cats need veterinary visits, too

For those of us lucky enough to have cats in our lives, bringing them to the vet isn’t always tops on the list of fun things to do. Maybe that’s why Take Your Cat to the Vet Day (August 22) makes so much sense. It reminds cat people that cats deserve veterinary care, too.

It might not feel like a holiday, and “celebrating” might be too strong a word, but it’s certainly something worthy of our attention and action.

Do cats need veterinary care?

Your cat might disagree, but the answer is definitely “yes.”

Cats are known for hiding illness. They’re independent, stoic, aloof (well, a lot of them are, anyway). You could be the greatest pet owner in the world and still not immediately see physical signs that something is wrong with your cat. That’s how they roll, and that’s why preventive care and comprehensive exams are the best tools for early disease detection and treatment.

You probably already know this, but Banfield’s affordable Optimum Wellness Plans® for kittens and cats are designed to give the pet you love the care they deserve – and the peace of mind you want.

It’s easy to bring your cat to the vet. Wait, it’s not?

Some cats love to crawl through cardboard boxes and tuck themselves under blankets. They seem to genuinely enjoy small spaces. So it’s surprising – frustrating, even – that when it’s time to take them out of the house, they staunchly refuse to peacefully go into their cat carrier.

Ahh, cats. What can you say? They’re fascinating, beautiful, soft, entertaining, all-around amazing creatures. But, at the risk of generalizing, they don’t seem to be all that interested in doing what we want them to do. There, that’s a generous way to put it, right?

Three helpful ways to help your cat

After you schedule your cat’s appointment at your local Banfield, here are three ways to make the appointment-day easier.

Get your cat used to the carrier. A few days (or ideally weeks) before your scheduled appointment, put your cat’s carrier in one of their favorite areas of your home. (Note: it can actually be helpful to keep it out in the open all the time as a safe place, feeding station, or sleeping alcove.) Feed your cat meals in the carrier, get them comfortable in there, and when it’s time to leave the house, put their favorite toy or catnip inside and they’ll hopefully be less stressed.

Cover up. Even at drop-off appointments, there can be some hustle and bustle that might frighten your cat. So bring one of their favorite towels or blankets that smells like home and use it to cover the carrier when you’re dropping them off at Banfield.

Ask us about calming products. Our veterinary team can advise you about calming pheromone products that are often effective for managing cat anxiety – including options for using medications at home ahead of time to help minimize anxiety.