Gentle Cat Handling at Spay/Neuter Clinics
These videos demonstrate ways to safely and gently handle cats in a spay/neuter clinic setting. Included are videos on:
- Key concepts of Gentle Animal Handling
- Compassionate interaction for dogs and cats
- Stress reduction techniques for cats
- Open-burrito wrap restraint for cats
- Modified scarf wrap restraint for cats
- C-hold restraint for cats
- Baseball hold restraint for cats
- Cat restraint for a medial saphenous blood draw
Also see our Gentle Dog Handling at Spay/Neuter Clinics.
Key Concepts of Gentle Animal Handling
Gentle Animal Handling is grounded in several key concepts that guide safe, effective and low-stress interactions with animals. These concepts support stress reduction, improve patient cooperation and promote staff safety. This video introduces preparation, clear communication, adaptability, offering choice and patience as the foundational concepts of Gentle Animal Handling.
Compassionate Interaction for Dogs and Cats
Compassionate interaction incorporates Fear Free concepts used to reduce fear, anxiety and stress during veterinary care. This video demonstrates considerate approach, gentle control and touch gradient, and how these concepts are applied together to improve patient comfort, increase cooperation and support safer handling.
Stress Reduction Techniques for Cats
Cats are highly sensitive to their surroundings, and even small environmental stressors can have a big impact on their behavior. In this video, we’ll focus on controlling the environment to support feline comfort, such as reducing noise and visual stimulation, providing hiding opportunities and using tools like towels and pheromones. Thoughtful environmental management helps cats feel safer, and decreases fear and defensive behaviors.
Open-Burrito Wrap Restraint for Cats
Towels wraps can be a low stress alternative to scruffing a cat. An open-burrito wrap allows the cat to have their head exposed while their body is tucked into a towel. This is an easy method of restraint for examining the head or administering medication via the mouth, eyes, or ears.
Modified Scarf Wrap Restraint for Cats
A modified scarf wrap works well when access to the cephalic vein is needed in fearful or wiggly cats. The cat is comfortable and secure, and the handler remains safe.
C-Hold Restraint for Cats
Most cats do best with a simple C-hold during exams and non-painful procedures. Learn this simple technique in our short how-to video.
Baseball Hold Restraint for Cats
The "baseball hold" is a beneficial head hold for cats when a considerable amount of control is necessary.
Cat Restraint for a Medial Saphenous Blood Draw
Watch this video to learn a gentle method to place a cat in lateral recumbency while obtaining a blood sample from a medial saphenous vein.
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