Riverside Veterinary Surgery 

Transporting your pet to the surgery can get very stressful for all parties involved. Below we have some tips and advice to help you reduce the stress of travelling with your pet.

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• Cats must always be in a suitable secure pet carrier when travelling and coming into the surgery. A plastic or wire carrier are best preferably with a top opening sections as this can help to get your cat in and out easier. Always put newspaper in the bottom of the carrier and ideally a bed or towel from home so they have a familiar scent with them. The use of pheromone sprays like Feliway or Pet Remedy can be useful as well.

• Covering the carrier with a towel or blanket while transporting can help to calm your cat down by shielding them from views of dogs, traffic and other cats.

• Get cat baskets out several days before the intended trip if possible with a bed placed inside and the door open or removed so your cat can get used to the carrier. 

• All dogs must have a collar and lead on with a identifying tag attached to the collar by law when out in public, this includes when coming to the vets. If coming by car your dog needs to be secured either with the use of a seat belt adapter or a dog crate, you can be stopped and fined by the police if the dog is loose in the car while your driving.

• Small pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, hamster etc must be in a secure carrier and with some of their bedding in and possibly a cover over the carrier to help keep them calm.