Be prepared when you take your cat for their first trip to the vet. Having answers to basic health questions can help. This will also help you stay focused on getting the best care for your feline.

The ASPCA offers tips from Louise Murray, DVM from “Vet Confidential: An Insider’s Guide to Protecting Your Cat’s Health”, offers a vet-visit questionnaire that can be helpful to you and kitty on a first-time visit or an annual exam.

• How long have you had your cat?
• Where did you get your cat?
• Has your cat been vaccinated? If so against what diseases? (It might help to have the dates, as well)
• What brand of pet food do you use
• Is your cat’s appetite normal? How much does kitty eat?
• How much water does your cat drink?
• Is your cat urinating and defecating regularly? Does kitty use the litter box ever time?
• What kind of cat litter do you use?
• Is your cat displaying any of the following symptoms: coughing, sneezing, vomiting or diarrhea?
• Has your cat gained or lost weight recently?
• Have you noticed any significant changes in your cats behavior? (vocalizing more, seeking more attention, acting more  aggressive?
• Does your cat go outside?
• Has your cat had a serious health issues? If so, how was he treated?

If your cat gets stressed when going to the vet, try keeping the carrier out in kitty’s living space for a few weeks prior to the visit. Put some of his favorite food or treats in it so he will associate the carrier with good things. Carry kitty around a bit and take him for a ride around the block. This familiarity will help eliminate the stress of the carrier and the ride to the vet’s office.

How have you prepared to take your cat to a new veterinarian? Did you have the cat’s health history forwarded to the new vet? Did you have notes? And how did you cope with the battle to get kitty into the carrier?