Table 3.
Effective communication strategies for veterinary professionals when discussing obesity prevention with cat owners
| Strategies for effective communication | Ways to implement strategies | Justification |
|---|---|---|
| Utilize all members of the veterinary team | • Delegate aspects of communication to trained technicians or other veterinary support staff | Utilizing the knowledge and skill sets of all staff members in the practice can help provide pet owners with a variety of perspectives, suggestions and techniques for preventing obesity in their cat, and can maximize staff members’ time |
| Consider using the relationship-centered approach | • Treat relationships with pet owners as a partnership
• Recognize and understand the client’s perspectives, motivations and expertise 82 • Avoid authoritarian language, judgment and blame • Provide individualized, financially accessible, prevention strategies |
Including owners in the decision-making process and ensuring their opinions are valued can lead to increased adherence to care69,78 |
| Begin discussion at the first veterinary appointment for any cat owner, though specifically for owners of kittens, regardless of growth stage | • Provide/explain a BCS/growth chart
• Include obesity prevention strategies in a kitten package or other brochures • Introduce ways to increase physical activity and enrichment (interactive feeding toys, dedicated play times) |
Proper communication early on can promote obesity awareness to the cat owner and aid in preparations for prevention11,68,69,83,84 |
| Encourage regular veterinary checkups for cat owners | • Encouragement can include: kitten’s improved behavior, specifically when at the clinic; early detection of diseases or disorders (reducing long-term costs and improving overall welfare); maintaining appropriate vaccination status; and an improved relationship between the veterinary team and owner68,85,86 | Explaining the benefits of regular veterinary visits during the cat’s growth stage can encourage owners to schedule more frequent visits, allowing for greater maintenance of a weight management plan |
BCS = body condition score