‘I’m a vet tech – do 6 things with cat before bringing them’

A vet tech has shared six holds to practice with your cat before you bring them in for an appointment.

A vet tech named B, known online as Drink Coffe Save Animals, took to TikTok to share the techniques she urges cat owners to get their moggies used to.

She introduced her cute four-legged assistant, saying: “Nyx is a co-worker’s cat and is being treated for liver disease, which has caused weight loss over the last six months.”

Then she demonstrated the positions you need to work on. The first hold, B explained, was for Cephalic blood draw from the outside of their arm or for IV placements.

For this, Nyx was standing in front of her, holding the cat with both hands, while scratching her head with one hand and holding up its front paw with the other. This allows vets to get to the Cephalic vein in the cat’s arm.

B then switched her hands, so she held up the other paw, while continuing to pet Nyx’s head with her other hand.

The duo then moved on to the second hold, which would be good in preparation for Medial Saphenous blood draw, on the inside of the back leg.

For this B laid Nyx down on the table and held down his back paws with one hand while also touching his tummy, while holding his front paws with her other hand and petting with her thumb.

Jugular blood draws, are another common procedure, which require the neck of the cat to be stable. To help owners prepare their feline friends, B recommends standing behind your sitting cat and cradling its head at a slightly raised angle with both hands, while also stroking them as reassurance.

She also highlights the importance of getting cats accustomed to ‘skin tenting’ – demonstrated by her pinching and lifting Nyx’s fur along the spine before soothingly petting him again. This doesn’t hurt the cat and is good preparation for any injections they may need.

Moreover, B advised that acclimatising cats to having their paws touched and nails extended is crucial – easing the stress of claw trimming.

Lastly, she shared how to prime your cat for a towel hold, which is used for everything from blood sampling to X-ray restraints.

As she wrapped a tea towel snugly but not too tightly around Nyx’s neck, she emphasised that this technique should replace outdated methods like scruffing.

This is used for everything from blood draws to restraints for X-ray, and for techs who are still scruffing cats I recommend switching to this method,” she explained, demonstrating how to desensitise Nyx to being handled while secured in the towel hold.

The more you practice with your cat, the more desensitised they should get to the holds. Then hopefully, the next time you book an appointment won’t be as daunting.