Fear Free

Posted on December 26, 2024

For most cats, a trip to the vet can be an overwhelming experience. Some cats may get car sick or so stressed out that they need medication to calm them down before their visit. This stress all takes place before they get into the vet’s office. While they are there, they are exposed to different sounds, smells and possible barking dogs. They may be there for a checkup which involves getting shots or they might be very ill and need additional tests.

A certified Fear Free Veterinarian practice can assist with most if not all the above.

Fear Free is the concept of practicing veterinary medicine that involves reducing the feelings of stress in our furry friends. This will result in a better experience for all involved.

Hi5 Cat Training spoke with Jelena Lalovic, DVM, owner of Vethouse Pet Care in Clarks Summit, PA. Vethouse is a Fear Free practice. That means Dr. Lalovic, and her team of vet techs are all certified in practicing Fear Free techniques.

Dr. Lalovic: "Can you tell us what makes your practice unique when it comes to using a Fear Free approach?"

“We try to make your vet visit a positive experience for your cat before he/she arrives at our clinic. Prior to your visit you will receive a questionnaire as well as instructions on how to make your round trip to the vet less stressful. Once you arrive, we strive to get you and your cat into an exam room immediately to avoid spending time in the waiting room. The spaces for cats and dogs are separated by a visual barrier, so the cats do not see the dogs. We also have elevated tables in the waiting room to place the carrier on them – cats prefer not to be on the floor in a scary situation. All of this improves the visit for your cat, but what makes us different from most practices is that we do not have a treatment area we take the pets to - everything we do is done in the exam room with the owners present. And that makes the cats feel more secure. “

“The techniques we use focus on positive reinforcement. “

“We use a variety of treats as it gives your cat something different to focus on.

We also use minimal or no restraint - we will never scruff your cat. It is amazing that we can give vaccines to most cats while they are walking around on the counter or eating treats, and they seem to not even notice the injections. This technique is also used when we draw blood, do ultrasounds, X-rays, etc.

Another important thing to mention is that we prefer cats to walk out of their carriers on their own, or we take the carrier apart to be able to pick them up gently. Trying to pull a scared cat out of the carrier while shaking it upside down can really have a negative effect on the entire visit before the exam even begins, so this is never recommended. Some cats that are still scared even with all these measures may also need to take anxiety medications before the appointments. This makes the trip and the visit safer and less stressful for both the cat and pet parent.”

We thank Dr. Lalovic for telling us about her Fear Free practice. These techniques are used not only on cats but dogs as well.