Cat Friendly Clinic

At Highgate Vets we want to make you and your cat feel as comfortable as possible on your visit to us.  We are proud to have achieved the silver award for being Cat Friendly through the International Society of Feline Medicine.  On many aspects, we excel further, fulfilling the requirements for gold standard.  Our Beezon Road surgery was designed with the needs of cats specifically in mind, allowing for the creation of distinctly separate cat waiting, consulting and inpatient spaces.  These principles are echoed at the main surgery as much as possible.

We recognise that because of their unique nature and needs, taking cats to visit a veterinary clinic can be very stressful, both for cats and owners.  The Cat Friendly programme is designed to help address these issues and reduce the stress for cats associated with vet visits leading to happier, healthier lives.  The accreditation recognises that the whole team understands the needs of cats, such as calm approaches and gentle handling, right through to sharing Cat Friendly advice and treatment recommendations.

What does Highgate Vets do for cats?

• Separate seating areas for dogs and cats at each branch.  If your cat becomes anxious in the waiting room please ask at reception and we will endeavour to take your cat to a quiet space until the appointment.
• Cat only consulting room at Beezon Road.
• Weighing scales suitable for cats available for consulting rooms and inpatient spaces.
• 15 minute appointments to allow your cat to acclimatise to its surroundings in the consulting room.
• Rubber mats on the top of the consulting tables so your cat can stand without slipping.
• Separate dog and cat wards.  Our feline patients are more relaxed in these quieter spaces away from dogs.
• Large cat-friendly kennels with soft bedding, blankets and igloo beds to hide in.
• Use of Feliway in the practice.
• Use of quiet clippers and gentle handling to reduce stress when taking blood samples.
• Blood pressure equipment designed to check a cat’s blood pressure with as little stress as possible (making it more accurate).
• Behavioural advice from our Head Nurse, Michelle Read.