Cats miss appointments far more often than dogs, and the reason is almost always the carrier. Fixing the carrier fixes most of it.
The carrier should live in the house
If the carrier only appears on the day, it means something. Leave it out permanently with a familiar blanket inside and food occasionally left in it. A cat who sleeps in the carrier is a cat you can take to the vet.
Choose a carrier that opens at the top
Top-opening carriers let us lift a cat out gently instead of tipping or pulling them. Better still, many can have the top removed entirely and be examined sitting in the base, which is far less stressful.
On the day
Cover the carrier with a towel in the car and in the waiting room
Use the raised cat area to the left of our reception, away from the dogs
Tell reception if waiting is going to be difficult: you can wait in the car and we’ll come and get you
Bring them hungry if we’ve asked, and bring a favourite treat
What we do at our end
We book cats into quieter slots where we can. Nadia will usually sit on the floor and let a cat come out in its own time before anything happens, because a cat who has decided the room is safe is a cat we can actually examine.
Not sure whether this needs a visit?
Call us on (555) 018-4400 and describe what you’ve noticed. Our nurses triage these calls all day and there’s no charge for asking. If it’s outside our hours and you’re worried, call [emergency hospital name] on [number].
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. Nothing here replaces examining your specific animal.
Related service
Wellness exams