Cat Friendly: What is that?

Taking a cat to the vet is often a stressful experience for both the owner and the cat. As a result, the annual check is all too often postponed indefinitely. Yet regular checks are so important because cats often mask health problems for a long time. This means the cat does not visit the vet at all or arrives too late, and does not receive the right care.

Why are vet visits so stressful for cats?

  • Cats generally do not enjoy car journeys.
  • Cats feel less safe when taken out of their familiar, safe environment.
  • Cats are very sensitive to unfamiliar sounds and smells.
  • Cats dislike the presence of unfamiliar dogs and cats.
  • Cats like to remain in control.

Do you recognise the journey to the vet from this perspective? [Video]
This is what the cat thinks of it. [Video]

How can you make vet visits less stressful for your cat?

  • Always transport your cat in a carrier.
  • Each cat should have its own carrier, unless they belong to the same social group.
  • The best carriers open from both the top and the front, and can be taken apart easily.
  • Help your cat get used to the carrier by leaving it open in your living room with toys, treats and food inside.
  • Place a soft towel or mat on the bottom of the carrier.
  • Spray pheromones (Harmony by Arhomani or Feliway Classic Spray) inside the carrier 10–15 minutes before you leave.
  • In the car, place the carrier on the floor behind the front seats to prevent movement and injuries from the airbag.
  • Be careful when carrying the carrier: keep it as level and steady as possible.
  • Cover the carrier with a towel: this calms your cat and prevents eye contact with other animals.

Do you already know your cat will find the visit difficult? Then pick up something from us beforehand to reduce stress and anxiety. There are hardly any side effects, only benefits: a calmer car ride, a smoother examination and better care. Good for your cat, for you and for your vet.

What do we at Iscavets do to make vet visits more pleasant for your cat?

  • Our feline friends have their own wing in the practice, with a separate entrance, their own waiting room with a cat parking area, and their own hospital ward. Goodbye to those annoying doggy smells and noises!
  • Our consultations last half an hour: that's the time our gentle approach needs.
  • Whenever possible, we let your cat come out of the carrier on its own. We never pull cats out. If they want to explore the room first, they're welcome to. If they'd rather stay in the bottom half of the carrier, that's fine with us too.
  • We use thick microfibre mats on the examination table, a fresh one for every cat. Our washing machine is always busy, but the cats love it and are much more relaxed.
  • We stay calm ourselves, so the cats feel calmer too.
  • We use a cat-friendly approach during the examination and keep restraint to a minimum. We adapt our approach to each cat's temperament.
  • We never punish: it doesn't help and only makes cats more anxious.
  • Usually the owner cuddles the cat during the examination. There's also always an assistant present who is fully skilled in gentle, cat-friendly handling.
  • Our equipment is adapted to cats' needs too: modern anaesthesia equipment, an extra-quiet clipper, a blood pressure monitor, dental X-rays and more.
  • Our hospital ward is cat-friendly, with pheromones and comfortable bedding. Thanks to our cat forts, cats can hide or curl up somewhere high. If they need to stay a little longer, we give them an extra-large space. And thanks to our assistants, there's always plenty of TLC (tender loving care).
  • We regularly attend training courses, so our approach always reflects the latest insights.
  • We give you detailed advice about your cat's needs at every stage of life.

WE LOVE HAPPY CATS!

No Scruff Policy

Bij Iscavets doen we er alles aan om uw huisdier een stress-arme ervaring te bezorgen.

 

Scruffen (in het nekvel nemen om ze in bedwang te houden) is erg stresserend voor een poes. Het neemt alle controle over hun omgeving en bewegingen weg, net dat waar ze behoefte aan hebben. Dit kan ervoor zorgen dat een kat heftiger reageert en aanvalt.

 

Onze alternatieven

  • Less is more: hoe minder ze gefixeerd worden, hoe meer de dierenarts kan doen.
  • Liquid snacks: lekker smikkelen terwijl ze de nodige handelingen ondergaan.
  • Zachte grepen en truukjes: ons arsenaal is uitgebreid want iedere poes heeft een eigen temperament.
  • Als ze nood hebben aan een pauze, laten we ze gezellig rondlopen in de praktijk.
  • Soms proberen we een kattenzak of bakeren we de poes in.
  • Het liefst van al laten we het baasje vooraf thuis iets geven dat de stress en angst vermindert: aangenamere autorit, vlotter onderzoek – goed voor poes, baasje én dierenarts.
  • In het ergte geval geven we een kalmeerspuitje.

 

Soms scruffen we wel degelijk. Als de alternatieven niet werken, of wanneer het nodig is om iets te doen. Maar dan alleen als het voor heel even is.