Choosing a vet for your cat
Next to you and your family, your cat's vet is the most
important person in her life. After all, the vet will be
responsible for her health throughout her 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.
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Alternatively, a good place to start your search is through
the phone book or 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.
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.