By DR. PAMELA CUEVAS

Did you know that only 10 percent of all cats get regular veterinary care? Although cats are the most popular pets in the United States, they get significantly less veterinary care than their canine counterparts.

We know cats are valuable members of the family and just like dogs, they provide both companionship and love. It’s a different style of affection, though, and can take some patience and understanding.

Though cats need regular veterinary care, getting them to their appointments can sometimes be a challenge. Part of the reason cats see their vets less often may have to do with the fact that transporting them can be such a stress for both cat and owner.

One of my own “special” kitties, Banshee, had this prob-lem. Getting him into the carrier to take him to the hospital used to be quite an adventure. Trying to stuff a struggling cat into a box was often hazardous to my health, sometimes resulting in long red scratches and possibly a bite wound or two.

Since Banshee hated his carrier so much, when he was small, I initially used an old pillowcase to transport him. This worked well because he would quiet down when he couldn’t see where he was going. Plus, I could keep him covered at the hospital while we got the samples and gave his vaccines. Banshee however, continued to grow. The pillowcase tore and I had to get him into a cat carrier.

Transitioning Banshee to a carrier was a challenge. The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) has published some helpful suggestions about successfully choosing a cat carrier and coaxing your cat to accept it. Visit www.catwellness.org for full guidelines.

Here are some tips that helped us make the trip to the vet a little less stressful.

--First, get a carrier with more than one door. Then leave the carrier out so that your cat can comfortably explore it on his own terms. Banshee’s carrier is where he gets his special treats. Now he’ll go into it with only a small push. Unfortunately, he still serenades me during the drive. Sometimes the singing can be calmed by having his favorite toys in the carrier with him, but not always.

Short “practice” rides can be helpful, and Banshee’s singing volume has gotten lower with repeated trips, though it’s never gone away completely.

I recommend you take your cat to the vet for a weight check or even just to show off. These easy visits will lessen the stress of going to the vet’s office and make it more pleasant for all involved.

Traveling on an empty stomach can also lessen the likelihood that your cat will suffer form motion sickness, something that can distress both you and your cat.

--Another tip that will make annual examinations easier is to regularly groom your cat at home. Touching or looking into his mouth, rubbing ears, feet and tail are also good practice. Most cats like to be petted on their own terms, but it’s not always the way your vet needs to touch them at the office. If your cat is used to being touched on the face, ears, stomach, feet and tail, he is less likely to take offense at your vet for touching these sensitive places. Additionally, with regular “at-home exams” you may detect a health problem before your cat tells you about it because you see or feel something different during these frequent sessions. Taking your cat to the vet for routine health care is important and it doesn’t have to be a crisis for both of you every time. Hopefully, with these suggestions it won’t be such a struggle and your cat will be getting the vet care he needs. Pamela Cuevas works at Central Carolina Veterinary Hospital in Burlington, NC. Contact her at (336) 229-0060.