How To Keep Your Cat Calm During Dental Visits

Dental cleanings are an important part of your cat’s overall health, but veterinary visits can be stressful for some cats. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help make the experience more comfortable. Don’t let concerns about your cat’s stress prevent them from receiving the dental care they need.

Before the Visit

Here are our favorite tips on how to prepare your cat for their dental exam!

Use Sylvester.ai to Get a Baseline

Before leaving for your appointment, take a photo of your cat using Sylvester.ai to establish a baseline of their comfort level. Sylvester.ai uses advanced machine learning to analyze a photo of your cat in real time and determine if they may be showing signs of discomfort. This can provide a helpful point of comparison before and after the visit.

Familiarize Your Cat with Their Carrier

Help your cat become more comfortable with their carrier by leaving it out during times that are not associated with veterinary visits. You can also make the carrier a more positive space by placing treats and toys inside.

Take Short Practice Trips

Just as carrier training can help reduce stress, exposing your cat to travel before a veterinary visit can also make the experience easier. During and after short car rides, offer treats as a positive reward.

“Familiarizing your cat with the carrier goes a long way. Try putting their favorite treat in the carrier and leave the door open. As your cat goes in, give more treats in the carrier. Soon they will associate carriers with treats and good experiences. Sylvester tip - this works best before their normal feeding time.”

— Dr. Frances Valentine, Lead Animal Behaviorist at Sylvester.ai

During the Visit

Let’s list our favorite tips on how to keep your cat calm at their dental care visit.

Bring a Familiar Item

The scent of a blanket or bedding from home can provide comfort and reassurance during the visit.

Talk with Your Veterinary Team

Make sure your veterinarian or veterinary technician understands your cat’s personality and any concerns you may have about their comfort or stress levels.

Choose a Fear Free Clinic

Fear Free veterinary clinics are trained to provide the best possible experience for pets. Not only do they prioritize your cat’s comfort, but they also use proven techniques to help minimize stress during veterinary visits. Find a Fear Free clinic here.

After the Visit

Here’s how you can help your cat decompress after their dental visit.

Let Your Cat Rest

When you return home, give your cat time to rest in a familiar, quiet location where they feel safe and comfortable.

Use Sylvester.ai to Monitor Your Cat

Take photos of your cat using the Sylvester.ai app during recovery for an immediate understanding of their comfort level. Compare the results against the recovery timeline provided by your veterinarian. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice any unusual behavior or signs of discomfort outside the expected recovery window.

Offer Gentle Comfort

Provide reassurance and gentle petting to help your cat relax as they settle back into their normal routine.

Remember: Every Cat Is Different

Every cat responds differently to veterinary visits and dental procedures. Work closely with your veterinarian to develop a plan that best supports your cat’s individual comfort and recovery needs.