Hello, two-legged readers! Lucinda the literate cat is with you on this post to discuss an issue that affects many cats and their two-legged family. It’s a rare cat that accepts a visit to the vet with calmness. I am a fortunate cat, as I’ve learned to read. Therefore, I understand much better than most cats why such visits are even necessary. It’s hard to describe the value of such vet trips to another cat, because our cat vocabulary does not have a word for “vet” or “veterinarian” or even “doctor.” Our communication system was not designed to include such words or concepts.
Letters To Lucinda
In this issue of “Letters to Lucinda”, I will try to explain to an anxious cat the reasons for these visits and will give you two-leggeds some suggestions as to how you might make such visits a bit easier for your cat to handle. I will use two letters received in my mailbox to highlight the problem.
Our first letter comes from Shasta, a lovely little female with whom I am acquainted. She has trouble understanding why her loving two-leggeds put her through the torture of these visits. Here’s what she has to say:
Our First Letter
Shasta: In many ways, I am a lucky cat. I have a good home, two-legged companions that I care for a great deal, plenty to eat and great places to sleep, toys to play with, and lots of love and attention. However, my two-leggeds do one thing with some regularity that I do not understand, nor do I enjoy it. They take me to a place they call the “vet’s.” First of all, just being there is scary. I see lots of animals and can tell that some of them are in pain. I can smell the fear on them. We don’t want to be there!
Then we go in a little room to see this vet, and the two-legged does things to us that further frightens us and sometimes hurt us a great deal. For example, they stick slender pointy things into our bodies that sting and burn or they force us to eat what they call “pills” when we don’t want to. Our two-leggeds seem to think this treatment is fine, but I for one are very glad when we can leave.
Mostly, I trust my two-leggeds, but this treatment makes me wonder if I really should be so trusting. Why do my two-leggeds put me through such stress and torture?
Lucinda Replies
Lucinda: Don’t feel like you are the only cat that goes through this experience, Shasta. Many of us do, and we don’t enjoy it. However, if you could just understand why your two-leggeds put you through such trauma you might be able to handle it better. You see, they are really trying to help you. These places are meant to treat injury and disease and restore you to health, or keep you healthy, even though it doesn’t make sense to you. The things that this vet does to you are all for your well-being, and it is unfortunate that your two-legged can’t explain in a way you understand.
Perhaps someday someone will find a way to explain to you cats so you do understand. Your two-legged should do everything possible to make the experience less stressful. Meanwhile, you must be a strong cat and know that these visits are made in your best interest. Don’t stop trusting your two-leggeds; just try to endure the experience and put it behind you when it is over. If you have been feeling unwell, you may note a change for the better after that visit. Know that the intent is good, even though the experience is not.
Letter From A Two-Legged
Our next letter comes from a Mrs. Amy Carrington, who asks this question about the vet visit trauma. Here’s what she says:
Whenever I have to take my cat to the visit, either for a routine check-up or for a vaccination or treatment for sickness, he becomes extremely stressful and hard to handle. Can you give me some suggestions that might make the experience a little less frightening for him?
Lucinda’s Answer
Lucinda: Thank you for your question, Mrs. Carrington. Many cat parents deal with the same difficulty. It’s too bad we can’t communicate in some way that allows you two-leggeds to explain to us cats that you do not intend harm, and instead, are trying to help. Here are a number of things you can do that make the experience easier.
First, determine what kind of personality your cat has. If he/she is overly nervous, keep the carrier covered when your feline is inside, as it adds a bit of security. If you have one of us who is curious and outgoing, perhaps letting us see where we are going works better.
Travel with Ease: A Stress-free Trip to the Vet
Get him/her used to the carrier before going anywhere. Leave it open in a sunny spot, put in a cushy bed, and put some favorite treats in there now and then, to encourage your furry friend to spend time in there. When you do go to the vet’s, make sure to take a supply of treats to add a bit of pleasure to the visit.
The carrier itself should be roomy enough for the cat and needs at least two entrances and exits. It needs to be easy to open. Keep it clean. Perhaps you can spray bedding and cover with pheromones to help lessen stress. Also, if you add a piece of clothing or something that smells like home, it could be helpful. We cats are all about reminders of our own secure place.
Before your vet trip, take your four-legged friend on car rides. They can be short — perhaps just a block or two at first. Getting used to riding in the car can in itself be trauma to us if we are not used to doing so.
A Calm and Compassionate Vet Experience
Stay calm your own self. We cats can often recognize from your facial expressions if you are stressed. That makes us more apprehensive. If we can see that you are calm and in control, it will be easier for us to react the same way. Be sure to give lots of loving cuddles.
Sometimes we cats don’t react well to strangers. It’s a good idea to get us used to interacting with two-leggeds besides family members, as meeting new ones will then be easier.
You might keep the radio off during the trip to the vet’s. Or, you can play a cassette of music designed especially for us cats to enjoy. Yes, such a thing exists! We might really enjoy the journey if our ears fill with sounds we especially like.
Talk to your vet ahead of time to get a recommendation on such things as calming sprays to be used during the visit. And, be sure to stay calm your own self, so your cat can mirror his reactions after yours.
Please Don’t Even Consider Declawing
I do want to make one strong request. PLEASE do not take your cat to the vet to have him/her declawed! This visit would be a serious mistake! It’s such a bad thing that some places have already outlawed the practice.
We cats often accept voluntary bondage to you two-leggeds in exchange for the benefits you offer. However, we have not agreed to having our bodies altered just for your benefit. We come with certain tools that we use to make our lives easier and more productive. One very important tool is our claws. We use them for self-defense; for climbing; for grasping objects. We take pride in keeping them honed and ready for use at all times. If you remove them, we consider that cruel and unusual punishment. You would be deserving of a complete loss of our precious trust.
When a cat is declawed, it’s not some little minor thing like claw-clipping. It’s major surgery! The vet cuts through the joint to amputate part of our toes, from the last knuckle out to the tip of the claw. The procedure is extremely painful, and some cats really never recover from the process.
Think of this: If there were a law that said that you had to have your fingers cut off at the first joint once you reached maturity, would you like it? I don’t think so. We relinquish a great deal of control of our lives when we move in with you. It’s up to you to see that this giving-up on our part is honored by treating us in the best possible way in exchange for our sacrifice. I repeat: DON’T DECLAW YOUR CAT!
Try To De-stress The Vet Experience As Much As Possible
Work with your cat friend. Find ways that help remove stress and make the vet experience less scary. Get him used to the carrier and the car ahead of time. Stay calm. Learn what tricks you can use to make the whole thing easier on both your cat and you. If you put out some effort, even though we have a language barrier, you will go a long way toward making your feline family member more at ease. Put yourself in his situation — how would you feel? What could make these necessary trips easier to handle? Most of all, give as much love and understanding as you can.
Here is an excellent video that will emphasize the negative results occurring from declawing:
References I used for this post:
https://www.catster.com/felines-weekly/how-to-make-a-vet-visit-less-stressful-for-your-cat/
https://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/7-tips-to-make-vet-visits-less-stressful-for-cats
https://www.webmd.com/pets/what-to-know-about-declawing-cats