{"id":23169,"date":"2023-02-02T22:38:47","date_gmt":"2023-02-02T22:38:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/todaysveterinarybusiness.com\/?p=23169"},"modified":"2023-02-02T22:38:47","modified_gmt":"2023-02-02T22:38:47","slug":"feline-talk-the-talk-0223","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarybusiness.com\/feline-talk-the-talk-0223\/","title":{"rendered":"Make a Beeline for Felines"},"content":{"rendered":"

At a dinner last fall, one of my girlfriends said she finally found a Thanksgiving bowtie for her cat, Oliver, who always wears a bowtie on his collar. Another friend showed cute photos of her polydactyl cat, Mikey, sleeping with his paws outstretched. Then she shared how Mikey uses his extra toes to open kitchen cabinet doors to get food and how he loves to fetch. Mikey is one of four kittens rescued in our neighborhood last year. Their adoptive families use a group text to exchange photos and chat about their cats\u2019 similar personalities.<\/p>\n

Hearing my friends speak lovingly about their feline family members inspired this article. As veterinary professionals, we know that cats are an underserved pet population. So, how about evaluating your communications with cat owners? Do your marketing initiatives attract cat owners? Are you doing everything you can to cater to the needs and desires of cat-owning clients?<\/p>\n

Think Like a Cat Owner<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I suggest reviewing your practice\u2019s website to ensure you focus equally on cats and dogs. For example, does your website have visuals and information about cats or does it mostly center on dogs? Reviewing websites, I noted one with helpful how-to videos for cat and dog owners. However, on another one, I saw \u201cCat Wellness Plans\u201d superimposed over a photo of a family and its dog. Unfortunately, such a marketing mistake can inadvertently send the wrong message to feline owners.<\/p>\n

I recommend leveraging your website and social media to provide links to credible resources on feline medical topics and to post articles on feline health care. Such actions show that your team is interested in and knowledgeable about feline medicine.<\/p>\n

Another way to attract cat owners is to look for opportunities to network with and educate them. For example, you might want to speak to breeder groups, work with local feline rescue groups, and sponsor community events where you showcase your feline medicine expertise.<\/p>\n

Lastly, remember that your hospital d\u00e9cor should be attractive and inviting to cat owners, not just dog owners. Make sure photos and artwork don\u2019t predominately focus on dogs.<\/p>\n

Be Inviting<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Many feline patients are stressed when they enter a veterinary hospital. Often, the stress starts at home when the cat sees the travel carrier. So, send clients an article or video links that provide tips to lower stress during car rides and after arrival at the hospital. Your efforts to minimize feline stress will help cat owners feel more welcome and encourage return visits.<\/p>\n

Also, make your reception room as inviting as possible for cats. If you don\u2019t have a separate waiting room, use signage to designate one area for cats to minimize encounters with dogs and loud noises. Moreover, try to get feline patients into an exam room quickly, allowing clients to let the cat out of its carrier and acclimate to the exam room.<\/p>\n

Here are other ways to support low-stress visits:<\/p>\n