Does Your Cat Need Care? Veterinarian References And What To Look For
Which veterinarian is the right choice for your new furry feline family member? You've read reviews, references, and referrals, but you aren't sure which recommendations to follow. Before you pick a practice, take a look at what you need to know about vets, references/recommendations, and the choices available to you.
Do Ask the Vet for Recs
If you're not sure where to start, ask the vet clinic for customer recommendations. These should include reviews from past or present customers. The vet may have these on the practice's website, social media sites, or possibly even written/typed out on paper.
Don't Put Stock Into Generic Reviews
You googled the practice and got dozens of reviews. But none of the reviews seem specific. Avoid recommendations that only include two or three words or are vaguely general. These could include something such as a generic, "Good vet" or, "Great practice."
Generic reviews won't give you the information you need to make an educated decision about your cat's would-be future vet. Not only will these recommendations leave you wanting more knowledge, these anonymous blurbs also may not come from real customers/clients. Anyone can write a review online. General reviews that completely lack anything specific are typically a red flag to watch out for.
Do Talk to Friends and Family
Instead of anonymous online sources, stick with reviews from people you know in real life. Your friends and family members can provide you with honest, detailed reviews of vets they've used for their pets. They can also answer any questions you may have directly. A Q and A session can help you to learn more about what you can expect from the practice, which vets are your best bets (if there are several vets in the office), and anything else you want to know.
Don't Forget About Cat-Specific Questions
Your cat requires special care, and you likely have specific questions about this type of care. You won't learn much about how the vet can help your cat companion if the reviews only speak about dog care. While a dog owner can provide you with general information about the vet practice (such as the hours, responsiveness, or price), they can't really answer cat-focused questions.
If you don't know anyone with a cat or your cat owner friends don't have a preferred vet, you may need to rely on references from your pet's potential new practice. Ask the vet's office for references from clients who have cats. Look for reviews that feature statements about or information on feline services and care.
Keep these tips in mind as you look for a veterinarian near you.