PREPARING YOUR CAT FOR A VISIT TO THE VET

Posted On 27th October 2021 By Glenina Vets In Articles /   No Comments

We want to provide the best possible experience for your cat (and you!) when you visit us. One thing you can do is to ensure that your cat gets to the practice in a calm state of mind. The following tips will help you prepare your pet and reduce stress.

Clever cat at Glenina veterinary clinic

Allow your cat to become used to the cat carrier at home

Getting your cat into their carrier can sometimes be the biggest challenge of all! It’s important that your cat sees the carrier as a safe space, rather than only associating it with potentially unpleasant experiences. This process can begin weeks or months in advance of bringing your car to the vet.

  • Choose the correct carrier – we can advise you on options. The best carriers are those that open from the top and the front, and can also be taken apart in the middle.
  • Well in advance of your appointment put the carrier out and place their food bowl beside the carrier. Over the course of a few days, gradually move the food bowl closer and closer, until it is inside the carrier.
  • Put your pet’s favourite toys or bedding near or in the carrier.
  • Put some of your cat’s bedding into the carrier to create a comfortable resting place.
  • Spray the carrier with a suitable pheromone product several times a day, before feeding and 15 minutes before you travel.
  • If you fail to succeed with the above, start by putting the carrier in a small room with few hiding places. Bring the cat into the room and close the door. Move slowly and calmly. Do not chase the cat to get it into the carrier.
  • Encourage the cat with treats to walk into the carrier.

Schedule your appointment appropriately

  • Speak to a member of staff about bringing in your cat during a quiet time. It may be possible to arrange an appointment when only cats are being attended to.

Ensure your cat is comfortable in the carrier

  • Put a blanket or towel in the carrier to pad the bottom.
  • Put an extra towel in the carrier so that the cat can burrow underneath it if he/she prefers to hide.
  • Place a blanket or towel over the top of the carrier.
  • Carry the basket by holding it underneath; try to avoid carrying it by the handle on the top. This will help to keep it stable, reduces the chance of the carrier banging against door frames etc, and will also make your cat feel more secure.
  • Make sure that the carrier is secure and kept level when placing it in your car.

Prepare the car for the journey

  • Adjust the car to a comfortable temperature before travel.
  • Spray the interior of the car with a suitable pheromone product* 10 to 15 minutes before travel
    Peaceful Transfer
  • Position the car as close as possible to the door of of your home to shorten the carrying journey in the cat carrier.
  • This will also apply when you arrive at the veterinary practice.
  • Ensure the transit to and from the car is as peaceful as possible.
  • Avoid transporting the cat carrier when there are dogs in sight or barking nearby

Bring your cat in hungry

  • This helps to limit nausea in the car and also means that you may be able to use food treats, to distract your cat, during the veterinary examination.

Give yourself plenty of time

  • If you’re rushing and feeling stressed, your cat will too.
  • Drive slowly, particularly when going around corners and try to avoid sudden manoeuvres.

Returning home (for multi-cat households)

  • Sometimes odours from the vet practice can be brought back by the returning cat and can result in it no longer being recognised by its comrades.
  • Conflict between the returning cat and its housemates can be minimised by leaving the returning cat in the carrier for a few minutes to see how all of your cats react. If all looks ok, then the returning cat may be released.
  • If not, keep the cat in the carrier and separate for a minimum of 24 hours (providing feed and water in its carrier) while it regains the ‘smell of home”. Using a synthetic feline pheromone product can help in this process.

If you have any further questions about bringing your cat to the vet, please do not hesitate to get in contact with the team at Glenina Veterinary Clinic.

Philip McManus Glenina Vets Galway
Vet Philip McManus with one of his favorite customers!

Thank you to our R.V.N Anna, for providing all of the helpful tips in this blog post.

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Thinking of getting a second dog? Here’s some things to consider before successfully growing your four legged family.

Posted On 4th August 2021 By Glenina Vets In Articles /  1 No Comments

So, you’ve got yourself a dog and everything is going perfectly. You couldn’t imagine a love as pure and honest as the love you have for your dog and they for you. Now, you’ve got the best idea, why not get a second dog!?

Before you start thinking of names for the latest addition to your four legged family, there are a few things you should consider before taking that next step.

Is your current dog out of puppy-hood and completely trained and bonded to you?

  • Is your current dog out of puppy-hood and completely trained and bonded to you? It’s often twice as difficult for one person to train two young dogs at the same time. Young dogs may also bond to each other and be less likely to create a strong bond to you.
  • What’s the age of your current dog? Many older dogs who may be suffering from arthritis and other age related illnesses may not appreciate a bouncy young puppy when they are trying to rest and recuperate.
  • What kind of dog do you want to add to your family? Is your current dog large or small? Do you have space for two dogs? Can you walk two dogs at once? Some breeds of dog e.g. Siberian Husky, Labrador Retriever may be very energetic on a lead so adding another one may complicate walking times.
  • How much time do you have to focus on puppy socialisation/training? Training a new animal may not be as quick and efficient as some people think and also some animals pick up some commands /training methods quicker than others. However, consistency is key.
  • The most important factor to consider is the financial constraint of having two animals. You will be feeding two mouths now instead of one. You will have increased cost associated with bringing two animals to the vet, e.g neutering costs, vaccinations, etc.
  • Are you in rented accommodation? If so, then most people cannot guarantee that their landlord won’t cease their letting contract and leave you looking for a new place to live, which can be challenging as most rented properties do not allow pets.

Thank you to Charlene O’Donnel R.V.N, who put together this post as this is a common query we get at Glenina Veterinary Clinic and also through our social media channels. Hopefully, this blog post will help you make your decision about getting a second dog.

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