Thursday, January 19, 2017

Book Review: My Cat Hates My Vet!: Foiling Fear Before, During & After Vet Visits by Amy Shojai


Sashi was the first cat I adopted as an adult, a 9 year old tuxie beauty who was brought to the shelter because of "family issues". They had left her medical records with the rescue group and I was pleased to see she had received regular medical care with a wonderful cats-only vet about a half hour away. Since they knew her so well I decided to remain with the same vet even though it wasn't at a very convenient location and I knew the trips would be a nightmare. (I had a pretty good idea how car rides were going to go when she shredded the cardboard cat carrier I was given to bring her home from the shelter.)

For 3 years we made the trip for each wellness exam and each year her stress level became progressively worse. The last time we got home she went into the bedroom and lay down flat on the cold floor for over an hour. She had done such a number on herself that I honestly feared she was going to have a heart attack. That was when I realized we needed to make a change and looked into a house call service. It was a good choice for Sashi given her aversion to car rides but as she got older and developed health issues we were very limited as to the amount of testing and care available to her. (This was in the days before mobile vet clinics rolled right up to your door.)

How I wish a book like this had been available to me back then.


HALT THE HISSES!

We want to provide the best care possible for our beloved cats, but what do you do when your kitty turns into a wildcat at the vet? Cats visit veterinarians less often because their owners hate to see them upset and afraid of the cat carrier, car ride, and stranger handling.

MY CAT HATES MY VET! packs prescriptive advice into a short how-to guide that offers step-by-step instructions to help your cats learn to LOVE the vet, accept the cat carrier, and tolerate car rides--and get the medical care they need and deserve. This is your definitive guide for foiling feline fear. From one of America's best known pet care authorities, you'll learn:

*7 Reasons Cats HATE The Vet
*12 Ways to Soothe Fear
*Best Carriers & 8 Cat Crate Tips
*9 Calming Cat Car Ride Techniques
*How to Choose the Best Veterinarian
*What are Cat Friendly Practices & Fear Free Clinics
*Ways to Stop Cat-to-Cat Aggression After Vet Visits

With a fun conversational tone and easy proven techniques, MY CAT HATES MY VET! helps ensure your loving bond remains strong and intact.


A 2013 study conducted by Bayer HealthCare and the American Association of Feline Practitioners showed only half as many cats get annual checkups as dogs. Reasons vary from the perception of cats being more independent as less needy than dogs to the informal way cats come into many people's lives ("the cat showed up at my door") without instruction on proper vet care. (People who acquire a cat from a breeder or shelter are more likely to receive annual checkups.) And a full 58% of the respondents stated that travelling to the vet clinic - their cat's fear of being placed into a cat carrier and transported by car - led many owners to rule out travel altogether.

This does NOT need to be the case. This clever "quick tips" guide provides a plethora of proven techniques to make life easier for both you and your cat when a trip to the vet is in order, from practices you can start implementing right away in preparation for the big event to the day of the visit, right down to calming techniques in the vet's office and how to avoid turmoil once you're back home between the unfortunate soul who went to the "stabby place" and the lucky ducks who didn't.

This is a book that every cat parent should have in their arsenal of tricks, and one that veterinarians would be wise to promote to their clients as well! It's in everyone's best interest to make each trip to the vet as stress-free as possible.


Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

15 comments:

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

We all travel fairly well. Angel sings the song of her people unless mom sings silly songs to her!

Summer at sparklecat.com said...

This sounds like an AWESOME book... and since the author is Amy Shojai, who is a veteran cat expert, I KNOW it is!

Unknown said...

A much-needed book for many of us! Real Cat Webster hates, Hates, HATES being put in the carrier to go to the vet.

The Florida Furkids said...

We're pretty good about going to the VET. We sing a big in the car but our VET is only 3 blocks from our house.

The Florida Furkids

The Menagerie Mom said...

Oh, I really need to pick up a copy of this for Eddy's sake. Although I do the whole leave the carry out thing, putting treats and toys in it, trying to make it a fun and happy place, Eddy still never ceases to think that thing is the devil incarnate. She actually did better this year than last year, but she still pitched a good fit at first, clawing at the cage door after I closed it, trying to it as if it wasn't made of thick metal. So, I think this is just the book for me! Thank you so much for sharing this with us, Mudpie and Melissa!

The Island Cats said...

The mom needs this book. Zoey is impossible at the vet despite everything the mom does to try and make it easier for her.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Melissa!

AmyShojai said...

Thank you so much for the kind words, everyone! I'm a huge fan of veterinarians and good cat care (as are all cat parents!) just want to make it easier for us all.

Two French Bulldogs said...

Every kitty owner should read that one BOL
Snorts,
Lily & Edward

PL Keenor said...

That sounds like a great book for people whose cats get stressed during a visit to the vet. I'm lucky that I live fairly near a vet and my cat is pretty laid-back about visits.

http://www.mochasmysteriesmeows.com/

Priscilla King said...

Another reason people may not be comfortable discussing, but I will mention...Pet food costs money (and lugging it in costs some effort). Vet visits cost money (and effort). People may have the money and/or energy to feed a cat, rather than a dog who may also have come to their door, because the cat is a smaller animal. People in that category may skimp on vet visits if the cat doesn't seem to be ill and rabies hasn't been found in their area recently, because they're low on money, on energy, or on both.

I help other cat people with the energy, and other people who do and don't live with animals help me with the money. Many are the cats who'd be homeless if we hadn't worked out deals!

pilch92 said...

That sounds like a book that should come with every adoption.

Three Chatty Cats said...

Sounds like a great book!

The Swiss Cats said...

That sounds like a pawsome book ! Purrs

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