- Choose a quiet time to visit.
- Tell our friendly reception team if your pet is very anxious.
- Cover your cat’s carrier with a blanket or towel.
- Reflect on your own emotional state – if you are worried your pet will be too. Try to resist the urge to calm your pet – just talk to them normally as you would at home. Staff at the surgery won’t think you’re mad as we do it too – even with deaf cats!
- Familiarise your pet with the cat basket by leaving it out around the house and sometimes placing food treats inside it.
- Spray pheromones (such as Feliway) into the carrier.
- Get your cat used to being handled – start with kittens by doing things such as getting them to allow you to touch their feet and examine their mouths.
- Visit the surgery in advance and think about your strategy – check there is a separate waiting area for cats.
- Avoid putting the cat basket on the floor – cats are usually less frightened if placed on a chair our surface allowing them some height.
- Find a vet who uses “Fear- Free” techniques – look for vets who give your cat time to acclimatise to the surroundings and then handle him or her gently.
