Getting Your Cat to the Vet

by Marjorie Dorfman | More from this Blogger

This is no easy task either for you or your cat. Whoever called cats "dumb animals" was not referring to the moment of truth when one must put the animal in the carrier and whisk it over to the veterinarian. The very moment that eye contact is made with the cat carrier a myriad of things happen: the cat knows "it's" the enemy, that you are on "its side" and that it is every cat for him or herself under the bed as quickly as possible.

No amount of catnip or cajoling will help ease the situation once the cat decides that there will be no vet visit today. I am always amazed how my cats can hide so effectively and God knows where they go! I think they slide into the wall sometimes because a thorough search reveals nothing with more than two legs until AFTER I BREAK THE APPOINTMENT with the vet because I cannot find the cat!

Dumb animals? I don't think so. I think maybe I am because it took me a while to figure out that the carrier might be both the connection and the problem. Now I put it out in plain feline sight the night before the vet visit so that it becomes a familiar object to play in and trip over. Still, one cat may even sleep in the carrier the night before the vet's visit, but when it comes time to close it on V-Day, (like D Day only no victory) there's only one chance or the same fiasco is sure to occur.

The next time I make an appointment with the vet, I am going to ask him (maybe even beg him) to come to the house. Maybe then I WILL HIDE UNDER THE BED and let my cats handle things!

Can you get YOUR cat to the vet easily? Please share and HELP!

Learn more about Marjorie Dorfman

Marjorie Dorfman is a freelance writer and former teacher originally from Brooklyn, New York.

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