Stalking and hunting behaviour is normal and we need to allow our cats to do this safely. We also need to minimise stress, fear and conflict with our cats as they will defend themselves if they feel threatened, risking injury to themselves or us humans!

Cats have specific dietary requirements and different abilities to process food and medications in the body, compared to dogs and people.

Incorrect diets can cause severe disease or even be fatal.

We ensure all areas cats spend time in at the practice are cleaned regularly to remove the scent of other animals. Our dedicated cat consultation room and cat ward have never had dogs in them, so no doggy odours at all!

We use Feliway plug-ins and sprays to provide calming pheromones for our kitty patients.

Reduced grooming and poor coat can be a sign of ill health or decline and any litter tray or toileting problems at home can also indicate pain, injury or distress.

We have larger hospitalisation pens for cats staying overnight or longer so they can have a litter tray a tray away from sleeping and eating places.

Any changes to a cat's home territory can be a cause of stress and behavioural changes.

Cats don't enjoy going to new places and meeting new people, and trips to the vets can be stressful, so we need to reduce this stress as much as possible.

Cats don't want to meet other pets in the practice, and in our cat ward our cat pens don't face one another so our cat patients aren't looking out at strange faces.

Although cats are excellent at hiding it, they feel fear and pain like other animals and people. They are easily startled by loud noises, sudden movements and rough handling.

We handle all our feline patients quietly and calmly, and encourage them to interact with us on their own terms.