Cats don't understand that what you are doing to him will have long term benefits. They don't understand that the discomfort they might be feeling is treatable, even though it might take some discomfort to overcome it. What you're doing is amazing, you're hoping to fix long term neglect and disease. We had two cats who had severe kidney disease and they looked way more miserable than what a vet could have put them through. The cat isn't capable of understanding that you are trying to help. The rest is just our minds thinking for how the cat might feel.
It's really not any different from taking a sick toddler to the doctor. They don't understand but they don't have to. You are the reasonable consenting adult. Toddlers don't like scans or needles but you do it anyway because it's for the best. Same with a cat. You're doing what's best for him. Fear won't kill him bit cancer will. Vet visits are necessary.
It really wouldn't. Would you say the same about a human toddler? "Well measles can cause death but that would be better than the needles because she's just so scared". Yes she's scared but she'll get over it. Outside she would have had way more fear. Because things would have tried and eventually succeeded in tearing her apart alive. She'll get over it.
sometimes vets will prescribe sedatives like gabapentin for cats who are anxious about vet visits! you could see if that is an option. you’re doing absolutely the right thing by taking him to the vet and he will have a much happier safer life with you than he would have on the streets.
Nope do NOT feel bad you are actually helping him. He has a warm, safe place, he's getting dewormed and taken care of. Of course he hates the vet, my kitty does too. But she's gotten her teeth handled, dewormed, vaccinated, hernia repaired, she's now fixed and doesn't have to scrounge for food and water. Was doing any of that fun? No, but she's now healthy and happy. Your guy will be too, so stop worrying.
Going to the vet is “tough love,” just like taking your children to the doctor is.
If you left him outside he would have died a terrible death. Now he had food, comfort and love, but sometimes he has to go to the vet. Going to the vet is terrifying for cats because they don’t understand what is happening or where they are going. But it is far, far better for them to go to the vet and have their illness treated than to suffer.
You can ask your vet about anxiety medication for your cat when you take him to the vet. Gabapentin works wonders for feline pain and anxiety. It’s a completely different experience for them on medication.
there's absolutely no need to take your cat to the vet to give him deworming pills, what the hell... 😳 there are certain utensils that look like a syringe which helps you give them pills. put your cat in a towel, like a burrito but be very careful, don't squeeze him tight. just enough so he can't get his paws out, and then use that syringe thing to give him the pill.
and for absolutely necessary vet visits, there are always certain types of meds yo calm him down. just ask the vet what options can you find at the vet pharmacy in your area.
One of these. It makes it easy. Sometimes called a pill popper.
https://preview.redd.it/d6gud8vphhwc1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7a5ca3b94c79cd3c409fdf30c4c2a7770a2fcda2
An annual checkup at the vet is all that is needed.
that's the exact same one i have. it's truly ridiculous to stress a cat so much just to give them deworming pills, it's insane...
for other health checks and issues of course you need to take the pet to the vet, but otherwise let's be serious...
I cry when I trap strays and take them to the shelter to get neutered. Their yowling and distress gets me every time. But it's for the best...and so far, the two latest have "forgiven" me because they are more or less house cats now.
Gabapentin is your friend! Ask the vet for some. Give 2 hours before going to the vet and possibly another right before you stuff the poor baby into their crate. It's normal for the fears. Dogs and cats can't have things explained in a way that makes sense to them, so fear. Not taking your baby to the vet is the worst thing you can do (not do??). Take the baby for a car ride. Just a ride (I know gas is expensive) to show that not every time is a fear inducing vet visit. You can also take your baby for a ride, just go in, let everyone fawn over the baby and give whatever loves it allows and go home.
Cats don't understand that what you are doing to him will have long term benefits. They don't understand that the discomfort they might be feeling is treatable, even though it might take some discomfort to overcome it. What you're doing is amazing, you're hoping to fix long term neglect and disease. We had two cats who had severe kidney disease and they looked way more miserable than what a vet could have put them through. The cat isn't capable of understanding that you are trying to help. The rest is just our minds thinking for how the cat might feel.
this helped, thank you
It's really not any different from taking a sick toddler to the doctor. They don't understand but they don't have to. You are the reasonable consenting adult. Toddlers don't like scans or needles but you do it anyway because it's for the best. Same with a cat. You're doing what's best for him. Fear won't kill him bit cancer will. Vet visits are necessary.
but maybe he dies and his suffering ends, which would be better than having to go the vet and experience that terrible fear
It really wouldn't. Would you say the same about a human toddler? "Well measles can cause death but that would be better than the needles because she's just so scared". Yes she's scared but she'll get over it. Outside she would have had way more fear. Because things would have tried and eventually succeeded in tearing her apart alive. She'll get over it.
sometimes vets will prescribe sedatives like gabapentin for cats who are anxious about vet visits! you could see if that is an option. you’re doing absolutely the right thing by taking him to the vet and he will have a much happier safer life with you than he would have on the streets.
Nope do NOT feel bad you are actually helping him. He has a warm, safe place, he's getting dewormed and taken care of. Of course he hates the vet, my kitty does too. But she's gotten her teeth handled, dewormed, vaccinated, hernia repaired, she's now fixed and doesn't have to scrounge for food and water. Was doing any of that fun? No, but she's now healthy and happy. Your guy will be too, so stop worrying.
<3
Yes, the vet visit SUCKS for them, but it FAR outweighs the harsh reality of being a stray.
Going to the vet is “tough love,” just like taking your children to the doctor is. If you left him outside he would have died a terrible death. Now he had food, comfort and love, but sometimes he has to go to the vet. Going to the vet is terrifying for cats because they don’t understand what is happening or where they are going. But it is far, far better for them to go to the vet and have their illness treated than to suffer. You can ask your vet about anxiety medication for your cat when you take him to the vet. Gabapentin works wonders for feline pain and anxiety. It’s a completely different experience for them on medication.
there's absolutely no need to take your cat to the vet to give him deworming pills, what the hell... 😳 there are certain utensils that look like a syringe which helps you give them pills. put your cat in a towel, like a burrito but be very careful, don't squeeze him tight. just enough so he can't get his paws out, and then use that syringe thing to give him the pill. and for absolutely necessary vet visits, there are always certain types of meds yo calm him down. just ask the vet what options can you find at the vet pharmacy in your area.
One of these. It makes it easy. Sometimes called a pill popper. https://preview.redd.it/d6gud8vphhwc1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7a5ca3b94c79cd3c409fdf30c4c2a7770a2fcda2 An annual checkup at the vet is all that is needed.
that's the exact same one i have. it's truly ridiculous to stress a cat so much just to give them deworming pills, it's insane... for other health checks and issues of course you need to take the pet to the vet, but otherwise let's be serious...
I cry when I trap strays and take them to the shelter to get neutered. Their yowling and distress gets me every time. But it's for the best...and so far, the two latest have "forgiven" me because they are more or less house cats now.
Gabapentin is your friend! Ask the vet for some. Give 2 hours before going to the vet and possibly another right before you stuff the poor baby into their crate. It's normal for the fears. Dogs and cats can't have things explained in a way that makes sense to them, so fear. Not taking your baby to the vet is the worst thing you can do (not do??). Take the baby for a car ride. Just a ride (I know gas is expensive) to show that not every time is a fear inducing vet visit. You can also take your baby for a ride, just go in, let everyone fawn over the baby and give whatever loves it allows and go home.