7 Ways to Calm Your Cat Before a Vet Visit
Key takeaways:
It’s normal for cats to get scared when they go to the vet. Some cats may even become aggressive.
You can calm your cat before a vet visit by getting them used to their carrier and tiring them out with play and exercise.
If your cat needs extra help to ease their stress, ask your vet about antianxiety medications like Xanax.
Table of contents
Many pets get anxious when they go to the vet. But cats in particular seem to stress over getting into a carrier, riding in a car, and being poked and prodded by unfamiliar people. So if your fur baby appears out of sorts, you’re not alone.
Here, we’ll look at why cats get anxious before and during vet visits and what you can do to help them feel less antsy.
How to calm your cat before their vet appointment
Cats should go to a vet at least once a year. But what should you do if your cat resists because they’re anxious? These tips can help you calm them before a vet appointment.
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1. Familiarize your cat with the carrier
Introduce your cat to the carrier a few days before their appointment. Add familiar items to the carrier like a favorite toy, blanket, or treat. This may get your cat to associate the carrier with things they love.
2. Create a calm environment
Pack familiar items like cat toys and blankets for the car ride, and play calming music. Once you arrive, keep your pet away from other animals in the waiting room or cover the carrier with a towel.
3. Tire them out with play and exercise
Play with your cat before their appointment. They may get tired enough to sleep or rest on the drive.
4. Use calming aids
Pheromone sprays contain chemicals that are calming to cats. Try spraying pheromone on a blanket or T-shirt about 10 to 15 minutes before it’s time to go. Then place the pheromone-infused item in their carrier.
5. Stay calm and positive
Many cats can sense when their human is afraid. If you remain calm and speak to your kitty in soft, confident tones, they may feel better about going to the vet.
6. Wait in your car
If your cat doesn’t like to sit in waiting rooms, wait in your car until you’re called. This will give your cat more time to relax with you in a safe, quiet space.
Catnip tips: A bit of catnip can go a long way toward calming a stressed cat. Learn more about the benefits (and risks) of catnip for your cat.
Chill pill: Your cat may need extra support for situational anxiety. Read about Xanax, a medication that vets recommend to ease short-term fear in cats.
Stroke symptoms: If you notice your cat stumbling and tilting their head, they may be having a stroke. Here’s what to do.
7. Ask a vet about medication
If your cat’s anxiety is hard to manage, talk to a vet about medication. The FDA has not approved anxiety medications for cats. But veterinarians prescribe them off-label. Common options include Xanax and gabapentin.
Why does your cat get scared before a vet visit?
Cats get scared before and during vet visits for a variety of reasons. It’s important to understand that cats feel safest in their home or territory. They also feel more comfortable around people they’ve bonded with, not strangers. Veterinary visits take cats out of their comfort zone, and this can cause anxiety.
Common anxiety triggers around vet visits include:
Riding in a car
Being in unfamiliar surroundings
Being around other pets
Experiencing new sounds and smells
Sitting in a carrier
Being examined
Having pain or discomfort
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Frequently asked questions
Vets deal with scared cats in a variety of ways. Some have cat-only entrances and waiting areas. Others dedicate certain days or times of day for cat appointments. If your cat gets jittery before vet appointments, call ahead and ask for accommodations.
Yes, you can give your cat catnip to calm them before a vet visit as long as it’s OK with the vet. However, catnip agitates or overstimulates some cats. Introduce catnip to your cat several days before the appointment to see how they react.
The bottom line
It’s normal for cats to get anxious before and during a vet visit. But it can make regular checkups nerve-wracking for you and your pet.
To ease their stress, you can try introducing your cat to their carrier before their appointment. You can also place familiar items like a favorite toy or blanket inside the carrier. If your cat is overly anxious, talk to a vet about using catnip, pheromone sprays, or antianxiety medications.
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References
Alberta Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.). How to get your cat to the veterinarian stress free.
Beata, C. (2005). Territoriality, sociality: Updating cat's behavior. World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress Proceedings, 2005.
Calder, C. D. (2024). Enhancing well-being by minimizing stress. DVM360.
Cats Protection. (2022). How to make vet visits less stressful for your cat.
Erickson, A., et al. (2021). A review of pre-appointment medications to reduce fear and anxiety in dogs and cats at veterinary visits. The Canadian Veterinary Journal.
Gerken, A., et al. (2024). Correlation between aggression at the veterinary clinic and problem behaviors at home for cats in the USA. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.
Ross University. (2024). 5 tips to keep your cat calm at the vet.
University of Illinois. (n.d.). How to prepare your pet for a veterinary visit.
