Cat Friendly Veterinary Interactions - 2023

Dr Nathalie Dowgray, BVSc, MRCVS, MANZCVS, PGDip, PhD

Disclaimer• Employed by International Cat Care

• Employed by the University of Liverpool as a post-doc
researcher at the Feline Healthy Ageing Clinic, post
funded by Royal Canin• Also received financial remuneration and gifts forproviding educational material, speaking atconferences, and consultancy work

Outline• What is cat friendly?

• An introduction to Cat Friendly Principles• Understanding a cats needs, the cat centric approach• Feline emotions• What is a cat friendly interaction?
• Tips and Tricks for interactions
Source: Simonscat.com

JFMS Cat Friendly Special issue:
November 2022

The importance of being cat friendly
is welfare?
"WhatI PROMISEAND SOLEMNLY DECLARE that I will
pursue the work of my profession with integrity
and accept my responsibilities to the public, my
EncompassingboththeRoyal
physicalclients, the profession
and theCollege ofVeterinaryand
Surgeons,
and wellbeing
that, ABOVE ALL, myhealthmentalconstant endeavour will be to ensure the(emotionaland cognitive
health and welfare of animals committed tohealth) of themycatcare.”
RCVS OathEvolving for catsHow to put cat friendly into action?
• Optimize your environment basedon understanding of cats needs• Adapt how you interact and care forcats based on an understanding ofcats needsUnderstanding a catsneeds
The cat centric approach

Understand the species• Species specific behavioural biology• Socially diverse as a species but fixed as
individuals• Solitary for survival• Obligate carnivore• Territorial and ranging• Highly sensorial with specialism in chemicalcommunication• Cognitive and emotionally complex

Socially diverse as a species but fixed as individuals

The feline sociability spectrum

Feline emotions

Credit: Dr Sarah Heath

Frustration
HIGHRepulsion

PRO
T
E
CT
I
V
E

Avoidance Pain
Anxiety

Joy

CareValence
LO
W

Inhibition

Lust

ENG
A
GI
N
G

Fear

Appeasement

ArousalEating treats,relaxed body
posture,sleeping,
purring,
approachingpeopleWhat is a cat friendly interaction in aveterinary context?
A Cat Friendly interaction is aninteraction between a person and acat that respects the cat as anindividual while still achieving therequired outcome.

Tips and tricks forinteracting with cats

Preparation• History• Previous owner• Previous veterinary visits

Don’t use language like ‘aggressive’, ‘fractious’,‘naughty’ or ‘spicy’ these do not help colleagues with• What worked,
whatthedidn’t?
understanding
cat’s emotional state andresponses to the emotional state. Try to• Healthbehavioral
conditions
likely from?
emotional
state wasthat
• Whererecord
did what
the thecatmostcome
Whatpreviousto thatbehaviouralresponse.
experienceslead
have
they
had, what
are their genetics…

Visual assessment• Always work in a room where thecat is safe to freely roam
• Allow the cat to come out on their
Talk softly
own•accordMoveslowlyand and• Give•themtime
to explore
acclimatise
deliberately• Observe
movementtheand body•
Encourage
languagecaregiver
totodoachieve• Try to allow
the cattheir behavioral
the sameresponse• Hiding• Jumping down off table
Credit: FHAC

st1 interaction• Come to the same level as thecat• Avoid leaning over andcornering• Don’t make eye contact• Slow blink if do• Move slowly and deliberately• Extend a soft handWhere to touch?
How to interact with your cat – theBattersea way:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=UwqG2wLb0KQ

st1 interaction – won’t leave carrier?
• Passively offer treats• Remove top ½ of carrier
can cover withtowel/blanket• Scope out of top ifrequired• Gently slide out of side
opening on beddingAdditional tips if lifting• Four to the floor• Use caregiver where possible• Use base of carrier where possible• Use large towels/blankets toscope and mimic sense ofcontact with ground• If leaving the room always placein carrierExamination

Credit: FHAC

Towel wrapping and holds• Hands free
• Minimal restraint• Loose towel• Tighter towel• Towel wrap
• ‘Purrito’

Credit: FHAC

Controversy• Scruffing• Clips that mimic scruffing• Full body restraint• Cat Bags
• Gauntlets / thick gloves• Muzzles / air muzzles• Elizabethan collars• Anesthetic induction boxes• Pillowcases• Mesh cat ‘nabbers’ / cat tongs• Rabies poles

Physicalinteractionsand routineuseCredit: FHAC

Protective cats
50%reduction
in CKD catsDon’t be afraid to use anxiolytics

They have learnt the most successful
Gabapentin 100mg-200mg per cat or 20mg/kg
behavioralTrazadone
responsetoprotective50-100mg per cat or10mg/kg
emotions is repelling behaviors
Must still have a cat friendly environment and use cat
friendly interactions

Sedation?

2022 AAFP/ISFM Cat Friendly Veterinary interaction Guidelines, Rodan et al. JFMS

Consider becoming a Cat Friendly Clinic

For further information visit
www.catfriendlyclinic.org

Thank you