A vet visit is a stressful experience for many cats. An unfamiliar environment, strange smells, the presence of dogs, and handling by strangers can trigger a strong stress response. Stress is not just uncomfortable — it also affects test results: a stressed cat's blood glucose can rise by up to 10 mmol/L (stress hyperglycemia), and blood pressure can increase by 15–75 mmHg ("white coat hypertension"), making diagnosis more difficult. At Eläinklinikka Saari, we have invested in feline wellbeing and earned the international ISFM Cat Friendly Clinic Silver certification.
Signs of Stress in Cats
A stressed cat shows signs through body language: pupils dilate, ears flatten or turn sideways, the body stiffens and the tail presses against the body. The cat may hiss, growl, try to escape, or freeze in place. Other stress signs include excessive licking, yawning, lip licking, and in the worst case, loss of bladder or bowel control. These reactions are normal — they indicate that the cat perceives the situation as threatening.
Feliway — The Cat's Own Calming Signal
When a cat feels safe, it rubs its head and cheeks against furniture, depositing facial pheromones (the F3 fraction). Feliway is a synthetic copy of this pheromone. It sends a calming message through the cat's vomeronasal organ: "this place is safe." In studies, cats exposed to Feliway spray had significantly lower stress scores than the control group, and 41% of owners reported their cat was noticeably calmer. At our clinic, we use Feliway diffusers in reception and waiting areas and Feliway spray on examination tables and towels.
Cat Friendly Clinic Silver — What Does It Mean?
The ISFM (International Society of Feline Medicine) Cat Friendly Clinic program is an international certification system that sets standards for cat care at veterinary clinics. The Silver level requires a separate waiting area for cats away from dogs, Feliway pheromone diffusers in all areas, a designated Cat Advocate among the staff, cat-friendly handling techniques (scruff-free — we never lift a cat by the scruff), staff training in stress recognition, and a calm environment in hospitalization areas with hiding spots and visual barriers. The certificate is renewed every three years.
How to Prepare Your Cat for the Vet Visit
Leave the carrier out at home permanently with the door open — place a soft blanket and treats inside so the cat learns to associate the carrier with a safe place. Spray Feliway spray inside the carrier (8–10 sprays) at least 15 minutes before placing the cat in — the alcohol must evaporate first. Cover the carrier with a towel in the car and in the waiting room. If blood tests may be needed, fast the cat for 8–12 hours before the visit. Place the carrier on a raised surface at the clinic — not on the floor. At our clinic, you can ask to wait in the cats' own waiting area. In the examination room, let the cat come out of the carrier voluntarily or ask us to open the top of the carrier — we never pull a cat out by force.