Next to you and your family, your cat's vet is the most important person in their life. After all, the vet will be responsible for their health throughout your cat’s entire life. So how do you choose a veterinarian that will provide the best possible care?
One of the best ways to find a vet is through the recommendation of a friend. If you know someone in your area with a cat or dog, ask them where they take their pet and what they think of the quality of service provided.
Dial or click
Alternatively, a good place to start your search is on the internet. You don't want to have to drive for an hour to receive treatment for your sick cat, so focus on those nearest you. Select a couple of practices in your area and call to see if they'd mind you dropping by to take a look and introduce yourself.
Remember, you don't need to bring your cat for this initial visit. This is purely for you to get a feel for the place and the people who work there. Is it clean? are the staff professional? If you get the chance to meet the vets, are they friendly and approachable? You're going to be entrusting your cat's life to these people so it's important that you feel comfortable with them.
Tasty Tips
Find out if they are a solo or group practice. Most veterinary clinics have one vet and several nurses to deal with the animals. Group practices are increasingly common because they allow a pool of skills to be available to the patients. However a group practice is not necessarily better than a single vet practice.
How much?
Cost is an important factor in determining how you treat your cat's health. Veterinary care can be expensive so it might be a good idea to ask about Pet insurance once you have found the clinic you like.
Another factor to consider is emergency care. A veterinary practice will have arrangements for emergencies 24 hours a day. Find out what the policy is for emergency cases and where they are referred.
The best advice is to take a tip from your cat and follow your instincts. What you want in a veterinarian is someone who cares deeply about animals and your cat in particular.
Your vet will frequently be your first line of contact for many of the trials and tribulations that can arise when you own a cat, so choose someone you feel you can communicate openly and honestly with.
Related articles
Cats Need Good Nutrition In Order To Stay Healthy
Good nutrition is about the right balance of nutrients. Learn more about health issues when feeding a cat food that has an improper nutritional balance from your friends at Hills Pet Nutrition.
Hill's Cat Foods: Nutritional Balance Just for Indoor Cats
Find the right Hill
How Often Should You Feed A Cat?
Feeding time can be a wonderful bonding opportunity for you and your cat. Find out how to make the most of it and create a healthy habit with HIll's Pet UK.
How To Feed a Cat With a Sensitive Stomach
Discover what you can do to spot and support a sensitive cat stomach. See what routines and food you can implement to help your cat be happy and healthy.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.