Objectives: The aim of this study was two-fold: first, to investigate the attitudes and application of cat-friendly practices among German, French and Swiss veterinarians during consultations; and second, to gain a better understanding of the relationship between the demographics of the veterinarians and variations in the application of cat-friendly practices and attitudes.
Methods: A bilingual questionnaire structured around the capability, opportunity, motivation and behaviour (COM-B) model of human behaviour was distributed to veterinarians in Germany, France and Switzerland. Using Likert scales, participants were asked to report on their application of cat-friendly practices during consultations and their attitudes towards cat-friendly methods. The proportion of cat-friendly practices and attitudes were identified by grouping results across Likert scales. Multiple binary logistic regression models were performed to compare the differences in cat-friendly practices and attitudes across the three countries. Cumulative scores were calculated for practices and attitudes, and analysed for associations with veterinarian demographics using a general linear model.
Results: Of the 516 respondents, 36.2% used scruffing to restrain cats, 51.9% prescribed anxiolytics for future visits and 17.1% used medication to mitigate stress during consultations. Only 37.6% thought that caregivers expected to be educated on how to prevent or reduce stress in their cats during transport. Having an employee position rather than being clinic director or partner was associated with a lower score of cat-friendly practices (P <0.01) and motivation (P = 0.02). Whereas, awareness of cat-friendly guidelines, working in a Cat Friendly or Fear Free accredited clinic and being trained in animal behaviour contributed to higher scores in both cat-friendly practices and overall attitudes (P <0.001).
Conclusions and relevance: Education and promotion of guidelines on cat-friendly practices will facilitate improvements in handling cats and mitigating fear-anxiety with medication.
Keywords: COM-B model; Welfare; cross-cultural; low-stress handling; veterinary practice.
Methods to prevent forceful restraint or an aversive environment have been developed to reduce cats’ stress during veterinary visits. Information on the application of these cat-friendly methods is lacking in European countries such as Germany, France and Switzerland. Filling this information gap on cat-friendly practices is crucial to provide veterinarians with the necessary information to prioritise the application of feline stress reduction methods. A questionnaire was distributed to veterinarians working with companion animals in Germany, France, and Switzerland. Participants were asked to report on their practices during consultations and their opinions towards cat-friendly methods. Of the 516 respondents, 89.9% waited for the cat to leave its carrier itself during the consultation. When the cat required restraining, 36.2% of the respondents still used methods that may cause the cat stress. For cats exhibiting fear or anxiety, only 51.9% of the respondents prescribed anxiolytics for future visits. Furthermore, only 37.6% of the respondents thought that owners expected to be educated on how to prevent or reduce stress in their cats during transport. Having an employee position rather than being clinic director or partner was associated with a decrease in the application of cat-friendly methods and in being motivated to apply these methods. However, being aware of cat-friendly methods, working in a Cat Friendly or Fear Free accredited clinic and being trained in animal behaviour contributed to an increase in cat-friendly practices and in motivation to prevent cat stress. The results of the study highlight the importance of promoting cat-friendly methods, by developing educational programmes. The results also stress the need to empower veterinarians in an employee position to ensure commitment to cat-friendly practices.