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Image courtesy of Laura Cassiday, Certified Cat Behavior Consultant

If you have a cat that gets nervous at the veterinarian’s office, you are not alone. Your cat leaves the safety of home and enters a world full of odd smells, new noises, and people they do not know. For them, it might feel like being dropped onto another planet. Even the most laid-back cats may become tense or hide when they feel stressed. With some small changes, a trip to the vet does not have to be so overwhelming.

The Five Pillars in Practice

The Five Pillars of a Healthy Feline Environment, recommended by the AAFP and ISFM (now FelineVMA), offer practical tips that caregivers and clinics can use to help cats feel more comfortable. Here is how you can put those ideas into practice with your own cat:

• Give your cat a place to hide: A cozy nook, covered bed, or even a towel draped over a carrier lets your cat retreat and feel protected when things get stressful.
• Focus on positive, consistent, and predictable handling. Low Stress Handling® means calm, steady movements and allows your cat to stay in control. This helps your cat predict what is next and makes everything less scary.
• Keep the environment smelling familiar. Cats have sensitive noses, so keeping things clean and free of strange or strong smells matters. Pheromone sprays and a blanket from home can be a big comfort.
• Allow for play and natural instincts: Giving your cat a chance to chase a toy or play can lower stress. Wand toys, food puzzles, and similar toys can comfort and distract your cat.
• Spread out the essentials and make sure they are easily accessible. When your cat has options, they feel safer and more likely to use them.

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Image courtesy of Laura Cassiday, Certified Cat Behavior Consultant

Safe Spaces in the Clinic

Cats feel much more secure when they have places to hide or perch, preferably up high or out of sight. This gives them an opportunity to survey their surroundings and choose where they feel more comfortable. In a clinic, these safe spaces might include:

• Cat-only waiting areas or specific appointment times just for cats, so you can avoid noisy dogs or crowded places.
• A sturdy, covered carrier that opens from the top or has removable sides so your cat can stay inside during the exam if that makes them more comfortable.
• Simple comforts such as a small hiding cubby, a shelf to perch on, or a towel draped over the carrier can go a long way toward helping your cat relax.

Handle with Care

A gentle approach makes a difference:

• Staff trained in Low Stress Handling® know how to read your cat’s body language and spot early signs of stress.
•  Using minimal restraint helps your cat stay calm. Often, your cat can remain in the carrier for much of the exam or be covered with a towel or blanket for comfort.
• Doing routine procedures in the same order each visit helps your cat know what to expect.
• If your cat is still afraid or anxious, a sedative may be used to help them feel safe and more relaxed.

Respect Your Cat’s Sense of Smell

Cats experience the world through their noses, so familiar scents are comforting.

• Synthetic pheromones sprayed in the exam room or on towels, blankets, and mats can help your cat feel at home.
• Bringing your cat’s favorite blanket or towel from home adds another layer of comfort.
• Skip the strong-smelling cleaners or air fresheners in the examination room. They can be overwhelming for cats.

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Image courtesy of Laura Cassiday Certified Cat Behavior Consultant

Play and Predatory Behavior

Giving your cat a healthy outlet for their instincts helps to channel your cat’s nervous energy:

• Interactive and wand toys, or plush mice, can distract your cat and provide mental stimulation.
• Food puzzles or lick mats can keep your cat happily engaged.
• Using food from home ensures their special dietary needs are met.

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Image courtesy of Laura Cassiday Certified Cat Behavior Consultant

Multiple Separate Resources

Most cats want their own space and essentials without competition.

• Clinics can create separate spaces for waiting, exams, and treatments or use staggered appointments to help cats avoid dogs and other animals.
• Examination rooms should have spots for your cat to hide, rest, or explore. 
• Shelves or raised spaces for carriers in both waiting rooms and examination rooms can make things less chaotic.
• Perches, cubbies, or towel-covered carriers give your cat options to feel safe.
• Separate blankets or mats for every cat, and removing scents from past visits, help reduce territorial stress and fear.

Designing the exam room with cats in mind makes veterinary visits less scary and lowers stress for everyone involved.