Ok, let me start by holding my hands up and acknowledging that there are dog friendly clinics out there! I know some of you will be aware of the new accreditation scheme set up by Dogs Trust and the British Veterinary Behaviour Association (BVBA). I’m going to talk about that in a moment. 

With the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) setting up their Cat Friendly Clinic programme way back in 2012, I suppose the real question is; why has it taken so long for dogs to be recognised in the same way?

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Do cats hate a visit to the vet more than dogs?

Well, this can depend on past experience, and some dogs do absolutely detest a visit to the vets. But you could argue that cats are predisposed to dislike the vet more than dogs. While dogs derive much of their sense of safety from the companionship and support of the pack, cats are a solitary species. They depend on the familiarity of a consistent, predictable environment. In other words, if you are with your dog, they are more likely to feel comfortable in an unfamiliar environment than a cat would in the same circumstances. For cats, this brings some unique difficulties around vet visits:

  • They usually don’t travel well and feel unsafe away from home.
  • Cats are highly stressed by the presence of dogs in the clinic. 
  • Cats are susceptible to stress-related medical conditions like cystitis and inflammatory bowel disease, and a trip to the vet could exacerbate an illness.
  • They are highly sensitive to new sights, sounds and smells.
  • Cats must be handled appropriately and respectfully, without resorting to old aversive restraint techniques like scruffing.

A brief history of Cat Friendly Clinics

For some owners, the stress their cat experiences can put them off making a vet visit altogether. ISFM realised that establishing cat-friendly principles in the veterinary practice not only encourages cat owners to seek veterinary advice, but it also provides a safer, less stressful experience for cats. 

The Cat Friendly Clinic accreditation scheme started as a competition to encourage veterinary professionals to think about how cats might experience a visit to their clinic. It then evolved into a fully-fledged programme, looking to transform as many veterinary practices into Cat Friendly Clinics as possible. 

To gain Cat Friendly Clinic status, a veterinary practice must create a cat friendly environment for their patients by modifying the physical space in the clinic; as well as adapting the way the veterinary team interacts with their feline patients. When the Cat Friendly Clinic programme began, some of the ideas around how a clinic might reduce stress for cats were seen as innovative. Many practices felt it wasn’t practical to create a feline-only waiting room or ward, or to put hides in recovery cages. But the programme really took off and is now mainstream; with accredited practices throughout the UK and globally, in Europe, Australasia, Asia and the Americas.  

Are dog friendly clinics a ‘thing’?

The Dog Friendly Clinic Scheme (DFCS) was launched in March 2023 by Dogs Trust alongside the BVBA. It was launched to help make vet visits less stressful for dogs. Through the scheme, veterinary clinics are given guidance and practical tips on how to optimise the wellbeing of the dogs in their care. The scheme also helps clinics to tackle problem behaviours in dogs; by addressing a dog’s emotional needs and by providing up-to-date knowledge on dog behaviour. 

For dogs, the benefits of the DFCS can extend away from the veterinary clinic as well. Given the right advice and encouragement from their Dog Friendly Clinic, owners can feel better able to manage their dog’s behaviour. As well as support their dog’s emotional health in all scenarios.

Happy cats and now happy dogs at the vet clinic? Now that’s something we can all agree is a good thing! 

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