Cat-Only Veterinary Practices

What is a cat-only veterinary practice and why should I take my cat to one?

Veterinarians and veterinary healthcare teams that dedicate themselves to seeing only cats place a high value on their feline patients’ distinct needs. They are especially interested in delivering medical care to cats in ways that help the cat (and her human family members) experience as little stress as possible. 

A cat-only veterinary practice is typically designed with cat comfort in mind. You may find examination rooms with softer lighting, soft surfaces for examination tables, or chairs on which the veterinarian will sit to examine patients on their lap. There are no dogs allowed in a cat only practice - a serious stress reducer for most cats. 

Veterinary healthcare teams that only care for cats generally have greater experience with cat-specific medical issues. Because they only care for cats, their patient handling will reflect a feline focus. Cat-only practices tend to use minimal restraint techniques - another stress reducer. You will also usually find lots of cat-specific retail products in cat-only practices. 

What should I look for when searching for a cat-only practice? 

The American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) is a veterinary specialty organization that certifies practicing veterinarians as specialists in 11 areas, including Canine and Feline Practice, and Feline Practice. These species-specialized veterinarians have made a choice to undergo a long and difficult process of additional studies and examination to become board-certified specialists recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association. 

Becoming an ABVP Diplomate demonstrates knowledge and expertise above and beyond what is required to practice veterinary medicine and reflects a commitment to excellence in specialized care of cats (Feline Practice) or cats and dogs (Canine and Feline Practice). There are only about 900 ABVP specialists in the United States and other countries.

When you are seeking a veterinarian who takes a particular interest in cats, FelineVMA membership is something to look for. The Feline Veterinary Medical Association (FelineVMA) is an organization dedicated to the special needs of cats, and members have a special interest in cats and feline medicine. 

FelineVMA has a program through which a veterinary practice may earn the designation Cat Friendly Practice, which means that steps have been taken to create a soothing low-stress environment for the cats who come in for care. The Cat Friendly Practice program is relatively new, but you can search for cat-friendly practices in your area on the FelineVMA website (catvets.com). Many cat only practices are taking the extra steps to be recognized by FelineVMA as cat friendly (see handout "Cat Friendly Veterinary Practices" for more information). 

It is recommended that cats be seen by their veterinarian twice per year for preventive care. Cats age faster than humans do, so their health status can change within a relatively short period of time. Early detection leads to better management/resolution of most diseases, and the only path to early detection is regular veterinary evaluation. You can make regular veterinary assessments as easy as possible for your cat by seeking out a cat-only veterinary practice.