How Often Do You Take A Cat To The Vet? Tips For Vet Visits

For a cat, the frequency of visits to the veterinarian varies according to lifestyle. This should be planned in the event of illness. This helps detect severe pathologies. So the Main question is: how often do you take a cat to the vet? 

How Often Do You Take A Cat To The Vet?

Before moving on to other details, let's quickly answer how often you take a cat to the vet. This first control is generally carried out at the same time as the vaccination. This passage is reduced to at least once a year for an adult cat in good health. However, from the age of 7, certain ailments are more frequent. This requires a visit at least twice a year for a specific check.

How To Take Your Cat To The Vet?

Whether it is for an annual visit or a particular health concern, the visit to the veterinarian must be perfectly prepared: 

Before going to the clinic, the first thing to do is to make an appointment with the veterinarian. Give preference to clinics with a waiting room dedicated to cats. When making an appointment, remember to define the purpose of the visit. Do not forget to ask the health assistant about the essentials for the session. 

On D-Day, it is essential to stay calm and relaxed so as not to stress your cat. Do not hesitate to carry out a "rehearsal" of the clinical examination to familiarize him with possible manipulations, particularly at the face, legs, and tail levels. As far as transport is concerned, choose a dedicated crate to provide it with the necessary comfort. 

During the consultation, offer help to the veterinarian if necessary.

What Are The İssues?

Visits to the veterinarian are often neglected, except in case of illness. However, this routine examination makes it possible to detect health problems upstream and, thus, to plan appropriate treatment that guarantees a rapid recovery. Concerning incurable diseases, an early diagnosis favors the implementation of solutions aimed at slowing down the progression of the illness while offering better living conditions.

What Are Visits Essential?

It is essential to know the different types of consultation depending on the reason for the visit: 

The complete health check of his cat: this general examination consists of the veterinarian familiarizing himself with the state of health of his patient, at the end of which he can propose other necessary examinations or prescribe appropriate treatments.

The annual health visit: is a kind of general health check, allowing us to evaluate the general state of the cat and to check if the antiparasitic treatments have been carried out or not.

The medical visit associated with a health problem: an imperative consultation in the presence of a revealing sign requiring examination. Shortly after arrival, a kitten should immediately be examined by a veterinarian.

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Is Your Cat Afraid At The Veterinary?

We got the answer: how often do you take a cat to the vet, but what will you do if your cat is afraid of the vet? Of course, a visit to the veterinarian is a must for all pets. The cat must consult a veterinarian at least once a year for routine examinations. But sometimes, these visits cause stress for your cat, which can spiral out of control, making the visit ineffective and unthinkable. Luckily, there are a few tips to relax your cat for their visits to the vet.

Even if your cat is not fearful, certain stimuli inspire him with fear. He can then completely change his behavior and sometimes even be very aggressive.

You should know that, generally, your cat hates noise, such as that of your vacuum cleaner. In addition, he dislikes everything unknown to him: consultations can be traumatic since he finds himself in contact with other animals in an unfamiliar place. Finally, a cat has his habits, and he does not appreciate that they are upset.

If your cat is scared, he will hide somewhere, so you don't drag him outside. His fear can even paralyze him. Often his hair stands on end, his pupils dilate, and his ears stick to his skull.

If you observe these signs in your cat, try to calm him down so that the visit goes well for him, you, and your veterinarian. 

How To Calm Your Cat Before A Visit To The Vet?

It may seem simple, but it's essential: your cat needs to live in a peaceful place where he can flourish. 

This means having accessible kibble and water bowls, a balanced diet, clean litter, a cat tree, and some toys.

Your relationship with your cat should be healthy, avoiding sudden movements in his presence and unpleasant noises. 

A cat can be accustomed to visits to the vet very early on. You can get your kitten used to be in the presence of strangers, which will later familiarize him with his veterinarian: this phase is also called “socialization.” Also, do not hesitate to gradually expose it to external elements such as noise or other animals.

As for transport, leave a cage available in the house. It will serve as a hiding place, and he will associate it with a familiar place, avoiding travel anxiety. You can even choose a cage whose lid can be removed: your cat could thus comfortably remain in place during consultations!

Finally, make several trips to your vet's office so your kitten gets used to the ride without panic attacks. You do not need to consult; just make the trip with your companion. The aim is that he does not systematically associate his medical visits with an unpleasant experience - like when he is in bad shape. 

Precautions You Should Take

Attention, it is imperative that when you transport your cat, it is in a transport box provided for this purpose. Taking him in your arms or taking him out with a leash can be dangerous because a terrified animal is unpredictable. 

You can play a little with your cat to relax before departure, but be careful not to excite him either!

Your cat is also very sensitive to your emotions, act normal in his presence and do not coddle him more than usual, or he will suspect something and run off to hide. Stay calm to soothe him: if he senses your stress, he will replicate your emotional state.

Discuss your cat's anxieties with your veterinarian before the consultation. Then, he can advise you by directing you to soothing sprays or distributing tranquilizers for your feline. By knowing in advance what he will be dealing with, your veterinarian can also make some preparations in his office so that the consultation goes smoothly.

Allow sometime before leaving to make sure you arrive in time for the consultation and that your efforts have not been in vain.

Finally, if you have the possibility, prefer morning appointments because the wait will be shorter and the exposure to sick animals stimulating stress less. In other words, your cat's ordeal will be quicker! 

Five Tips For Reassuring Cats Who Are Afraid Of The Vet

Does your cat start shaking or meowing like crazy as soon as he realizes you're taking him to the vet? It's normal; veterinary clinics are filled with strange smells and people, which can be particularly stressful for our feline friends. And let's not talk about the presence of their worst enemies: dogs! In addition, your cat may sense your stress and associate this place with a negative feeling. But rest assured, there are a few tips to soothe your hairball before and during each consultation and avoid ending the day in a bloodbath.

Pheromones

Before bringing your cat into his transport crate, do not hesitate to spray it with pheromones 30 minutes before. These hormones have a particularly soothing effect on cats. Similarly, remember to install a blanket or clothing impregnated with your smell or the smell of the house in his crate.

Treats

If your cat is greedy, don't feed it several hours before visiting the vet. Thus, when he is in his transport crate or on the consultation table, you can distract him by giving him his favorite treats. 

If he's hungry, he should indulge, and you'll both have a much nicer time than usual!

Be Calm

To prevent your cat from stressing out, you must be relaxed. Throughout the journey, act as if nothing had happened while talking to him gently. Your feline must feel that this is only a formality, not an event. 

Likewise, you should avoid any loud noises that might startle your cat. So, on the car trip to the vet, don't put on any music. And once you arrive in the waiting room, sit down, if possible, in the quietest corner, with your cat's crate on your lap.

Also, do not hesitate to place a cloth on his crate to prevent him from seeing what is happening around him; this could help calm him down, the darkness helping him feel more secure. 

Handling

If your cat hates going to the vet because he doesn't like being touched, the only solution is to desensitize him. For this, you must accustom him to being handled during brushing, for example.

 Every day, try to feel it on different body parts, like a veterinarian, while gradually increasing the level of manipulation. And above all, do not forget to reward him with a treat at each stage!

Transport crate

The transport crate being the only way to transport your cat to the veterinarian, the latter must be a real refuge for him. Therefore, for your furball to feel comfortable in his cage and thus reduce stress during transport, you must leave his crate at home. And all year round! 

Indeed, seeing her every day will allow her to get used to her presence and consider her as a familiar object, not an object of torture. Likewise, do not hesitate to leave small treats inside and a soft blanket daily so he can make it his favorite place to nap.