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cat friendly logoCat Friendly

We are an American Association of Feline practitioners (AAFP) certified Cat Friendly Practice (CFP). What does that mean? When you see the CFP designation, you can be confident your cat will be given exceptional care and attention through all phases of the visit including examinations, procedures, and hospitalization. The Cat Friendly Practice distinction indicates that a practice has demonstrated higher levels of commitment and excellence in feline medicine.

What to Expect from a Cat Friendly Practice

CFP’s have:

  • Incorporated a waiting room/area that reduces stress associated with noise, other pets, or unfamiliar smells (methods can include feline-only area, cat-only appointment times, and separate space with a barrier blocking visual contact, etc.).
  • Staff trained to understand the individualized needs of cats including feline specific facial and behavior cues.
  • Implemented feline-friendly handling techniques to facilitate a more positive experience.
  • A feline-only or feline-centric examination room that provides a safe, non-threatening area where cats can be examined calmly and effectively.
  • Experience to recognize subtle, early signs of fear or anxiety and adapt appropriately

To learn more www.catvets.com/cfp

Despite the fact that cat ownership is on the rise, fewer cat owners are bringing these beloved pets for regular veterinary care. This is mainly due to the fact that many cats are very frightened and easily stressed by coming to the clinic. At Glen Erin Animal Hospital and Meadowvale Animal Clinic, we understand this and have gone to great lengths to provide a cat friendly environment for your cats. All staff members have had special training in handling cats and are knowledgeable in discussing all of your concerns.

Cats need regular veterinary care, including wellness exams at least once a year. Cats age faster than we do, so an annual exam for them is similar to you visiting your doctor or dentist every four to five years. Prevention is always safer and less expensive than treatment, and is why your cat needs to be seen at least once a year by your veterinarian. Cats are also experts at hiding illness and often won’t give you any signs they are unwell. This is why routine wellness visits are vital. Changes in health status can also occur very quickly and by catching potential problems early we can manage conditions early and prevent unnecessary suffering. Even indoor cats are at risk for healthy problems.  The older your cat, the higher the risk of certain geriatric illnesses which make prevention and early intervention a crucial part of regular vet care.

At our Glen Erin Animal Hospital location, we have constructed a separate cat-only waiting and exam room, day hospitalizationfacility. All rooms feature natural light and have been designed with the feline perspective in mind.

All appointments are 30 minutes. We encourage your cat to arrive early in order to have extra time to acclimatize to the room, which lowers stress levels. Included in the appointment is a thorough physical examination, which includes a complimentary blood pressure check.

As cats become nervous when moved to a new setting, we believe in transparency. Whenever possible, all outpatient procedures including vaccinations, medication and blood draws are performed in the exam room with you present.