Cat Friendly Vet Visits
Visits to the vet are an important part of keeping your cat healthy. However, we understand that getting your cat into a carrier and travelling to the clinic can be stressful — for both of you! The good news is that there are simple steps you can take to make the experience easier and more positive.
What is a Cat Friendly Clinic?
At Belmont Vet Centre, this includes:
- Dedicated cat-only consulting room featuring climbing spaces, hideaways, and calming feline pheromones
- Separate cat hospital ward with feline pheromones and soothing cat-friendly music
- Gentle, low-stress handling techniques designed to reduce anxiety and keep cats comfortable
- Helpful guidance and resources for owners on caring for their cats at home
Bringing Your Cat to the Vet
Regular veterinary visits are an important part of keeping your cat healthy. However, we know that getting your cat into a carrier and travelling to the clinic is often the most stressful part of the experience.
The good news is that with a little preparation, vet visits can become much easier and less stressful for both you and your cat.
It is important to choose a carrier that is safe and secure to avoid your cat escaping. Try to avoid soft fabric carriers, as these can collapse and are hard to keep clean, while ‘backpack’ style carriers can cause excessive movement. A sturdy plastic carrier is preferred and can be easily cleaned. The top half of the carrier can be removed, allowing your cat to be examined while remaining in the bottom half, feeling safe.
Ensure you have enough carriers to have one per cat, as even cats that get on well should be transported in separate carriers (when stressed and confined, they may behave differently).
Many cats only see their carrier when it’s time to visit the vet, which can quickly create a negative association. Instead, try to make the carrier a familiar and safe part of your home environment.
Tips to help your cat adjust to their carrier:
- Leave the carrier out at home with the door open in a quiet area
- Place soft bedding or familiar blankets inside
- Add familiar scents, such as clothing carrying your scent
- Feed treats or meals near or inside the carrier
- Allow your cat to explore the carrier at their own pace
Once your cat is comfortable entering the carrier voluntarily, begin short practice sessions by briefly closing the door and gradually increasing the duration over time.
Travel itself can be overwhelming for many cats. Keeping the journey calm and predictable can help reduce anxiety.
During travel:
- Keep the carrier covered with a towel or blanket to reduce visual stress
- Ensure the carrier is secure and stable during transport
- The footwell behind the front seats is often the safest position in the car
- Maintain a comfortable temperature and good ventilation
- Avoid loud music or sudden movements
- Never open the carrier during travel, even if your cat is vocalising
When carrying the carrier, support it from underneath rather than holding it only by the handle. This helps minimise swinging and movement, allowing your cat to feel more secure.
For some cats, travelling to the vet is extremely stressful despite efforts to improve their experience. This might be due to previous negative experiences or the individual cat’s temperament.
Medications prescribed by your veterinarian can be very helpful to reduce anxiety in cats before vet visits. They can help your cat feel calmer during transport and in the clinic, allowing our team to examine and treat your pet. Reducing stress and fear also helps lower the risk of defensive behaviours such as scratching or biting, improving safety for both your cat and our team.
As a medication alternative, there are natural behaviour supplements which are clinically proven to help relax and calm cats without making them drowsy.
Trial runs of any medications or supplements before visits is recommended to ensure they work well and don’t cause unwanted side effects.
By taking the time to prepare and using these strategies, you can help make vet visits a much calmer and more positive experience for your feline friend — and for yourself! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask our team. We’re here to help make every visit as stress-free as possible.
We're here to help
Every cat is different, and our team understands that some cats need extra time, patience and support during veterinary visits. By preparing ahead of time and using feline-friendly strategies, vet visits can become much less stressful and more positive for everyone involved. You can discuss any concerns with your veterinary team and refer to International Cat Care’s ‘Cat Friendly Clinic’ resources at catfriendlyclinic.org for further information and tips. If you have any questions about preparing your cat for their appointment, our team is always happy to help.
