Dos and don'ts for reducing feline anxiety in the veterinary environment

Visits to the veterinary practice can be extremely stressful for feline patients (Horwitz and Little, 2015; Lloyd, 2017) and this is evident in many cats as soon as they enter the hospital. Stress affects emotional wellbeing and, in the long-term, can impact on health (Mills, 2015). Some of the challenges that the feline patient has to endure in the practice include lack of control through forced restraint and handling, changes in routine, strange noises and scents, unfamiliar people and animals. Being proactive in creating a positive patient experience should therefore be a priority for every member of the veterinary team and this should extend to every department of the hospital.

The primary goal of feline-friendly veterinary care is to make the cat feel safe and secure throughout its medical experience and every member of staff has a crucial role to play in this endeavour. Initiatives such as the Cat Friendly Clinic programme promoted by the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) provide practical recommendations, helping practices become more proficient at meeting the cat's unique needs (Endersby, 2018).