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Travelling Sucks!

Travelling isn't for all bloggers...especially when it's to the vets! Cat blogger Purdy explains...

As a blogger for Lowesmoor vets, you’d think I would love going for a visit to the place….No Thanks! Call me a creature of habit but I like my home and have no wish to stray further afield, thank you very much.

Although I’m not keen on going to the vet and will pull a bit of a strop when I have to go, I know there are other cats out there for whom owners have to employ extreme ninja moves just to get them into their carrier and then deal with an incredibly grumpy cat for the rest of the day.

Despite this, I still have a few tips to make your visit that little bit easier for both you and your cat. Let’s start with your cat’s carrier:

It’s so much easier to transport your cat to the vets in a secure carrier which can be easily cleaned. A carrier that opens at the top is very useful as we can be gently lifted in or out. From my own experience, being pulled out of a front-loading basket only adds to my stress levels.

At home, try leaving the cat carrier out permanently where your cat can sleep and hide in it. Making the carrier part of the furniture means that your cat will become more relaxed about getting in and not always associate it with an imminent visit to the vet! It is a good idea to put bedding in the carrier that your cat normally sleeps or curls up on at home, as well as an article of clothing belonging to the cat’s favourite person, as familiar smells will make them feel calmer. Feliway or Pet Remedy can also be sprayed into the carrier a few hours before using it to add to a calmer atmosphere (just thinking about Pet Remedy is chilling me out already). If it is not possible to leave the carrier out all the time and your cat panics at the sight of it, I’d advise to keep calm, as your cat will quickly pick up on stress from you. Keep the carrier close but out of sight. Wrap the cat in a thick towel/blanket that smells familiar. Put the cat and the towel into the carrier quickly but gently (again this is where a top-opening carrier makes life much easier).

Travelling by car:

Secure the carrier you use in a foot well or on a seat so that it cannot move. A bumpy ride in the car will make any cat anxious. Cover the carrier with a towel or cloth during the journey to keep them calm and this can also be sprayed with some Feliway or Pet Remedy. When in the car, try to avoid loud noises such as the radio (although I am a little partial to a bit of Katy Purry myself!!!) You may also find it useful to take some spare bedding which smells of home incase your cat soils the carrier (obviously, I have never done this myself – just something I heard can happen).

At the Vets:

At Lowesmoor House Vets, they have a separate waiting area designated for cats, with special raised places to put the cat carriers on. Alternatively, you can keep the carrier on your lap or on an adjacent chair – us cats feel safer raised off the ground. There are also blankets available which have been sprayed with Pet Remedy to place over carriers in the same area.

Although I cannot guarantee you a totally stress-free visit, adopting these tips can mean that the vets doesn’t have to be a trauma - for either of you!

Remember: Keep Calm & Follow Purdy!

Purdy

xx