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Cats are famously good at hiding how they feel, which means a vet visit can be far more stressful for them than it looks on the surface. At The Ralph, we aim to make every feline patient’s visit as calm and low-stress as possible, from the moment they arrive until they head home.

Here’s a look at some of the small (and not-so-small) things we do every day to help cats feel safe in our care.

Feeding: Keeping mealtimes low-stress

• Cats often instinctively avoid eating near their bathroom areas or water sources to avoid contamination. We mirror this instinct in the hospital by keeping food, water, and litter trays as separate as possible. It’s a simple change that lowers stress and helps prevent problems like dehydration or house-soiling.

A few other small touches make a big difference, too:

• Fresh water daily, in a wide ceramic bowl. Cats are often put off drinking by narrow bowls that make their whiskers touch the sides. A wide, ceramic bowl encourages better hydration, whereas plastic bowls can harbour smells and put cats off drinking/eating.
• Warming food to body temperature. Cold food straight from the fridge is far less appealing to a cat’s nose. Gently warming meals makes them more palatable and encourages patients to eat (this is especially important during a hospital stay).

Examination: Letting THEM set the pace

A calm examination starts before we even touch the patient.

• By opening the carrier door at the start of the consult, we give the cat time to acclimatise, assess their surroundings and come out in their own time. This is also the perfect window to take a history from the carer, so the cat isn’t being handled while we talk.
• Minimum handling, maximum patience. Wherever possible, we use the least amount of restraint necessary and let cats settle before we begin any hands-on examination or treatment.
• If it’s safe to wait, we wait. A few extra minutes of settling time can make the difference between a stressed visit and a calm one for everyone involved.
• Distraction and comfort for bloods. If a patient isn’t fasted (NPO), offer a Lick-e-lix treat as a distraction during blood draws. We apply EMLA cream in advance where we can, or use Ethycalm spray if time doesn’t allow for EMLA to take effect (this is to numb the skin so patients won’t feel discomfort during the procedure).

Nursing Care: The little things that add up

Once admitted, day-to-day nursing care is just as important as the treatment itself.

• A place to hide. Hiding is a natural coping strategy for cats, and they should be provided an area to be able to hide (cat castle/cardboard box, etc)
• Quiet voices, quiet spaces. Low noise levels and lights, soft voices and minimal unnecessary kennel disturbances all help cats settle and recover.
• Reading the room. If a cat is becoming tense, we’ll pause and give them a short break before continuing, rather than pushing through.
• No strong smells. Perfume, heavily scented hand cream, and lingering dog smells on hands or clothing can all add to a cat’s stress, so we try to be mindful of what we bring into their space.
• Combining treatments where possible, so cats aren’t disturbed repeatedly throughout the day for separate, smaller procedures.
• Preparation is everything. Before we even retrieve a cat from their kennel, all equipment is ready, and the packaging is already opened. This is to avoid rustling for things like bloods/IVs, etc. Our nurses also regularly pain score using the feline grimace scale – pain and stress go hand in hand.

Toileting: Getting the basics right

It might seem minor, but litter tray management has a real impact on feline welfare and behaviour in hospitals.

• Deep enough to dig. Litter contents should be at least 3-4 inches deep, so cats can comfortably dig and bury waste – this also helps contain odour and encourages regular use.
• Spot cleaned daily, ideally as soon as defecation is noticed, to keep trays appealing and hygienic. Additionally, stocking a variety of litter types allows you to match a patient’s familiar home routine, making their stay as stress-free and comfortable as possible.

Together, these steps add up to a hospital experience that’s calmer, safer and less frightening for our feline patients. A relaxed cat is easier (and safer) to examine, more likely to eat and recover well, and simply has a better experience in our care.