Choosing a Cat-Friendly Vet

As cat lovers, we all know how difficult it is to take many cats into the veterinarian’s office, even if your cat isn’t ill. Many, like our cat Linus, above, seem to get super-cat strength the moment they see that carrier. I know in our home, we’re trying to make the cat carrier just another piece of furniture (one filled with treats, toys, and a soft mat) so our cats feel comfortable being around it and so carrier doesn’t automatically mean VET!

Recently we ran across these helpful tips from the CATalyst Council, a national initiative comprised of animal health and welfare organizations working on behalf of cats, listing five things to look for when seeking a cat-friendly veterinary practice. A study in the July 1 edition of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) showed that by taking steps to be more cat-friendly, veterinarians are better able to help more cats receive needed veterinary care….but how can you best determine if a vet is cat-friendly? Here are some easy tips from the CATalyst Council:

1. The first time you call for information about a practice, the receptionist should be able to tell you what the practice recommends for routine wellness care for cats that are the same age as your cat. This should include not only the basic vaccinations but also preventive medications and annual visits.
2. The practice should have either separate exam rooms for cats or should offer special times during the day when they only see cats.
3. When scheduling an appointment, the person you speak to should ask whether you are at all worried about transporting your cat to the practice. There are many tips and resources for cat owners that can help alleviate the stress that some experience when transporting a cat and your veterinarian’s office should be able to explain them to you.
4. Ask what types of carrier the office recommends for transportation. Most cat-friendly practices would recommend a carrier with a removable top so that if your cat seems nervous or scared it can be examined without extracting it from the carrier. In addition, you can ask what type of cat-friendly training the staff has undergone.
5. Ask if the practice sends out reminders when wellness care is needed again. They should; it’s something that shows they are committed to their feline clients and the health of their patients.

Taking your cat to see its veterinarian should not be a stressful task, and finding a practice that is committed to making your cat’s visit as pleasant as possible is something you can accomplish with a few phone calls to practices in your area. In addition, the American Association of Feline Practitioners has recently created a Cat Friendly Practice designation for veterinary practices. To see if a veterinary clinic near you has received this designation, visit www.catvets.com.