What Does It Mean to Be ‘Cat Friendly’?

Cats are not small dogs. We get that. Cats have distinct, unique needs and personalities.

That’s why the Medical District Veterinary Clinic is very happy to be designated a Cat Friendly Practice! This worldwide initiative helps make veterinary clinics welcoming places for feline patients.

The idea behind the program is simple: Cats need regular medical check-ups to help ensure longer, happier, and healthier lives. But if visiting the vet stresses your cat (and you!) out, you’re both likely to avoid coming in for routine check-ups that could catch health problems before they become harder to treat.

To earn our Cat Friendly designation, we had to have achieved feline-friendly standards in ten different categories established by the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the International Society for Feline Medicine. I was in charge of completing a checklist that included staff training, creating feline-friendly environments, performing proper handling and restraint, and having the appropriate equipment to meet cats’ specific needs, to just list a few.

For example, to offer a feline-friendly environment, we have cat-only exam rooms and a cat-only hospitalization ward so your pet doesn’t have to worry that dogs—or their smells—are lurking nearby. The exam rooms and hospitalization ward are complete with cat-only scales, towels, and a calming pheromone to create a quiet, relaxed atmosphere.

And, our entire staff has been trained to handle cats in a gentle, calm, and caring way that minimizes their stress. We can even advise you on how to make the car ride here less traumatic for cats who hate leaving the safety of their home.

Our goal is to make your cat’s visit less stressful, which in turn, makes your visit more pleasant. And that means you’ll be more comfortable getting routine wellness exams that can lead to a healthier pet. —Kyleen, CVT