How to Find the Right Vet for Your Cat

Last Updated on May 30, 2021 by Holly Anne Dustin

Do your cats, yes even your indoor, apparently healthy, cats, see the vet for a physical every year? According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), Cats have a healthcare crisis.  Make today the day you commit to find the right vet for your cat and get him in for an annual exam.

Even though more people live with cats than live with dogs, cats go to the vet much less often than dogs do. Although 83% of cats go to the vet during their first year, half of them don’t go back until they get sick. American Humane Society agrees that most cats go to the vet when the cat is sick. Cats go to the vet half as often as dogs.

There are Several Reasons that Cats Don’t Go to the Vet.

• Most often it is the stress of physically getting your cat to the vet’s office. You have to get Kitty into her carrier, take her for a car ride, bring her to this scary place where bad things happen to her.
• Cats rarely have to be licensed. That license requires dogs to get their vaccines updated and pretty much guarantees they’ll go to the vet at least once a year.
• The perception that indoor cats don’t have the same health risks and need not go to the vet.
• Our society doesn’t respect cats the same way it does dogs. I saw this in action daily when I worked in pet retail.
• Costs of vet care.
• Negative experiences with a vet practice

What Are You Looking for in a Vet?

• Do you want a cat only practice?
• Maybe a Cat-Friendly Practice that sees other pets as well? Does that mixed practice have separate cat rooms prepared to reduce stress in your cat?
• Fear-Free Handling certified practice or personnel?
• Is acceptance of raw feeding, holistic care or alternative modalities of treatment something you need? This kept me out of vet offices for years if we are being frank.
• Small one doctor practice vs large multi-doctor practice? There are advantages to both.
• Do you need unique hours?
• Relationships with specialists or an emergency department?
• 24-hour staffing for overnight care?
• Maybe other options like house calls, offering boarding, or non-sedated grooming are on your list.
• If you have a cat with a pre-existing condition, or a purebred prone to specific problems, it is important to look for a vet with a lot of knowledge about those issues.

How Do You Find the Right Vet for Your Cat?

• You can go to the professional associations practice locator pages. American Association of Feline Practitioners lists member vets, and you can filter it further by selecting only those that are Cat-Friendly practice certified. The AHVMA has listings for holistic vets.
• Ask friends and neighbors that take good care of their cats who they use and why they like the vet they chose.  Stick with cat people. Not every wonderful dog vet is great with cats.
• If you adopt through a local rescue, ask who they use for vet care and why.  Same if you use a local breeder.
• Online directories, google maps, Facebook groups, Nextdoor etc. Read the good and bad reviews.
• Check out the clinic website and read up on the staff.

Interview Your Top Choices:

Once you have narrowed down your options to 4-5 good potential choices, it is time to check them out. Schedule a visit. Most vets, like most pediatricians, will welcome a potential client that cares enough to make sure they will be a good match.  You should expect to pay for an office visit for these interviews.

Prepare your questions in advance, you don’t want to miss anything, or waste the vet’s time. You might also get some answers from the desk staff or a tech.

When you schedule your visit, ask the receptionist to book you with the vet that best connects with cats. They should also be able to answer questions about hours, fees, payment plans, and any insurance or packages they offer. Be sure to check whether they accept your policy if you have pet insurance.

Ask Questions to Decide if You Are a Match

Explain why you are there and be honest: You are looking for a new veterinarian and considering this practice.

• Why should I bring my cat to your practice?
• What professional association memberships and specialties does the vet have?
• Ask about issues important to you that might be controversial like a raw diet or their vaccination policy.
• How do they handle cats? Scruffing? Sedation? Do they schedule enough time to allow the cat to relax? Are they familiar with Fear-Free handling practices?
• Is there a separate waiting area for cats? Exam room? Separate ward if your cat is hospitalized? Do they use Feliway to desensitize cats to the smells of other animals?
• Will we always see the same vet?
• How long are the appointments? Ask yourself: Will you feel rushed? Do they allow time for you to ask questions and discuss options? Do they take questions over the phone or by email?
• How do they handle emergencies? Referrals to specialists? Second opinions?

After Your Visit, Document Your Impressions.

The quicker you get down your feelings the better.

• What did you think of the doctor’s bedside manner?
• Did he or she seem responsive to you or is he arrogant or sarcastic when questioned?
• Did it seem as if he or she would listen to you, discuss options, be open to questions and choices about treatment? Or did she seem to have the “I know more than you so just do what I tell you and stop researching and questioning” attitude?  Personally, I won’t work with anyone that expects me to take their word as gospel.
• Old school or high tech? Neither is better nor worse, but if you’re more comfortable with one style medical professional, you’ll want to find a vet to match.
• Are they committed to the gold standard of treatment or can they work with incremental care if finances are a concern? Are they judgemental about it if you can’t afford the gold standard?

Schedule an Appointment for Kitty

That should help you narrow down to your top choice or two.  Schedule a wellness visit for your kitty and see how they really react to your cat. Remember, you can go somewhere else. But hopefully their bedside manner and handling is good and you are happy with your choice.

Find Your Back-Up ER

You want to find a 24-hour emergency hospital if the vet you select doesn’t offer a 24-hour service. Know your options, don’t just take your vet’s recommendation. You can still do your due diligence on reputation and prices even on an emergency vet. In my area, I’ll have a better experience if I drive about 15 minutes further.

Now that you have hopefully found the right vet for your cat, if you need tips to reduce the stress factor of a vet visit or resources to help with the costs, check out our Cat to the Vet Day post from last year.