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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask how you take your cats to the vet?

49 replies

ChocolateCakeForDinner · 03/08/2019 12:25

I may sound like a bit of a sook here, but my rescue cat has to go to the vet next week for his vaccination and a check up. Bit of a back story, his last family adopted him and had him for 2 weeks then gave him back, because they had a baby and couldn't cope with a new cat as well. We've had him for 3 years now

Unfortunately, whenever he leaves the house, it's like he thinks he's being given up again and he screams in his cat carrier and pants like a dog. It breaks my heart to see him so scared. Any ideas how I can make this vet trip more comfortable for him?

OP posts:
IShouldBeSoLurky · 03/08/2019 12:27

Cover the cat carrier with a blanket. They feel more secure like that.

dementedpixie · 03/08/2019 12:28

One of the vets I went to had blankets to put over the carriers that were sprayed with feliway.

Original poster
ChocolateCakeForDinner · 03/08/2019 12:32

Ooo that's a good idea DementedPixie, I might buy some Feliway

OP posts:
RainOrSun · 03/08/2019 12:32

We picked the vets closest to the house, to minimise distance.
He hated every single journey.
Closed in box, with carpet offcut in the bottom, so he could grip it. Make the trip as short as possible - so turn up in the nick of time, and ring beforehand to see if they are running late.

Gingerkittykat · 03/08/2019 12:35

One of my boys is like this, not a rescue just hates the vet.

He is actually fine sitting on someone's knee in the car, he just looks out of the window. Obviously only works if there are two of you.

He always knows when it is home time and is calm on the way home.

Banananananas · 03/08/2019 12:40

Could someone hold him while he's wrapped in a towel and feed him yummy treats the whole way?
If you're really worried he'll escape, you could put a harness and lead on him too. Most cats use passive resistance and flop.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 03/08/2019 12:41

With my pets, I have webbing straps* to hold their carrier firmly in place so they can go on the front seat beside me. I put the opening of the carrier facing me so I can see them, and I chat to them. They still hate it but at least they know I care Grin

*Seat belts don't seem secure to me. I have two webbing straps per carrier. I wrap the straps vertically around the car seat (under headrest, down the back, through the gap between seat back and base) then over the carrier.

pinkstripeycat · 03/08/2019 12:42

Be careful having your car lose in the car in case he/she gets scared and goes by your feet.

Defo pick nearest vet for shortest distance

DisplayPurposesOnly · 03/08/2019 12:42

Could someone hold him while he's wrapped in a towel and feed him yummy treats the whole way?

Really not safe!

AnAC12UCOinanOCG · 03/08/2019 12:42

Keep the carrier around all the time so it becomes less scary, rather than putting it away between visits. You can even put a blanket in and see if he'll start using it as a hidey hole.

There's some evidence for Feliway as a calming spray but it probably won't make much difference and it's pretty expensive.

In the end he's probably always going to hate going to the vets. I try to call mine for advice and ask if it's really necessary to bring the cat in, to minimise the number of trips.

AnAC12UCOinanOCG · 03/08/2019 12:44

P.S. Do NOT let him loose in the car! Not only is it illegal but it invalidates your insurance. I can't believe there are people on the thread who think that's okay.

Original poster
ChocolateCakeForDinner · 03/08/2019 12:46

I like the idea of webbing straps, unfortunately DH is in Scotland for work, kids will be with him staying at their grans so I'm on my own with this one. Don't trust him to not climb all over me when driving so cat carrier is a must I'm afraid

OP posts:
Banananananas · 03/08/2019 12:47

I said put a harness on him, calm down.
My cat isn't loose in my car, he just gets very annoyed.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 03/08/2019 12:50

I said put a harness on him, calm down.

Thats still loose, unless you mean a seat belt harness.

WiddlinDiddlin · 03/08/2019 12:51

Keep your cat carrier out and treat it as your cats best hidey place, feed treats in there, spray it with Feliway, put catnip stuff in there.

Once your cat will go in the carrier willingly, start to shut the door for just a second, pair that with something VERY tasty poked through the door.

Open the door BEFORE your cat struggles to get out!

Build up the time slowly, get your cat used to the carrier being covered, being lifted, being moved around, being put in the car.

Most cats don't like it, because most cat owners never bother to teach their cat to associate the carrier with anything other than scary fearful experiences.

tenterden · 03/08/2019 12:53

Mine is like this - nothing stops him wailing like a banshee and pissing and/or soiling himself Sad

I believe you can get a vet to do a home visit but it's £££££

DisplayPurposesOnly · 03/08/2019 12:54

According to Google, the webbing straps I use are called cam buckle straps.

SilverySurfer · 03/08/2019 12:56

My old cat used to go berserk if I tried putting him in a carrier and I didn't blame him, I wouldn't like to be put in a human size one. So I would carry him under one arm, holding his paws. In the car he would sit on my shoulder peering out of the window then back under my arm to carry him into the vets.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 03/08/2019 12:56

Oh yes, like PP my carriers are out all the time so they can pop in and out any time they like.

They don't mind the carrier, they hate the car and the vets...

JustDanceAddict · 03/08/2019 12:59

My vet is 2 mins in car and it’s a once a year job so she just has to put up with it, last time I had to wait in the vet and she hated it but I talk to her and try to keep her calm. No cat likes being in their carrier but its a safe way to transport them.
A blanket is a good idea though, will try that for the cattery journey.

Cheeringmeup · 03/08/2019 13:03

Our cat was like this - cried inconsolably the whole way to the vets, pacing around in his carrier. Then, when our carrier got damaged and we had to get a new one, we got a soft-bodied one with a shoulder strap (kind of like a holdall) so I could more easily carry him on my own. He loves it and settled straight away, no more trauma! It has mesh sides so he can see out, but he feels secure. Might be worth a try?

RedForShort · 03/08/2019 13:06

Mines like this too. I've a top loading carrier (small dog one) with a blanket inside sprayed with feliway. Think I'll try it on the outside next time

He just hates it.

AnAC12UCOinanOCG · 03/08/2019 13:12

My cat isn't loose in my car,

If he's not loose then I'm not talking to you. Calm down.

Justsocross · 03/08/2019 13:13

Try popping a calm collar on the day before vet visits . I find this one good . And feliway spray etc

To ask how you take your cats to the vet?
DontCallMeShitley · 03/08/2019 13:14

Rub a tiny bit of Bach Rescue Remedy into his ear the night before, and put some into his drinking water. If you take him in the afternoon, then rub it in first thing. Just a couple of drops on your fingers and on to the tip of his ear. He might go sleepy so be prepared to tell the vet what you did.

I used to use Feliway spray in the carrier but it never did anything really, it also seems to have changed strength after the cock up with the diffusers a few years back and I don't really trust it any more as it has the potential to render a big strong cat almost senseless. It may be fine for yours but it wasn't for our current boy.

I always sit in the back of the car with the carrier but if you are driving then put him in the front. I find they get less upset if they can see out of the window, if that is possible. And talk to him.

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