Choosing the Right Vet for Your Diabetic CatFinding a trustworthy, feline-savvy vet—especially during a health crisis—can be stressful. Here are some tips and questions gathered from experienced caregivers to help guide you through the process of evaluating a new vet or improving communication with your current one.
Getting Started
- Ask for a meet-and-greet before bringing your cat. Some clinics allow caregiver-only visits to discuss care philosophy (may come with a fee).
- Talk to clients in the waiting room—their feedback is often telling.
- Check reviews online, state vet boards, and licensing sites to see if there have been complaints.
- Follow your instincts—trust, communication, and respect matter.
Suggested Questions to Ask
Relationship & Communication
- Are they open to collaborative care and willing to listen to your observations?
- How do they prefer to communicate—phone, email, portal, etc.?
- Will they explain test results and discuss treatment options?
- Will they email test results?
- Are they okay with follow-up questions after a visit (even if a fee applies)?
Experience & Facility
- Do they see mostly cats, or have special feline training?
- Are cats separated from dogs in the waiting area?
- Will they offer a tour of their facilities?
- Is dental work done in-house, and do they take x-rays before and after?
- Do they allow you to be present during tests or procedures?
Testing & Equipment
- Do they have in-house diagnostics (labs, x-rays, ultrasound)?
- What external labs do they use?
- Do they use Doppler blood pressure equipment?
Feline Diabetes Care
- Are they familiar with home testing and comfortable with human meters?
- Will they allow you to adjust insulin doses based on home test results?
- Do they rely on in-office curves or fructosamine testing?
- Are they familiar with Lantus, Levemir, or other common feline insulins?
Medications & Pain Management
- Do they prescribe pain meds for arthritis or pancreatitis?
- Will they respect your preferences about avoiding certain medications?
- Are they open to writing scripts for online pharmacies or compounding meds?
Advanced & Emergency Care
- Are they proactive about testing for conditions like acromegaly or IAA?
- Do they have a plan for emergencies—or a relationship with an emergency clinic?
Bonus Resource
Looking for a cat-friendly practice? The American Association of Feline Practitioners has a search tool to help you find feline-focused clinics.
Your vet should be your partner. With the right questions and expectations, you can find someone who supports both you and your cat on this journey.
- Tim
Change Log:
Created on 5/19/2025.
Sources:
American Association of Feline Practitioners. Cat Friendly Homes. 2025, Home | The Cat Community.
Feline Diabetes Message Board. "Vet Interview/Screening Topics & Check List." FelineDiabetes.com, 22 Apr. 2016, Vet Interview/Screening Topics & Check List | Feline Diabetes Message Board - FDMB.