What Is a Cat-Friendly Veterinary Practice?

​​If you’re a cat lover, you know that your feline friends are extremely particular about who they trust and how they behave toward strangers. This means that a trip to the vet can be an incredibly stressful experience—unless you take the time to find a cat-friendly vet.
 
What exactly is a cat-friendly vet, though, and will visiting one with your pet really make your cat more comfortable with the process? To start, it’s important to understand the specific markers of a cat-friendly veterinary service.
 
Understanding Cats’ Characters
 
All too often, vet practices focus on caring for dogs and other larger animals while downplaying the importance of making felines comfortable, too. That’s why Cat-Friendly Practices were born—to give cats the consideration they deserve. Because cats are so particular, this concept is more complicated than it sounds, and takes a fair amount of work on the part of the veterinarian.
 
A cat-friendly vet not only works to understand the specific ailments that affect cats, but also ensures that their facilities meet the specific needs of cats. What’s more, these vets take the time to understand how cats behave, and how to manage that behavior tactfully. All of this culminates in a more relaxing and gentle experience for your cat.
 
How a Cat-Friendly Vet Makes All The Difference
 
Just like with people, if your cat feels cared for gently and empathetically, it’s much less likely to have a negative reaction to its vet visit. A cat-friendly vet will keep your cat calm and comfortable throughout your entire visit, which makes your life easier when it comes time to visit the vet again.
 
Cats are smarter than they’re often given credit for, and the last thing you want is to have a cat on your hands that’s unwilling to cooperate with the vet when they’re genuinely in need of care. The best way to avoid this is to take your cat to a vet that will make them comfortable right from the start. Do some research into cat-friendly vets in your area, and you’ll be amazed by the difference that it makes.
 
Our staff is trained to reduce stress in cats from the moment they walk in the door. A few of the strategies we utilize are low-stress handling techniques, strategic towel wrapping, Feliway pheromone, and  a dedicated cat-only exam room. Helping keep your cat’s stress to a minimum is our highest priority.
 
No veterinarian wants to give your cat a lacking experience, but many of them simply don’t have the tools and knowledge to provide a cat-friendly practice. If you’re looking for the best possible care for your feline friend, visit us and witness the difference.