Get Quotes Contact Us Sign In
Website
Call
Williams Rosemarie Veterinarian We're cat-lovers ourselves and have focused on creating a clean, calm, and bark-free veterinary clinic that makes kitties comfortable. Often referred to as "the Cat Whisperer", Dr. Elston was one of the first vets in the country to focus exclusively on cats. Dr. Blair has had a lifelong passion for helping animals, and has been working exclusively with cats for several years.

We believe the best veterinarians are continually learning, so we stay up to date on the latest developments in feline medicine, allowing us to offer comprehensive care for your cat.
Services
Established by Dr. Tom Elston, T.H.E. Cat Hospital was founded on the belief that cats (and their owners) deserve a higher level of care than they often receive in mixed dog-and-cat hospitals. We understand that taking your cat to the vet can be a stressful experience - especially when there are other animals present.
Regular office visits are an important first step in a preventative care plan, as they help surface any issues before they become medical problems. Different types of cats need different kinds of care depending on their age, and we offer exams for all of them. Our team can help you determine what's the right type for you, including several different types of consultations.
Often called "the Cat Whisperer, " Dr. Elston is perfectly suited for his profession. In fact, cats have been his life's work, and he was one of the first doctors in the country to specialize in cat-only Veterinary Medicine over 35 years ago. His calm demeanor will not only put your furry friends at ease, but as he takes you through what's going on with them, you may find yourself wishing he were your physician too. If you think your cat is having a medical emergency after our business hours, you have two options.
Dr. Blair's lifelong passion for helping animals developed early, as she cared for her family's pets at a young age. Deciding she wanted to make her passion a profession, she got her doctorate in veterinary medicine and began working with dogs, cats, and pocket pets. After a few years, she realized she bonded most with her feline patients, and began working exclusively with cats - even beginning advanced training in feline medicine and focusing on techniques to reduce anxiety and keep cats relaxed during their vet visits.
Reviews (34)
Write a Review
Stephane J.
Jun 30, 2022
Came here at the end of May. My cat was having allergy problems. She was scared and didn't want to come out of her carrier. Dr. Starr took care of her with love and coaxed her out. She injected her with meds and directed me to purchase a different protein for her food to see if that would help with her allergies. We are still waiting to see which protein is the best for her. Overall, I have brought my cats to different vets and I found Dr. Star to be the best. She is very thorough and kind.
Ellen M.
Jun 10, 2022
First visit for my older kitty and the staff was incredible! Excellent communication from everyone and I loved all the details and thoroughness from the doctors. I didn't find them to be too pricey and I loved that they offer to clip my babies claws too! Will be going back. They took great care of my older kitty and I left very impressed. Thank you everyone who helped with Emmie Lou!
Michele W.
Mar 03, 2022
Very poorly run clinic, disorganized staff, condescending doctor and staff. Tracy, specifically, has a very bad attitude, and why I will absolutely never go back. Scheduled me for a 20 minute exam when I was clear when I booked the appointment I needed vaccines, follow up for a chronic health issue, blood work, and discussion. They didn't tell me this was only a 20 minute appointment. Never saw the facilities, but my cat never came back happy almost scared. Caution with this clinic.
Alexandra P.
Mar 01, 2022
I've written a review for them and I'll write it again. They are the BEST. The staff really do love cats. I feel so reassured because I know they're doing a thorough job in their exams. They've never tried to up-charge me for random exams and extras. I trust them with my baby, and I recommend every cat parent go to them!
Kara A.
Jan 09, 2022
My husband and I are first time cat owners and finding a good vet was very difficult for us. One of our cats in particular has a herpesvirus so she can be very sickly when she breaks out. A couple of vets misdiagnosed her, but after we took her to Dr. Elston, she has been so much better! He has been able to diagnose and treat her where no one else could.

In one instance, her third eyelid sealed shut on Christmas Eve and we couldn't see any vet until the following Monday (and Dr. Elston wasn't available). We got an initial diagnosis from another vet saying she needed eye surgery, and when I explained the situation to Dr. Elston and the techs, they agreed to see her that same day. He ended up diagnosing what was wrong with her eye without the need for any surgery! Dr. Elston and the vet techs have gone above and beyond for us and our cats (especially our sickly one) and I trust no other vet.

You can tell Dr. Elston and staff really care about cats and will do everything they can to help. It is also nice that Dr. Elston calls you himself and explains everything in medical terms without dumbing anything down. He knows what he's doing and always gives us detailed instructions for treatment. I want to note as well that both of our cats had issues with fleas and ringworm, and Dr. Elston not only treated them, but wanted frequent check ups to make sure they were okay. Yes, the bills can be expensive, but you are paying for a knowledgeable vet, good medicine, and compassionate staff. They know us by name and are always happy to see our cats. Thank you Cat Hospital, especially for taking care of our Satinie-Beanie.
Janice D.
Jan 07, 2022
We are new to OC/anxious kitty custodians just moved from Sonoma. One of our seniors around the holidays started presenting some acute and chronic issues. Was so relieved that this practice took him in in a timely way just two days after our move. His former NorCal dog-centric vet never really wanted to bother with him without anesthesia, as he had a bad extraction experience with a dog-centric vet (no disrespect, but dog vets are different).

So of course even with routine check ups and sky high bills, his care suffered. Not here. We are in HB and willing to put in the 40-mile round trip. So delighted to have a great partner in cat care, particularly during this challenging COVID time. I just hope and pray Dr. Elston has no immanent retirement plans on the horizon. Such a gift to find a "cat whisperer" vet. Rare find. Heartfelt thanks to you and your team.
P. G. V.
Jan 04, 2022
This was a $300 disappointment. I understand with Covid-19, vets are severely impacted and appointments take time. So, I waited for my appointment date while my cat lost his hair. I followed all pre-appointment instructions, filled in all forms and was charged a pre-payment of $95 for my first visit. I was instructed to watch a video about the Drop-off procedure and appreciated how this was in place to help keep everyone safe. Finally, the day came when I could bring my cat in.

It was raining. I parked and called the office expecting to follow the protocol of a staff member coming take my cat in his carrier out of my car --but was told to bring him into the office myself. I guess when it rains, all bets are off for safety because when I took my cat in - the two members of the reception staff I had to check in with DID NOT have masks on.

I was extremely disappointed and a little shocked. I went back to my car and waited while my cat was examined. The Dr called and we discussed treatment. I went back into the office thru the rain, paid $300 (minus my $95 deposit) and left. It would be different if my cat's condition improved but this is not the case. I'm looking for another vet.
Anthony Campbell
Dec 17, 2021
Compassionate expertise. Cannot find enough words to fully explain the amazing care they provide to our sweet feline.
Salena Marie P.
Dec 07, 2021
This review is long overdue, we absolutely love the cat hospital! My senior kitty has some chronic conditions and I decided she needed more attentive care with a consistent vet so I brought her here. Best decision I made for her! Our prev vet wanted to sedate her each time we did simple blood work but here they are able to manage my grumpy kitty. They have patience and truly understand cats.

Her CKD is now controlled and we come every week for subq fluids. We started coming during the pandemic so I've never actually been inside but they have easy drop off process. I also love that they have everything you need! You can purchase prescription diet foods and compounded medications to easily give your cat. Yea it's a bit pricey and they don't have care credit, but it's worth the extra money to know my cat is at ease in their care.

The staff is amazing I love Tracey! They are always friendly and helpful even with last minute changes. The only con is their limited hours given Dr Elston is the only vet, if he's out on vacation he can sometimes consult over the phone but will recommend seeing another vet for urgent issues. My cat recently started treatment for lymphoma and they have been working with her oncologist ensuring appropriate management.

They also helped me set up the process to order the chemo meds thru another pharmacy by mail. We've been coming here a little over a year now and I am happy with the care received and my kitty is doing great!
Giuliano Argenti
Oct 21, 2021
Very receptive and friendly, as well as extremely comprehensive as far as feline-specific veterinary care goes. They will be the vets I trust with my bonded pair of two year old cats and my 6 month old kitten for the rest of their lives.
Shara C.
Oct 04, 2021
They're a little on the pricier side but we bring our kitty here the vet is very knowledgeable and attentive. The rest of the staff is also very nice as well which believe it or not is sometimes hard to find at some vets. They also had a kitten available for adoption we decided to wait to get one but the nurse was nice enough to let me hold the kitten.
Paul S.
Aug 31, 2021
I've been taking my cats to see Dr. Elston for about 15 years, I think, maybe longer. He's great. He does a careful and thorough examination. He's gentle with the cats. The staff is great. The waiting area is comfortable. There are no dogs to put off the cats. I highly recommend this veterinary clinic for cats. They sell "Da Bird" wands and feathers, which my cats love, because they twirl as they move through the air. It seems like most pet stores don't sell those.
Oc R.
Aug 17, 2021
I scheduled an appointment for my two cats, and the night before received an email requesting the completion of an online "dropoff form." Because my cats get traumatized by the trip to the vet, I wanted to be with them. When I called the office this morning I learned that they were doing only curbside; Dr. Elston picks up the cats from the curb. I explained this was not acceptable, and I would need to cancel.

The receptionist admonished me in a very rude tone, "well, if you cancel, you will have to pay a deposit if you schedule again." I should have been informed in advance of this procedure. And, I will not be bringing my cats to Dr. Elston again. We will go back to the mobile veterinarian service we have used for the last couple of years. Despite the response below, we were never informed of the practice when the appointment was scheduled or rescheduled.

And the email with the drop off form was sent only the day before and I called as soon as business opened the next day. If you don't want to have cancellations, then inform your clients when appointments are made. This is much better than a punitive fine for your own poor ommunication skills.
Karen N.
Jul 14, 2021
In the past I always rated this place with 5 stars. Last trip was disappointing. Took my cats, took my money. Never called with results on tests and never heard about the exam. I called and finally got bloodwork after playing tag and being called back when I explicitly said I was unavailable. I'm assuming the exam didn't find anything? I called again until I got blood work info. Asked to email me blood work so I can look things up - didn't happen. Claws trimming used to be complementary but they charged me this time and didn't ask me if I wanted the service and I had to go back over and trim a couple claws that didn't get clipped. Asked 3 times for the diet prescription before I finally got it emailed to me. What happened to you guys!?
Cats Gf
Jun 27, 2021
Really great. I needed to travel international and the paperwork and days before traveling are not simple by USDA requirements. Thanks a lot Luna
Theresa Thibodeaux
Jun 15, 2021
We absolutely love Dr. Blair. We've been bringing our kitty here since he was 6 months. He is now 11. The staff is very caring, the facility is wonderfully designed for cats, and we always leave feeling well cared for.
Anna D.
May 31, 2021
They have a really great interface on their website, making it easy to find information. During COVID, had to call to make an appointment, but it was very easy to do so. The staff is very responsive, the facilities are very clean, and even during COVID, the pickup/drop off process was a breeze. The services might be pricier than other places, but the quality is reflective of that.

Your cat gets to be in a cat-only office, and you interact with very professional staff and a vet on top of her game. We have no problems bringing our kitty back here even though we've moved much farther away.
A. M. Perry
May 23, 2021
We love this vet so much, as do Paul, Turkey and Uter! Dr. Blair is so kind, gentle and knowledgable. She and the whole staff are very patient with the sometimes (who am I kidding, mostly) difficult Paul Perry. I believe it is important for your pets to be as comfortable as possible at the vet and, with cats, it can really help to have a very cat positive vet and calm waiting room and T.H.E. Cat Hospital really provides this.
Tee Co
Apr 24, 2021
They are amazing! Took my boy to be neutered here at 6 mos and for annual exams since love them and the fact that they are cat only is amazing! Hope I never need to see them for an illness but if I did, I would not go anywhere else! Great doctors great staff and super careful with handling things during covid! Could not be happier thank you so so much!
Jim S.
Apr 13, 2021
The doctor and staff took extremely good care of our kitty. It was obvious that because the doctor has spent decades, only taking care of cats, that he could figure out what was wrong quickly. He is a brilliant specialist, in cats. I am grateful for the professional, competent and loving help the entire office gave our kitty.
Diggy G.
Apr 04, 2021
I wish I would have set up an appt sooner! They speak cat when other vets cannot. I received solid detailed information about my baby and it meant everything!
Joelene J.
Mar 04, 2021
They got my kitty in fast, interpreted all the medical records and gave me a game plan. My old vet couldn't figure out our issue so I had to come here. They have a new regular client!
J. T. Lawrence
Dec 19, 2020
My wife and I would like to thank everyone at The Cat Hospital after seeing our cat Summer in late February. Summer had high bilirubin and jaundice for almost a year. We had been going to another vet and after many tests and visits they couldn't come to a proper conclusion. Summer had taken a turn for the worst and we thought we would get one more opinion before making the difficult decision. (We even had ordered an Urn and gone down that dark rabbit hole of emotions) A special thank you to the substitute Vet while Dr. Elston was out of the office.

She examined and prescribed medication that seemed to really help Summer. And a special thank you to Dr. Elston for reviewing all of Summer's records and spending time with me on the phone as I went through everything that I thought could be the problem. He was kind, patient, and persistent that her results pointed to toxins. So my wife and I racked our brains and our apartment and concluded it must be this "Gasteria" succulent that while some websites declare it to be safe, it is part of the Aloe family.

Sure enough after riding our place of the plant and giving her the medications she has recovered. We only wish we had found this vet the first go round. Regardless, thank you again!
David C.
Nov 29, 2020
I took our 17 1/2 year old DML cat "Poofy" to T.H.E. Cat Hospital to try and untangle her beautiful black coat which she could no longer groom. I didn't know what to expect when they recommended shaving her. Well, they have given Poofy (and her owners) a new lease on life. Poofy is a happy, dignified elderly lady now, who has regained her lost agility and has a renewed interest in self grooming of her new body. She is shaved to look like a lion, so amuses us and pleases us, as she is a much happier puss now! David in Irvine
Cecilia C.
Nov 12, 2020
We took our cat here for a second opinion during COVID. T.H.E Cat Hospital surely is busy, so make sure you set up an appointment at least a week ahead (don't know if this is only due to limitations with hours and logics during COVID.) Pretty standard operation for COVID, in terms of drop off. It's nice that they have designated spots for drop off.

One thing they do differently is that they have a long drop off form for you to fill prior to get more of the story before hand. Basically arrive, call the number and someone will check you in. Tech comes out and gets your info and brings your cat in, and you get a call from the vet when they are ready to give you the plan. Approve / decline parts of the plan and you get another phone call from staff to check out and your cat comes back to you.

Overall this is a specialty cat vet that runs more like a boutique. They have a 75$ no show fee. Anyway, they were able to diagnose my cat better than the general vet we went to before. Deducted one star, for time it took for labs to get back. Also we wanted to have them look at one skin issue our cat had, which the vet said he addressed but when we checked it didn't look like anything was done.

Not sure if this is just a limitation due to COVID, likely if we were in person we could at least point at where our cat's issue was. Guess during these times video would be helpful but I wonder if any vet is using FaceTime or such with things the way they are. Recommend if you need a cat vet.
Kira M.
Aug 26, 2020
Edit as of 4/22: Needed a couple emergency-ish visits for my old man cat over the last couple of weeks, and wanted to edit my review to reflect how, despite the challenges presented by Pandemic2020, the team here absolutely maintained their usual high-quality service. Felt VERY safe with the precautions they took, and my little dude is already on the mend.

I always swear I'm going to review this place; they definitely deserve it. Great clinic all around. Dr. Blair is fantastic with my ancient cat and is always extra cautious with him, which I super appreciate. The techs are all very, very patient (special shout out to Oscar, who tolerates my cat's irrational loathing with far more kindness that my cat probably deserves) and professional. Reception staff is also fantastic and helpful with scheduling, etc.

I've always had great experiences with vets, but these guys really stand out as something special! Definitely echoing what other reviews have said about prices being fair, too. Highly recommended.
Elizabeth C.
Aug 14, 2020
I love this place! Been taking my cat Jigglypuff to the Tustin location for several years and the Marina De Rey prior to that. The staff is friendly and attentive and always gives sweet Jigglypuff lots of attention and care during her boarding stay. Dr. Ellison is a great and a true cat whisperer. Go here!
Holly B.
Aug 08, 2020
We are SO glad we took our aging cat (she's 14) to see Dr Elston yesterday! The previous Vet we had been taking her to for 2 years basically diagnosed her with IBD a few months ago and gave us a few options for treatment. After exhausting those options, we decided to seek out a Cat-only Vet to see if we could get another opinion and further information on her condition.

Let me just say that my husband is a Microbiologist and works in the supplement industry, so he's picky about Vets because he's analytical and he wants all the details he can get. He does a LOT of research and most Vets do not quite live up to his high standards. Dr Elston was excellent - it sucks that this COVID thing prevented us from meeting him in person, but he was really great over the phone!

He went into detail about what he knows about IBD and the differences in cat behavior compared to that of small cell lymphoma. He addressed our concerns that we mentioned on the new patient form and he was incredibly kind and patient. When my husband asked about a mushroom extract supplement, Dr Elston asked if he could send the info so that he could review it and look into it - Vets we've had in the past would just dismiss something like that, so his reaction greatly impressed us.

From our conversation, we could tell that Dr Elston stays up to date in current research and treatments for cats. He recommended a couple blood tests that we never heard of before, so we decided to start with those and see what comes up so that we can either rule out or take action on possible deficiencies or move on to the next course of action. If you are "crazy cat parents" like we are, we HIGHLY recommend taking your cat(s) here!

We will be switching our other cats over to T.H.E. Cat Hospital as well! In fact, everyone we've interacted with here (over the phone or in-person) has been friendly, compassionate and nice! Side note: we live in Chino Hills, so it's a bit of a drive, but it's easy and it's completely WORTH it! Our only regret is that we didn't seek this place out sooner! We have so much more HOPE that we can truly help our furry girl.
Christi O.
Nov 16, 2019
A better feline veterinary clinic doesn't exist. I love that the office staff immediately directs us to a private patient room and our cats aren't stuck in a busy veterinary lobby. The exam rooms are spacious and completely closed off so that your cat is safe to explore the space if it makes them more comfortable. There's also a Feliway type diffuser to help them relax and the building is fairly quiet.

When Doctor Elston conducts exams he allows the cat to sit comfortably on the countertop and works intuitively with the cat instead of against them. He even offered some treats during shot time. The value is excellent when you compare the care to that of your average vet and Dr. Elston's many years of diagnostic experience have saved us from running unnecessary tests. If you have a cat you need to visit THE Cat Hospital.
C. S.
Sep 29, 2019
This review is long overdue. I had been taking both of my cats (now passed) to Dr Elston at THE Cat Hospital. He is a true Cat Whisperer! He was gentle with both my cats but gently firm with my male cat who had a well-deserved "problem patient" hissy and bitey reputation at the vet's office. Dr Elston even prescribed 1/2 of a "relaxation" pill for Fizzgig prior to vet visits which did help--I didn't want my cat or the vet getting hurt.

For 5+ years I was very happy with the services here: exams, boarding, ER care and grooming. A cats-only clinic is also much more relaxing for cats who aren't accustomed to dogs. I highly recommend this cat vet and clinic in Orange County/Irvine.
Kahlea O.
Jun 05, 2019
You guys are the best! Worth every penny spent. I took my 14 year old Balinese (long haired siamese) for the whole package (nail trimming, update on shots, bathing, blood testing, anesthesia and grooming) since it's been 3 years after adopting her. Bella was shedding uncontrollably and I couldn't keep up with her brushing. Since she wouldn't let me touch her stomach and paws, she was starting to form mats and her nails were breaking.

Mind you, she's polydactyl, meaning she has multiple fingers on both her back and front paws. When I saw that there was an extra nail curling in between her paws, I knew it was time to take her to the vets. The staff and Dr. Elston were so gentle and kind to my cat. It is true when they say Dr. Elston is the cat whisperer! Seeing that Bella is a highly anxious cat that doesn't trust anyone but me, I was surprised that he was able to pet/carry her without her lashing at him.

Everything was perfect and it was such a great relief knowing that everything went smoothly and better as planned! I paid $450 for everything which I thought was a reasonable price for what my cat needed. Thanks to you guys, I can finally hold my senior baby again like a baby instead of worrying about her claws getting caught on me. Thank you so much Dr. Elston and staff, you guys gained a happy and satisfied, new committed patient.
Denise A.
May 14, 2019
T.H.E. Cat Hospital is wonderful! It truly was a blessing to find this location. We were taking our cat to a vet and Anaheim Hills because there were great with our dogs. When they diagnosed our cat Thomas with megacolon (about 6 years ago) and wanted to operate I had to get a second opinion so I found something closer to our house. When we brought him in to see Dr Elston he checked Thomas and said his colon is normal and his symptoms seemed like that of cat herpes.

He must've contracted it at the shelter he was at (it's a airborne disease). The Dr put him on some amino acids and Thomas was better in no time. We have been to Dr. Elston several times now because Thomas has had some health and behavioral issues. We trust Dr Elston and his staff implicitly. We now bring our new cat who joined our family about a year ago. Dr Elston really has a way of putting the cats at ease and builds trust with not only the kitties, but with his clients as well.

I am still shocked that my cats are not afraid to go to the vet, it's incredible! Recently, Thomas had a cancer scare so rather than just giving him meds that might/might not treat the issue we decided to run tests to get down to the bottom of things and find out exactly what was going on (as the doctor recommended). I'm really glad we did, without further tests there was no way to tell what was actually going on and we would have given him meds unnecessarily.

Beyond that, had it been cancer we would have wasted time with unnecessary meds and on getting the proper treatment that he would have needed. Fortunately it seems like he's dealing with more of an inflammatory issue and we're working on getting that dialed in now. The staff here is very thorough and compassionate. Both girls that are most frequently at the front desk Jamie and Tracy know me by my voice when I call. They're both extremely courteous and do their best to get all the information that you need as quickly as they can. I'm very grateful for Dr Elston and his practice.
Morgan Sacco
Mar 24, 2019
I love Dr. Blair, the front office staff, and the vet techs including Oscar. Everyone at the hospital feels like family. They take great care of my cat, always provide practical options, and they are always willing to go the extra mile for us.
Alisha Black
Feb 22, 2019
The staff was friendly and really seemed to care about their jobs. One of my cats has severe anxiety and the quiet environment dedicated only to cats seemed to keep him at ease. Usually at a vet visit there are all kinds of different animal smells and barking dogs that scare him but he seemed less frightened. The cost was comparable to other vet visits, maybe slightly more, but the cat only environment made the cost worth it in my opinion. I will be taking my cats back there in the future.