Bringing Your Cat To Country Grove Veterinary Clinic

Many cat owners are all too familiar with “the chase” that ensues as soon as the cat sees the carrier.  Hopefully, these tips and suggestions below will help create a more pleasant trip for both you and your kitty.

Reducing the stress of transport
  • Socialize kittens to the carrier and to travelling:
    • Keep the transport carrier out and accessible in the home.
    • Create and maintain a positive association with the transport carrier by making it a comfortable resting, feeding or play location.
    • When feasible, and if the cat is neutral or favorably inclined to car travel, encourage owners to take the cat on periodic car rides paired with positive experiences.
  • Withholding food prior to travel may prevent motion sickness, increase interest in treats at the clinic, and is beneficial if blood is to be collected.
  • Apply a calming synthetic pheromone to, and/or place familiar clothing from a favorite person in, the carrier on a routine basis and just prior to transport. We recommend Feliway.
  • Provide cover/hiding options in or over carrier (eg, blanket draped over carrier) during transport.
Helping your Cat Become Comfortable with the Carrier
  • Leave the cat carrier out. Leave it in a location or room where your cat spends a lot of time. You want your cat to become comfortable with her carrier, so leave the cat carrier out and make it part of your home. Hopefully, your cat will begin going into her carrier often and see the carrier as part of her space in your home.
  • Handle your cat appropriately.  If you need to place your cat into her carrier, it is best to carefully scoop her up with both hands and support her bottom. You want your cat to trust you when you pick her up. So, you want to handle your cat carefully and not cause her pain or fear. Many cats also have arthritis in her neck or back, so proper handling is important to avoid causing your cat pain.
  • You need to treat your cat respectfully and carefully. If you drop or shove her into the carrier, she may try to bite or scratch you out of fear. If you are desperate to get your cat into her carrier, toss a blanket over your cat, wrap her like a burrito – being careful not to pull the blanket too tight – and slide her into the carrier. It’s similar to swaddling a baby.  Place familiar soft bedding inside the carrier that includes your scent to help your cat feel more secure.   Place treats, catnip, or toys into the carrier to encourage your cat to enter the carrier voluntarily.
  • Line the bottom of the carrier.  Your cat prefers a soft place to sit. Try placing a blanket in the bottom of the carrier and spraying it with a feline facial pheromone, so is not as scary of an environment.
  • Be patient.   When you try too hard and change your behavior, your cat can get suspicious. Instead, put catnip and toys in the carrier. With patience and time, your cat should come around.
Choosing a Cat Carrier

When you choose a carrier for your cat, we advise you select one that is durable, safe, easy-to-clean, and designed for your cat’s needs.

Here is information to consider when you are looking for the perfect carrier for your cat:

Impact Protection
  • Look for a one that is sturdy and made of an impact-resistant material, like plastic or fiberglass.
  • Ensure the carrier can be positioned safely in your vehicle on a level backseat and secured with a seat-belt around the front of it.
Entry and Exit to the Carrier
  • Look for one that has both a top and front opening, so you can easily place your cat in, and remove them from the carrier.
  • Carriers that come apart and allow the top half to be removed are helpful.  Your cat to remain in the bottom while your veterinarian examines them. Many cats feel more secure and experience less anxiety when they remain in their carrier during the exam.
  • Make sure your cat can easily walk in and out of it, so she can come and go as she pleases.
Visual Shield/ Privacy & Ventilation
  • Cats like privacy, so look for a carrier that offers some kind of visual shield. This makes it less likely for your cat to experience motion-induced anxiety or stomach distress. (You can also place a towel over it to help reduce your cat’s stress when you go to unfamiliar places. Just make sure you can still carry it with one hand on top and the other underneath.)
  • Make sure the carrier has at least two sides with holes or mesh for ventilation.
Visually Attractive
  • Ensure the it is attractive so you are comfortable leaving it out in your home.
  • When you leave the carrier out in your home, your cat becomes comfortable with it and sees it as part of her space or territory.
Cleaning
  • Look for a carrier that is easy-to-clean and has a leak-proof bottom.
  • Also, make sure you can easily place a comfy (and absorbent) towel or other material at the bottom.