Purrfect your client’s feline knowledge! E-newsletters are a proven way to increase and improve communication with your clients. With that in mind, we have created some content for you below, which you can use or edit as needed. You can also use it as guide or template to create your own. We recommend you focus on quick facts, as well as tips about cats and your practice.
Topic: Examination Room Anxiety
From the Cat Friendly Practice® desk
Is your cat frightened or anxious with traveling or while at the veterinary practice for their checkup? If so, here are a few things you can do to help make this experience less stressful for your cat.
- In your home, keep your cat’s carrier out. Avoid putting it away in the garage or in a closet. By having the carrier out and accessible, your cat will view it as a normal part of their environment. When your cat can easily enter and exit the carrier in your home, they can become comfortable with it and leave some of their own scent on it as well.
- Refrain from feeding your cat two to three hours before your scheduled veterinary visit. This way your cat is more likely to accept a treat while being examined at the practice.
- If your cat is anxious about leaving home, ask your veterinarian about the option of administering anti-anxiety medication to your cat a few hours before leaving for the veterinary appointment.
- Let the veterinary team know of your cat’s treat preferences or bring some from home.
- When it is time to transport your cat in the carrier, cover it with a towel. The towel allows your cat to “hide” and can dampen unfamiliar sounds.
- Keep the towel over the carrier until you place it down in the examination room. The veterinary staff may choose to use the towel to partially cover your cat during the examination.
- During the examination, talk to your cat in a low-pitched, soothing voice to help to reduce any anxiety.
- Remember that some human behaviors can cause stress or anxiety for your cat. These include talking or staring at your cat’s face, or using sounds like, “shh,” which can sound like a hissing cat.
- Please remember not to reprimand your cat if he or she hisses or growls. Your kitty is exhibiting normal feline behavior, and it is the role of the veterinary team to respond in a way that will help reduce your cat’s anxiety or fear.
For more information, please visit https://catfriendly.com/role-veterinary-visits
Topic: Behavior – My cat doesn’t want to play very often. Is that normal?
My three-year old cat, Fiona, will only play for a short period of time. Is that normal?
Every cat is unique and enjoys different amounts of playtime based on their age, temperament, needs, and abilities. If Fiona used to play more frequently and now play is infrequent, please have your veterinarian examine her to ensure there isn’t a medical reason for this change in behavior.
There are many ways you can promote playtime with your cat:
- Encourage your cat to play by using interactive toys that mimic prey, such as a toy mouse.
- Pull the toy across the floor or wave a feather wand through the air and watch your cat stalk or chase after it.
- Be sure your cat gets to capture the ‘prey’ at the end of her play so she feels accomplished in her hunt.
- Try using food puzzles so your cat has to work for her treat as well as to encourage her to play more frequently.
- Be sure to rotate your cat’s toys on a routine basis to avoid boredom.
- Keep in mind, when Fiona is done playing, she will let you know by walking away. When this happens, don’t try to force her to interact. Wait and allow Fiona to initiate play again.
For more information on playing with your cat, please visit: https://catfriendly.com/playing
Topic: Cats and Elevated Places
Have you ever noticed that your cat likes to be up high and perhaps feel superior? Cats need to have places where they can retreat, rest, and feel safe. When cats are up high, they can easily survey the entire area for potential threats. Also, try and make sure you have a few spaces around your home that are just big enough for one cat, has sides around it, and is off of the ground. Cat perches, cat trees, cardboard boxes, etc., can make great safe spaces for your cat. There should be as many spaces as there are cats in your home, and each space should be in a separate area so each cat can choose to be on their own, if desired.
For more information on how to create a safe space, please visit: https://catfriendly.com/territory
NOTE: We recommend placing these content links within buttons in your newsletter. Utilizing buttons over text links can increase your click-through rate dramatically.