Cat Friendly Veterinary Professional

Veterinary physiotherapist Issy has completed the I Cat Care Veterinary Professional Certification. This certification involves:

• 12 hours of content across 9 modules

• Gaining an understanding of the unique needs of cats and how to approach their care with empathy and insight.

• Learning best practice approaches from appointment booking to aftercare, aimed at creating a calmer, more cat-friendly environment, thereby enhancing the overall experience for cats, clients, and the team.

We understand that visits to the vet can be stressful for both cats and their devoted owners. Although Paws and Claws is not a veterinary clinic with intimidating procedures, there are certain similarities to clinical treatment. To address this, we have established a dedicated cat-only area for treatment, designed to provide peace of mind for both the cat and the owner.

Our appointment policy ensures that the clinic remains unoccupied for 15 minutes before and after your scheduled visit. This measure is designed to minimise the chances of encountering other clients, thereby reducing stress for your cat.

On-eyed Kitten Pepe

In the designated room, we utilise Feliway Optimum diffusers, which emit a pheromone complex to assure the cats that the environment is safe. Cats release numerous chemical signals, and when they experience stress, these chemicals can linger in the room even after the cat has departed. Therefore, we meticulously clean the room after each cat to maintain a stress-free and relaxing atmosphere. All equipment is thoroughly sanitized between patients, and whenever possible, we use equipment exclusively for cats.

Restricting dogs' access to the room is crucial for maintaining a minimal scent environment, which helps ensure the cat feels safe and stress-free.

We maintain a quiet environment in the room and request that all phones be set to silent, as cats are particularly sensitive to noises, especially in unfamiliar surroundings.

Most importantly, the treatment your cat receives is customized based on their individual comfort levels. Some cats enjoy hands-on massages, while others prefer hands-off approaches and benefit from electrotherapies. Our goal is to ensure a calm, relaxing, and beneficial visit, and we will make adjustments as necessary to achieve this.