Do I need to do anything to prepare for a cat wellness exam?

That can be a bit of a tricky question in some cases, as it depends on your cat. I'd say the majority of cats do not enjoy coming to see us. Even though we like seeing them, they don't want to be here. They're nervous, scared, and they sense things. Sometimes, preparing for a wellness exam will involve things like getting the carrier ready and trying to make it not quite as scary a situation for your cat.

We have things called kitty comfort kits here where they can involve things like Feliway wipes or pheromone sprays that you can use in the carrier to decrease some of their stress. Some cats respond very well to catnip and will relax with that. Having the carrier out a couple of days before your appointment is valuable, letting the cat go in and out of it. Give them some treats in there, and consider using treats on the day of. We also have some medications for some stressed-out cats that may bring things down a notch to help them. So those would be the things I’d recommend to get your cat ready.

Our goal isn't necessarily to completely sedate them. But like some people take some medications to fly, something just to take the edge off can make cats more comfortable. In some cases, we have to flat out sedate them when they get here, depending on the cat. Decreasing stress is a crucial part of it. Otherwise, you want to be ready for your exam by bringing what questions you have. Do you have some concerns? Are there things you want us to address? Have a list of questions or know what you're getting into—having a list of medications that your pet is on, the dosages, frequency, and things that you need like that.

Bring their records and have your questions written down because you could get here and blank and forget what you were going to ask.

Preparing your cat for a wellness appointment starts at home. When cats come into the clinic, it can be stressful for them to be in a new environment with new smells, sounds, and people that they’re not quite prepared for. So reducing stress starts at home on the morning of the appointment. To prepare your cat for a wellness appointment, start by creating a comfortable and stress-free carrier experience for them. Leave the carrier out in an area where your cat can access it easily, and make it cozy with blankets so they can sleep in there like a normal bed. You can also feed your cat in the carrier and give them treats to create positive associations with it. This will make the transition to the vet clinic smoother and less stressful for your cat.

Yes, you need to be able to get your kitty in front of the veterinarian. You just need to be able to bring your cat out to our van. If you don't have a secure carrier, we have one that you can use. It's easy to put your cat in the carrier. Otherwise, you just need to have your cat in a place where you can get them, wrap them up in a towel or put them in a carrier, and bring them out to our van.