Plus-Hex CLINICAL
There are a number of other ways VNs can help to alleviate stress in hospitalised cats( Table 2).
Table 2. Adaptations to kennels that can reduce stress to cats.
Stressors
Handling
Considerations
Other animals • If space allows, provide a separate cat ward away from kennels and barking dogs
Unfamiliar surroundings
• Ensure cat kennels do not face each other or use towels to create visual blockers
• Place Feliway diffusers in the cattery
• Provide boxes in the kennels for cats to hide in
• If practice policy permits, ask the owners to bring a familiar blanket from home
• Ask owners what type of feeding bowl the cat uses( ceramic, metal, plastic or a plate) and provide this type
• Have a selection of cat litter so the cat can be given the type of litter it is used to
• Play classical music at a low volume in the cattery
All the stress-reducing approaches discussed so far will be voided by inconsiderate handling of a cat. While‘ scruffing’ used to be an accepted form of restraint, it causes pain and stress to cats, and there are much gentler and more effective methods of handling [ 7 ].
A towel can be used to gently restrain the more fractious patient, but discuss with your veterinary surgeon( VS) whether chemical restraint / sedation would be appropriate for very stressed, fractious or anxious cats.
Consider each patient ' s individual needs. For example, a senior cat with arthritis may struggle with having its head lifted or its legs dangled over a table for jugular blood sampling. In this case, a soft bed and minimum restraint may be better for the patient.
Take your time and let the cat feel it is in control – you will achieve more with less. Slow blinking and gentle stroking along the cat ' s head and bridge of the nose can help keep the cat relaxed [ 8 ], but avoid prolonged eye contact and the use of‘ shhing’ noises as this sounds very similar to hissing.
In my practice, I became known for my‘ cat song’, which I sang when restraining cats. I found that gentle highpitched singing works wonders in keeping them settled – and it provided much amusement for my colleagues!
Educating owners
Sources of owner-friendly information can be shared via your practice ' s social media pages or newsletters. Sources include the websites of International Cat Care( https:// icatcare. org /) and Cats Protection( https:// www. cats. org. uk /), as well as social media pages such as the one run by Alexandra Taylor(@ thecatnurse _ rvn). Cats Protection, International Cat Care and Vetstoria( https:// www. vetstoria. com / vetstoria-content-packs /) provide content packs that can be used on your practice ' s Facebook page. If you are good at graphic design, you could even make videos, posters and social media graphics on Canva( https:// www. canva. com / en _ gb /).
You could also print out or order supportive leaflets and literature for owners to pick up or view in the practice. International Cat Care provides a tip sheet( https:// icatcare. org / cat-advice) that could be printed and laminated, and Cats Protection produces a range of leaflets on cat care for owners.
Conclusions
VNs are a cat ' s‘ voice’ – as is the case for a patient of any species – and we have to advocate for them.
While dog behaviour is generally better understood and often easier to interpret, cats tend to be more subtle in their behaviour – it is very common to hear comments that cats are‘ aloof’ or‘ don ' t care’ about their owners. My own cat, Maisy, has been described as‘ antisocial’ when people have met her. Being‘ owned’ by Maisy really opened my eyes to cat behaviour – she is very loving, but in her own way, and I treasure the relationship we have and how she shows her affection.
I hope I have inspired you to make some positive changes in your practice, to become feline friendly and to think more‘ cat’. Perhaps you might eventually like to join us‘ cat nurse superheroes’, who advocate for the rights of our feline patients, swoop in to ensure gentle handling is administered, and educate colleagues and clients in the behaviour and needs of cats – often without ever revealing our secret superpowers in cat handling and communication.
I cannot, however, comment on how we look in Lycra!
Volume 40( 3) • June 2025
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