Is your vet clinic cat friendly?

Cat Friendly Clinic is a worldwide programme from the International Society of Feline Medicine, the veterinary division of the charity International Cat Care.

Because of our unique nature, as cats, and needs, taking us to visit a veterinary clinic can be very stressful, both for us, cats and our cats owners, our caregivers.

The programme is designed to help address these issues by creating more cat friendly veterinary clinics and so reducing the stress for us, cats, and making veterinary visits easier for our caregivers as well.

Here are some key features and practices you might find in a cat-friendly clinic:

Physical Environment: The clinic is designed with separate waiting areas or designated spaces for us, cats, to minimize our exposure to other animals, particularly dogs, which can be a significant stressor. The clinic may use feline-friendly pheromone diffusers or play calming music to create a more soothing atmosphere. Hospitalization will be avoid as much as possible as it is a real stress factor for us, cats.

Handling and Restraint Techniques: Veterinarians and staff members in a cat-friendly clinic are trained in gentle handling techniques to reduce stress and anxiety during examinations and procedures. They may use technique as towel wraps to provide a sense of security.

Feline-Specific Equipment: Cat-friendly clinics often have specialized equipment designed specifically for us, cats, such as smaller or adjustable examination tables, hiding places or elevated perches in exam rooms, and instruments designed for our delicate feline anatomy.

Staff Training: The clinic's staff receives training in feline behavior and communication to better understand and respond to our needs. They learn how to read our cat body language and signals of stress or fear, and they may take additional courses or certifications to improve their knowledge of feline medicine.

Stress Reduction Techniques: The clinic employs various techniques to minimize stress for us, cats, such as gentle handling, using minimal restraints, and providing positive reinforcement, treats, or toys during examinations. They may also use sedation or anesthesia when necessary to ensure our comfort and safety. In case of mandatory hospitalization, treatment will be preferably apply out of the cage in order to keep as a safe place to be.

Education and Outreach: Cat-friendly clinics often prioritize your human education, providing resources and information on our health, behavior, and preventive care. They may offer meetings or seminars on topics like feline nutrition, grooming, and environmental enrichment to help our owners better care for us, cats, at home.

Cat-friendly practices implementation create a more positive experience for us and our owners, ultimately improving the overall quality of feline healthcare.

These are some illustrations of what could be observed in your vet clinic even if not with a cat friendly clinic label but with a motivation to improve cat’s experience in their place.

Bringing your cat to the vet is also something vet clinics can explain when they take care of their feline’s patients.

Avoid carrying us in a way that it moves like a pendulum or a rocking boat. Your owner just must use your two arms to avoid it or even to use a stroller to allow you to travel with some stability..

Bring a towel, a little blanket or a plaid, we like, and especially with our scent in our carrier and even on it to reduce our stress in the street, car, subway and vet clinic. Vet can also use it to better manage us, for examination.

Some Pheromones like Feliway can also help with some spray spreads but at least 10 minutes before, to reduce the unpleasant scent of alcohol.

Mat&Nouk.