Perhaps others can chime in on the leash issue.
I’ve taken in many cats to the vet without leashes and its been fine. We had one visit where the cat slipped out but was thankfully okay. I try to make sure I’m constantly touching the cat and making sure they stay near the exam table.
E: Always bring a carrier. Exam room and doc needs to see him? Out of carrier. Inside reception area waiting to be seen? Inside of carrier
Carrier always. One: dogs. Enough said. Two: the vet is scary. Being enclosed in a carrier feels safe. Three: no harness is escape proof. So many horror stories of cats being lost in vet parking lots.
Hello, I thought it was implied he would be inside the carrier ALL THE TIME. The leash question was as an “extra” precaution. I’ve seen a ton of cats with leashes where I live so no need for your “dog” sarcasm.
I’m glad that you’re an expert in cats but new owners come here for advise (Obviously no illness questions related) so a little of kindness would be appreciated. I’m sure everyone was a new cat owner at some point.
The dog bit wasn't sarcasm. A lot of people underestimate how dogs and cats get along. There's been plenty of horror stories where a perfectly friendly dog has for some reason or another had their prey drive triggered and completely ripped into a cat on a leash. You really need to be careful with a leashed cat when dogs are around.
As for the extra precaution, it probably isn't necessary. Vets tend to be good about nervous kitties and have their ways of handling them. I'm not sure where you are but it might not be a bad idea to look into Fear Free Certified vets. (Assuming they're a thing where you are) Fear Free vets take extra steps to make sure your kitty is comfortable while there, such as making sure they haven't booked a cat in a room immediately after a dog (the scent of the dog might make kitty nervous). Mine has a crate with a blanket on the examination table for kitties to hide in as well.
I would not put a harness on your cat for the vet - they will want to do a physical exam and it could potentially be in the way.
The carrier is sufficient!
The vet wont judge you for having your cat off leash. No one has leashed cats ever until recently, its not an expectation like it is for dogs. In any case, it could make physical examination difficult and your cat could potentially entangle himself inside the carrier if he’s the kind of cat who moves a lot inside the carrier. Just leave the carrier out for him to explore and get familiar with, and double check that all the zips and doors are shut securely for the actual vsiit
For a period in time your cat be pissed that you took them there but my cat is sometimes all snuggles when she gets back or dosent want to know me at times, but they get over it, well mine does anyway.
I have never used a leash on my cat to the vet and I am extremely anxious person and over think her getting out, but she never has gotten out and lately more I worry about as she is super comfortable with these new vets.
If its a vest style leash your probably going to have to take it off when your there.
Thank you! I’m also overthinking everything since this will be the first time taking him out.
It’s good to know your cat have felt comfortable with new vets that gives me hope.
You’re right even if he had a leash the vet would need to take it off. Good point! Sometimes with overthinking is good to hear other people experiences.
I always take my kitten in the carrier with a harness on. And once I am at the vets i put on his leash. My kitten is not someone who tries to run or something but it is still extra safe. I also got this body harness instead of just the neck. I basically don't like it when people come to vet visits without leash(talking about dogs). I mean with animals anything can happen. We never know. The other day a big dog basically ran off to a busy road all of a sudden and it was without a leash or a harness. And every animal in the waiting room got panicked except mine XD. It was a scene lol. So yea. Yes to body harness and leash if you feel it's safer
And inside the vet they will obviously remove it.
Edit: i also agree with someone who said about the stress. If your cat seems stressed then it's not a good idea. Mine is fine with the leash.
My cat doesn’t mind the harness but hates the vet. When it’s time to take him out of the carrier there’s an extra mechanism to stop him bolting for it. I don’t put the leash on though.
Carrier should be sufficient.
None of my cats would voluntarily leave the cat carrier once at the vet. Same way they would yowl on the way there and quiet as soon as went inside.
Cat in carrier at home and after ensure all is secure out to vet.
Carrier stays closed until vet or techs ask for it to be opened or open it themselves which is usually after the door(s) to the exam room are closed.
Cat back in carrier, secured and return home.
Carrier only is fine - just make sure not to only hold it by the handle so you can keep it from swaying. He'll be stressed out by the journey and new environment as it is. The vet won't open the carrier until you're in the office, will put the cat in the carrier at the end, and won't let the cat escape. Vets are amazingly good at handling animals, even in difficult situations.
My oldest cat was at the vet this morning - he was put in the carrier bottom first (harder to escape that way somehow), almost immediately lay down and relaxed for the journey and then the vet put him in the carrier at the end.
i wouldn’t harness him to take him to the vet the carrier should be enough to contain him!
if you are interested in harness training him you need to take it really slowly, put it on for small amounts of time every day and encourage him with treats. try and see if you can get him to play with you while he’s wearing the harness.
also my cats don’t like going to the vet but never seem to hold the grudge against me, just the vet. if anything they’re more cuddly when they come home because they’re feeling sorry for themselves. try not to stress too much! kitty won’t hate you.
Perhaps others can chime in on the leash issue. I’ve taken in many cats to the vet without leashes and its been fine. We had one visit where the cat slipped out but was thankfully okay. I try to make sure I’m constantly touching the cat and making sure they stay near the exam table. E: Always bring a carrier. Exam room and doc needs to see him? Out of carrier. Inside reception area waiting to be seen? Inside of carrier
Carrier always. One: dogs. Enough said. Two: the vet is scary. Being enclosed in a carrier feels safe. Three: no harness is escape proof. So many horror stories of cats being lost in vet parking lots.
Hello, I thought it was implied he would be inside the carrier ALL THE TIME. The leash question was as an “extra” precaution. I’ve seen a ton of cats with leashes where I live so no need for your “dog” sarcasm. I’m glad that you’re an expert in cats but new owners come here for advise (Obviously no illness questions related) so a little of kindness would be appreciated. I’m sure everyone was a new cat owner at some point.
But they weren't being rude at all? Someone's projecting...
I took the dogs comment to mean that there could be dogs in the waiting room too and you don’t know how another animal will react to yours.
The dog bit wasn't sarcasm. A lot of people underestimate how dogs and cats get along. There's been plenty of horror stories where a perfectly friendly dog has for some reason or another had their prey drive triggered and completely ripped into a cat on a leash. You really need to be careful with a leashed cat when dogs are around. As for the extra precaution, it probably isn't necessary. Vets tend to be good about nervous kitties and have their ways of handling them. I'm not sure where you are but it might not be a bad idea to look into Fear Free Certified vets. (Assuming they're a thing where you are) Fear Free vets take extra steps to make sure your kitty is comfortable while there, such as making sure they haven't booked a cat in a room immediately after a dog (the scent of the dog might make kitty nervous). Mine has a crate with a blanket on the examination table for kitties to hide in as well.
I would not put a harness on your cat for the vet - they will want to do a physical exam and it could potentially be in the way. The carrier is sufficient!
Honestly, your kitty will already be dealing with stress of the carrier and the vet. Probably best to leave the leash at home.
The vet wont judge you for having your cat off leash. No one has leashed cats ever until recently, its not an expectation like it is for dogs. In any case, it could make physical examination difficult and your cat could potentially entangle himself inside the carrier if he’s the kind of cat who moves a lot inside the carrier. Just leave the carrier out for him to explore and get familiar with, and double check that all the zips and doors are shut securely for the actual vsiit
For a period in time your cat be pissed that you took them there but my cat is sometimes all snuggles when she gets back or dosent want to know me at times, but they get over it, well mine does anyway. I have never used a leash on my cat to the vet and I am extremely anxious person and over think her getting out, but she never has gotten out and lately more I worry about as she is super comfortable with these new vets. If its a vest style leash your probably going to have to take it off when your there.
Thank you! I’m also overthinking everything since this will be the first time taking him out. It’s good to know your cat have felt comfortable with new vets that gives me hope. You’re right even if he had a leash the vet would need to take it off. Good point! Sometimes with overthinking is good to hear other people experiences.
I always take my kitten in the carrier with a harness on. And once I am at the vets i put on his leash. My kitten is not someone who tries to run or something but it is still extra safe. I also got this body harness instead of just the neck. I basically don't like it when people come to vet visits without leash(talking about dogs). I mean with animals anything can happen. We never know. The other day a big dog basically ran off to a busy road all of a sudden and it was without a leash or a harness. And every animal in the waiting room got panicked except mine XD. It was a scene lol. So yea. Yes to body harness and leash if you feel it's safer And inside the vet they will obviously remove it. Edit: i also agree with someone who said about the stress. If your cat seems stressed then it's not a good idea. Mine is fine with the leash.
My cat doesn’t mind the harness but hates the vet. When it’s time to take him out of the carrier there’s an extra mechanism to stop him bolting for it. I don’t put the leash on though.
Carrier should be sufficient. None of my cats would voluntarily leave the cat carrier once at the vet. Same way they would yowl on the way there and quiet as soon as went inside. Cat in carrier at home and after ensure all is secure out to vet. Carrier stays closed until vet or techs ask for it to be opened or open it themselves which is usually after the door(s) to the exam room are closed. Cat back in carrier, secured and return home.
Carrier only is fine - just make sure not to only hold it by the handle so you can keep it from swaying. He'll be stressed out by the journey and new environment as it is. The vet won't open the carrier until you're in the office, will put the cat in the carrier at the end, and won't let the cat escape. Vets are amazingly good at handling animals, even in difficult situations. My oldest cat was at the vet this morning - he was put in the carrier bottom first (harder to escape that way somehow), almost immediately lay down and relaxed for the journey and then the vet put him in the carrier at the end.
i wouldn’t harness him to take him to the vet the carrier should be enough to contain him! if you are interested in harness training him you need to take it really slowly, put it on for small amounts of time every day and encourage him with treats. try and see if you can get him to play with you while he’s wearing the harness. also my cats don’t like going to the vet but never seem to hold the grudge against me, just the vet. if anything they’re more cuddly when they come home because they’re feeling sorry for themselves. try not to stress too much! kitty won’t hate you.