Visiting with Cats
Glenolden Animal Hospital would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your cat to our cat-friendly hospital. We understand how stressful it can be to bring your cat into the practice. Our goal is to reduce the stress associated with veterinary visits. We want to create a more positive experience for you and your cat, so they can get the care that they need.
The vet visit starts at home. It’s very important for you as the cat owner to understand how to prepare your cat for their appointment.
Tips on reducing stress when transporting your pet to the veterinary hospital. It is helpful to not feed cats and dogs for 2-4 hours before a trip to the veterinary hospital. This helps with motion sickness and makes our treats more interesting to the pet. We recommend giving Solliquin calming treats for 3 days prior to the visit. The 6 doses can be purchased at the hospital for $10.
For their safety, please bring all cats in a carrier. It is best to have 1 cat per carrier. The carrier should be brought out 2-4 days before the veterinary visit and sprayed or wiped with Feliway (feline pheromone) daily. Every attempt should be made to encourage your cat into the carrier with treats or food.
Choosing the best cat carrier
Training cats into the carrier
Making the carrier cat-friendly
For their safety, please bring all cats in a carrier. It is best to have 1 cat per carrier. The carrier should be brought out 2-4 days before the veterinary visit and sprayed or wiped with Feliway (feline pheromone) daily. Every attempt should be made to encourage your cat into the carrier with treats or food.
Make the carrier cat-friendly. This can be done by placing a soft towel in the bottom of the cage. You can include treats and toys to make the cat more comfortable.
The carrier may be covered with a towel and carried to the car holding the carrier firmly with two hands. Do not carry the carrier by the handle. Keep the carrier level. Less movement is better.
Secure the carrier behind the passenger seat as close to the floor as possible.
When driving play soft soothing music such as classical music or keep the vehicle as quiet as possible and avoid loud noises.
Visiting with Dogs
All dogs must be on a leash. Avoid using choke and pinch collars.
We recommend using Adaptil pheromone spray several hours prior to the visit. This can be sprayed on a cloth or bandana and applied loosely around the neck.
Small dogs can be transported in a carrier. Larger dogs can be secured in the back seat of the car using a crash restraint harness. Go to Center for Pet Safety or Consumer reports web site to choose the best harness for your dog.
Familiarize your dog with the harness well before any trips to the veterinary hospital.
Play quiet soothing or familiar music during to trip and avoid loud noises.
Tips to reduce stress after returning home from a veterinary visit.
Place dog in a sanctuary room or kennel for several hours after trip home and continue to use Adaptil pheromone spray or diffuser.
Place dog in fenced yard alone or take dog for a walk. Allow the dog to quiet down before reintroducing the dog to other dogs in the house.
Remember to call your veterinary professional if your pet does not return to normal after the visit to the veterinary hospital.