The “Pre-Vet Scaries” Are Real – These Tips Can Help on National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day

Sarah’s hand hovered over her phone as she stared at the email from the veterinarian’s office. Her finger reluctantly hesitated to confirm tomorrow’s appointment to take her beloved cat, Tilly, for her annual check-up with the vet. The appointment loomed just hours away, and as if on cue, a familiar knot began to form in Sarah’s stomach – the telltale sign of what some call the “pre-vet scaries.”

Across the room, Tilly lounged on her favorite cushion, the picture of feline contentment. As Sarah’s anxiety spiked, Tilly’s ear twitched, one eye cracked open, and her tail began to make nervous swipes. Tilly tilted her head and both eyes were now wide open. Their gazes met, and Sarah could have sworn she saw a flicker of understanding in her cat’s eyes.

“Oh, Tilly,” Sarah sighed, “I guess we’re in this together, huh?”

This scene – a partnering of pet and guardian in a dance of mutual anxiety – plays out in living rooms across America more often than you might think. According to a recent press release from Royal Canin, a leader in pet health nutrition, the “pre-vet scaries” are a very real phenomenon affecting both felines and their human companions nationwide. It’s a shared stress that’s causing more than just sleepless nights; it’s having a significant impact on feline health across the country.

The ‘Pre-Vet Scaries’: More Than Just a Catchy Phrase

The term “pre-vet scaries” might sound lighthearted, echoing the infamous “Sunday scaries” that manifests for many as the work week looms ahead. However, the anxiety it describes is very real and can have serious consequences for both cats and their guardians. There is a feedback loop of anxiety. Cats pick up on their guardians’ stress, which in turn makes them more anxious. This heightened feline anxiety then further stresses the guardian. It’s a cycle that can make vet visits seem daunting for everyone involved. So much so that routine visits to the vet are often skipped altogether.

This mutual stress manifests differently in cats and their human companions, but the root cause is often the same: apprehension about the unknown and disruption of routine. For cats like Tilly, it might be fear of the carrier, the car ride, or the unfamiliar environment of the vet’s office. For guardians like Sarah, it could be anticipation of the challenge of herding their cat into the carrier, concern about how their pet will react to the whole ordeal, worry about their cat’s health, or anxiety about potential medical costs.

The Alarming Impact on Feline Health

This shared anxiety is having serious consequences on feline health. Despite there being over 90 million cats in U.S. households, less than half receive a yearly veterinary exam. Even more concerning, 60% of cat guardians admit they only take their feline friends to the vet when they notice something is wrong.
Cats are masters at hiding signs of pain and illness. By the time a guardian notices something’s wrong, the condition may have progressed significantly. Regular check-ups are crucial for catching issues early.

Breaking the Cycle: Tips for a Stress-Free Vet Visit

In honor of ‘National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day’ on August 22, Royal Canin offers these tips to help combat these “pre-vet scaries” for both cats and their guardians:

• A familiar carrier is key. Using a cat carrier on the journey to the vet is the best way to ensure your cat feels most secure. While your cat’s carrier may not be their best friend, it’s important to familiarize them with their carrier before the vet visit. Keeping the carrier in your living space where your cat feels comfortable exploring it regularly is a great way to ease them into the idea of travel.
• Feline pheromones are your friends. Try spraying pheromone spray in your cat’s carrier, on a favorite blanket and in the car around 30 minutes before leaving for the vet appointment. Pheromone smells can help calm nervous cats because the spray mimics natural calming pheromones. Just remember to let the carrier dry before the cat goes in.
• Practice makes perfect. The more your cat practices traveling, the more familiar it will become. Take practice drives to show them the car isn’t a scary place. Prepare the car by adjusting the temperature, depending on the weather. Listening to soothing music on the drives will make the ride more enjoyable – also, packing their favorite treats and toys won’t hurt either!
• Schedule during slower hours or consider a cat-friendly vet. Vet offices can be busy, so it’s best to schedule an appointment during slower hours to keep the waiting room as empty as possible. If the waiting room is busy, let the veterinarian office know in advance you’d like to wait in the car with your cat until the appointment starts.
• Keep calm and carry on. When you feel stressed, cats can sense negative energy, too. Leave for the vet appointment with plenty of time to spare to avoid the rush. Have patience and speak to your cat in a calm, soothing voice to help deescalate their mood. This will make for a better trip for both you and your cat.

The Bigger Picture

While these tips can help make vet visits less stressful, the most important thing is to make and keep the appointment. Regular check-ups are crucial for maintaining your cat’s health and catching potential issues early.

“As we live our purpose to make ‘A Better World for Pets’, Royal Canin is reminding cat owners that, while your cat may seem healthy, they do a great job of hiding illnesses as a protection instinct,” said Racquel White, Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Royal Canin North America. “Cats need us just as much as we need them, which is why we honor ‘National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day’ annually to encourage all cat owners to schedule their annual appointment.”

To learn more about Royal Canin’s initiative to promote annual vet visits, find out how even sneaky cats expose their health issues, and to download a guided checklist for an upcoming vet appointment visit: https://www.royalcanin.com/us/cats/cat2vet. You can even take a pledge on the site to schedule your cat’s visit and grab a social media badge.

As for Sarah and Tilly? With a deep breath, Sarah finally tapped ‘confirm’ on her phone. Tomorrow’s vet visit might be a challenge. But thanks to Royal Canin, they’ll be armed with these tips and a newfound understanding of their shared anxiety.

Your cat may not thank you for a vet visit, but their health certainly will. And in the end, that’s what matters most in this dance of care between pets and their devoted guardians.