Stressed by the Vet? Try a Cat Friendly Practice®.

Did you know that the United States is one of the highest ranked cat loving countries? In 2016 Gfk conducted a global study in which more than 27,000 consumers (aged 15 and older) in 22 countries were interviewed online. Results indicated that cats reside in 39% of households in the U.S., ranking below only Russia with 57% and France with 41%.

And according to the U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook  published by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA), in 2012, 36.1 million households owned cats at that time, with the estimated number of pet cats being 74.1 million.That’s a lot of cats! Which makes me very happy on a personal level. But, that same sourcebook also points out that only 55% of cat owners took their cats to the vet, vs. 81% of dog owners. That statistic is indicative of our beloved felines not receiving the routine medical care they require.  

Lola at the vet

In a  2013 Bayer AAFP study, researchers found that 52 percent of cats in the U.S. had not been taken to the vet in the past year for necessary checkups. They also found that only half as many cats receive annual exams as dogs.These alarming numbers are due to cat owners anticipating unpleasant experiences while taking their cats to the vet, believing their cat hates visiting the vet, and getting stressed out at the mere thought of taking their cat on a vet visit. I can relate to these reasons, and I’m sure many reading this article can as well. 

We cat owners can stop pulling out our hair at the thought of scheduling a vet visit, and dump the guilt trips about missing the visits altogether. In 2012 the American Association of Feline Practitioners  (AAFP) recognized the need for cat friendly veterinary clinics and rolled out their Cat Friendly Practice® (CFP) initiative. The CFP program (which is now in 45 states in the continental U.S., 8 Canadian provinces, 3 Brazilian states, and Mexico), created by expert feline practitioners, provides an opportunity for veterinary practices to elevate care for cats and reduce the stress during the visit. The program assists practices to be more welcoming to cats and owners, while also helping to provide the highest quality care. The CFP program fosters partnerships between cat owners and the practice, so that both are actively engaged in the cat’s ongoing health and well-being.

Photo credit: jeffrey beall via flickr

Going to a Cat Friendly Practice has many benefits both the cat and the cat owner. 

• Each Cat Friendly Practice has at least one designated ‘Cat Advocate’ on staff. This is a knowledgeable professional who ensures that your cat’s care is guided by feline-focused standards. 
• Staff members are trained in how to approach and handle cats in a gentle, empathetic and caring manner. 
• Staff members are also trained to recognize subtle, early signs of sickness, fear, or anxiety, and adapt appropriately.
• An environment has been created that is more comfortable for cats, such as managing noise and offering separate waiting areas for cats and dogs, and minimizing stress during medical procedures. 
• The veterinary practice is well-maintained and equipped for feline patients (cat sized equipment, soft coverings, feline facial pheromone diffuser, etc.)
• Procedures are in place to adjust for each cat based on whatever is least stressful for the cat. Exams may be performed in the carrier, on the floor, or in the veterinarian’s lap. 
• The Cat Friendly Practice certificate on a veterinarian’s wall has to be earned. The practice must meet a comprehensive checklist of performance criteria to verify that staff members are specially qualified and dedicated to making every visit as pleasant as possible and beneficial for you and your cat.

_photo-deti via Depositphotos

As I mentioned above, The CFP program fosters partnerships between cat owners and the practice, so that both are actively engaged in the cat’s ongoing health and well-being. I take Lola and Lexy to a feline-only practice. When I was choosing a veterinary practice I was not aware of the CFP program, but I knew I did not want to worry about dogs in the waiting room and I wanted a vet who would be understanding of their emotional needs. I also wanted someone who was knowledgeable and proficient in the area of feline health. My vet definitely ensures that we work together in Lola and Lexy’s health care and views me as an important part of that equation. The environment is very peaceful, which not only calms my cats but me as well. My cats pick up on my energy and if I’m calmer so are they. All of this makes the experience less stressful for the three of us. Aside from getting them into the carriers, but that’s another post.  

If your veterinary practice displays this logo, 

that means they have qualified to be a Cat Friendly Practice by the American Association of Feline Practitioners. You can find a Cat Friendly Practice in your area by searching here. 
Is your practice cat friendly? If it were would you take your cat to the vet more often? 
Dawn