How Can I Find a Great Cat Vet Near Me?
As cat owners, we know these sweet felines are particular in their ways of interacting with humans. One of the least favorable examples is a trip to the vet, although it is one of the most crucial steps in ensuring that your kitty is healthy. However, with so many veterinary clinics and practices, this be a daunting task. It can leave you wondering "how can I find a great cat vet near me"?
In this post, we’ll share some considerations and advice on how to find the perfect cat vet for your beloved feline friend. Whether you’ve just adopted a new kitty or you’re just searching for a new veterinarian, keep reading to learn more!
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Why Choosing the Right Vet is Important for Your Cat’s Health
Your cat’s health is essential, just as important as the human members of your family. Ideally it would be best to choose a veterinarian that can provide quality and consistent medical care throughout your cat’s life, and gets to know you and your cat.
Cats have shorter life spans than us, and they age more rapidly. Therefore, six months for them is comparable to multiple years for a human. This makes it even more critical to have them examined at least once or twice a year. Even if your cat is behaving normally, it’s important to get routine blood work done with a trusted veterinarian, so we can ensure our cats are healthy inside and out. There are many diseases that can only be identified by blood work. Cats are notorious for kidney issues, and can also be susceptible to other ailments, just like humans. Treating any ailment preventatively is easier, cheaper, and will give a cat a better prognosis, rather than finding something once your cat is exhibiting symptoms, as that is usually too late. Cats by nature try to hide their illnesses (think- survival of the fittest), and can rapidly decline if one of their organs were to start failing. Once we realize something is awry, it could be too late.
A reliable vet who has your cat’s best interests in mind can also give you advice on different subjects. Some common subjects might include, diets, dental hygiene, and behavior. Finding a cat vet near you that provides comprehensive and preventative care can also be helpful in ensuring your cat is healthy throughout its life. However, ultimately, the best fit for you and your cat is a veterinarian that you feel most comfortable with. Hopefully he or she won’t rush through your appointment, won’t make you feel uncomfortable for asking certain questions, and welcomes you to speak up and ask about any issues that your precious feline may be facing.
Furthermore, having a reliable cat vet nearby can come in handy during emergencies, where time is of the essence, and you need immediate medical attention for your furry friend.
So how can you go about finding the perfect vet near you? Let’s dive into some essential factors that you should consider.
Cat Friendly Vets
Cats get very easily anxious or stressed, so it’s important to choose a vet who is comfortable handling cats. Having worked at a vet’s office before, I know that not all techs are comfortable with cats. The American Association of Feline Practitioners has put together a list of vets who have a specific certification to let you know that they have gone the extra mile to prepare for a stress-free visit with your feline friend. They have gone through a specific program on handling cats specifically at a veterinarian’s office (which can be a particularly stressful place for them), and will give you an extra boost of confidence that your pet is in good hands. You can search for a local Cat Friendly Practice here. If you are concerned about anxiety in your cat at home, read more about some solutions on cat anxiety here. Another option is to find a feline-only veterinarian, which are certainly more rare, but they are out there. The Cat Friendly Practice also allows you to filter by this category if you think your cat would do better without barking dogs around!
Mobile Vets
Mobile vets are a new offering where vets come right to your house! This may be a good option for pets why don't like traveling, have extreme anxiety, or will tolerate being handled better at home.
Ask for Recommendations
Word of mouth can be an effective way to find a trustworthy and reliable cat vet near you. Talk to your family, friends, and other cat owners about the vets that they use. Take note of their experience with the vet and their thoughts on the services they provide. If you find a common vet recommendation between individuals, you might have found a cat vet worth checking out. If you're new to your town, read up on the latest Google reviews, or check out Yelp.
Even with recommendations, it’s essential to do your research and learn more about each clinic or veterinary practice. The most important thing to keep in mind is that what works for your friend or family member might not work for you, so keep an open mind.
Look for Reviews
While it’s always helpful to receive recommendations from your network, the internet has made it much easier to find reviews for a variety of businesses, including vet clinics. There are numerous websites where you can find ratings and reviews from pet owners that have taken their cat to a specific clinic.
When searching for a vet, try looking up reviews for the clinics or veterinarians that you’re considering. Look out for what reviewers say about their experiences with staff, waiting times, and any significant treatments. This can help you get a sense of the level of service provided and the clinic's expertise in cat care.
Ask for a Consultation
Before deciding on a specific veterinarian or clinic, consider setting up a consultation appointment to meet with a potential vet and staff. A lot of times offices will offer a free first visit so that you can get acquainted with the veterinarian and staff before deciding to continue to pursue care at a particular clinic. During the consultation, ask questions, and pay attention to the responses given by the vet and staff. Make sure you ask if they are comfortable and experienced in dealing with cats. If your cat is particularly anxious, you can ask if you can bring your cat in for a meet and greet, so that they won’t associate car rides or the vet’s office with a bad experience every time. Another option is to bring your cat in first thing in the morning, or try to get the last appointment of the day, where there are less other pets around, and hopefully less noise and stimulation.
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