STRESS can have a very negative impact on cats and vet visits can certainly be a trigger for stress. Here are some tips on how to keep vet visits a positive experience for you and your cat.

Make your cat’s carrier a safe, positive space for them. Putting them in the carrier can often be a challenge so it's important to start the process of getting them used to it very early on.

Do this by feeding them near the carrier, and then gradually move to feeding them inside it. Put your cat’s favourite toys and bedding in the carrier to make it a comfortable space for them.

You can also encourage them to walk into it with treats.

When travelling in the carrier, make sure it's kept level in the car, and try to carry it by holding it underneath in order to avoid any swinging or accidental banging off door frames etc.

All of these steps will help your cat to arrive at their appointment feeling calm and comfortable.

The waiting room can be a stressful place for cats, with all of its unusual smells and sounds. Ask a member of staff in your vet clinic about bringing your cat in for visits during quieter times when there might be fewer dogs around. Some clinics may even offer cat-only days.

Try not to feed your cat before their appointment. This will reduce any nausea they might feel in the car, but it will also make them more receptive to treats during their appointment, which will make it a more positive experience for them.

Speak with your vet about their fear-free protocols. This usually involves gentle handling, minimal restraint and positive distractions, and can make a real difference to your cat’s experience.

Finally, consider the use of calming pheromone sprays, or in more fearful cats you can even ask your vet about anti-anxiety medication that you can use before and during the visit.

ASK THE VET

My cat has started urinating in the house, why could this be happening?

Abnormal urinating can either be an indicator of urinary tract disease or can simply be down to stress.

Even the smallest things can trigger stress reactions in cats. Has someone moved in or out of the house?

Are there renovations or building works going on in the house or in the neighbours’ houses? Is there a stray cat that has started hanging around, or is there a dog barking excessively nearby? Has there been thunder and lightning recently, or fireworks? Try and identify any potential triggers that may be stressing your cat out.

If you do feel it is stress-related then you can take action by trying to eliminate the source of stress, and help your cat to deal with it through the use of pheromone diffusers or calming supplements.

Other things to consider - are enough litter trays in the house? There should be one litter tray per cat in the house, and then one extra litter tray on top of that. Have you changed the type of litter recently?

Urinary tract disease should also be ruled out. I would recommend bringing your cat in for a health check with your vet to rule out medical causes of inappropriate urination. Examples of urinary tract disease include cystitis, infections, blockages and crystal formation to name a few.

Signs for you to look out for at home include blood in the urine, straining to urinate, or increased frequency of urination.
Do you have a question for our vet? Send your questions to info@rockhallveterinary.ie

PET OF THE WEEK - BISCUIT (MCCOY) - YORKIE

This is Biscuit, he is four years old. Biscuit has a very bubbly personality, he loves to sit by the door waiting for his dad to finish work every day.

His favourite toy is his tennis ball, and he loves his daily walks. Biscuit, however, got himself into some trouble as a puppy by swallowing a small makeup sponge.

He had to have emergency surgery in Rockhall by Vet Kathy, but, like the sponge, he bounced back to himself in no time.

If you would like your pets featured here, drop us an email on info@rockhallveterinary.ie

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