🐾 Vet Calm Care 2025: Low Stress Blood Draws for Cats—Making the Moment of Truth Easier 🐱🩸

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

For many cats, going to the vet is overwhelming. Fear and stress can not only make exams and procedures difficult—it can also alter diagnostic results like heart rate, blood pressure, and even blood glucose. One of the most challenging yet necessary procedures is the blood draw. But it doesn’t have to be scary. With Low Stress Handling® techniques, your cat’s blood draw can be safer, smoother, and more comfortable for everyone involved. 🧘‍♂️

🛋️ Step 1: Preparing the Environment

Setting the scene can make all the difference:

• 🧺 Encourage clients to bring their cat’s bed, favorite toy, or treats
• 🧴 Prep all supplies ahead of time to avoid in-and-out disruptions
• 🧼 Use a non-slip mat on the table for warmth and traction
• 🍗 Offer treats, petting, or play to create a positive association
• 🎶 Play classical or soft music to soothe and mask clinic sounds

A calm room equals a calm cat. Even minor details can help reduce anxiety. 😌

🧪 Step 2: Prepping for the Blood Draw

Choose a draw location and method that prioritizes the cat’s comfort:

• 📍 Select a draw site away from painful or previously sensitive areas
• 🧴 Use topical lidocaine cream to numb the site before the draw
• 💦 Avoid spraying alcohol directly—apply with cotton balls or use chlorhexidine or water

Positioning tip: Many cats prefer a natural sternal position (lying chest-down) with their rear legs gently tucked (see example photos). This keeps them grounded and reduces panic. 🧘‍♀️

👐 Step 3: Gentle Restraint, Not Force

Handling matters—more than most people realize. Here’s how to do it right:

• 🤲 Support the entire body when positioning
• 🧘 Avoid stretching limbs or unnatural positioning
• 💞 Use gentle pressure on the leg—not tight gripping
• 👁️ Avoid looming, loud voices, or direct prolonged eye contact
• 🤝 Communicate clearly between restrainer and phlebotomist, especially during needle removal
• 🐾 Allow hiding if the cat prefers to feel enclosed and secure

Bonus Tip: Lick mats with favorite foods (like tuna puree) are excellent distractions during the procedure. 😻

📈 Continual Monitoring of Stress Levels

Throughout the visit, be alert to signs of distress:

• 👂 Watch ears, tail position, and vocalizations
• 🐾 Pause or adjust if the cat begins to resist or panic
• 🧠 Modify technique based on that individual cat’s behavior and preferences

Key concept: The best restraint is minimal, respectful, and tailored to each cat. Every feline is different. 🙏

🧘 Benefits of Low Stress Handling®

• ✅ Improved patient safety
• ✅ More accurate diagnostic results
• ✅ Faster recovery post-procedure
• ✅ Better relationships between client, cat, and veterinary team

Most importantly, it turns a stressful moment into an opportunity for trust and care. 💙

📍 Final Thoughts

Drawing blood doesn’t have to be a battle. With the right setup, careful communication, and cat-centered handling, veterinary teams can perform accurate diagnostics while keeping feline patients calm and cooperative. 🐾

Want to learn more about stress-free cat care? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app to speak with Dr Duncan Houston and other veterinary professionals. 🐱📱