By Elizabeth Wilke
As pet parents, one of the most important things is our cat’s health. Whether you recently moved to a new area, adopted a new fur baby, or simply aren’t satisfied with your current provider, these steps should help you find the right fit for your family.
When looking for a vet for Cats, you may want to begin by figuring out how to find the right practitioner for you. Word-of-mouth and recommendations from trusted sources can often help in the early stages of a search. Reach out to trusted friends, family, and neighbors, particularly those who have cats and the same pet-parent values you have. You may want to ask your groomer as well, should you have one. Once you have a list of names and practices, don’t be afraid to use the Internet to do some recon! Look up the practice websites. Are the hours, contact info, and location clearly posted? Are there bios of the staff? What about pictures of staff with their pets? Next, search for reviews on local sites such as Yelp. While reviews can be subjective, you might be able to glean some important information. Location is also key. Keep in mind that in an emergency situation, you may want to be closer to your vet. Also, consider if you would prefer a vet who specializes solely in cats.
Once you’ve narrowed down your list, call and schedule a well-visit for your cat. Since vets, like most doctors, run on a strict schedule, you may want to request an additional 10-15 minutes to ask questions. Before your appointment, think about some questions you would like to ask (we have some great ones below), write them out and plan to bring them with you along with a list of Feline Caviar holistic cat food ingredients so you can discuss pH and diet. Upon arriving at your appointment, give the practice a good once-over. Is it clean; well-maintained; organized? Are there separate waiting areas for dogs and cats (if a joint-practice)? What about the front-desk staff; are they friendly? Trust your first impression of a practice.
Now for the big moment, your first meeting with the potential vet for your fur baby. Watch how the vet interacts with your cat. Does the vet seem to have good communication and do you have a rapport? After the vet is finished with the exam, get out your list of questions and fire away. Here are some we thought were pertinent:
- Are you AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited?
- Are you Board-certified in any areas?
- How many vets are on staff? Do you share responsibility?
- Are veterinary techs licensed?
- Can you be reached in an emergency situation after-hours? Are there vets on call?
- What hospital do you recommend for emergencies, if needed?
- How are overnight patients monitored? Is there overnight staffing?
- How are patients evaluated before and after receiving anesthesia?
- Do you perform testing such as x-rays and ultrasound in-house or refer to a specialist?
- What is the protocol for pain management?
- What diet do you typically recommend? Are you familiar with a pH diet? (This would be a good time to discuss the Feline Caviar ingredients.)
- How do you feel about holistic and alternative treatments and therapies?
You should also feel comfortable asking about payment plans for expensive procedures or testing as well any pet insurance policies the practice accepts.
Remember, you want to find the right vet before you actually need one in a potential emergency situation.