Business Details
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Cat-Only Veterinary Hospital in Marina del Rey
Founded by Dr. Tom Elston, T.H.E. Cat Hospital was established to provide cats and their owners with exceptional, species-specific veterinary care. Our team of cat specialists creates a calm, stress-free environment that prioritizes feline comfort while maintaining rigorous standards in medical expertise. We invest in cutting-edge digital equipment tailored to feline physiology and stay current with advancements in feline medicine through continuous professional development. Certified as a Gold-Level Cat Friendly Practice, our entire stafffrom veterinarians to receptionistsholds specialized cat-friendly certifications.We offer comprehensive services ranging from preventative care to advanced surgical procedures, ensuring cats receive optimal healthcare throughout their lives. Our mission reflects our deep understanding of feline needs, combining technical proficiency with compassionate treatment. We maintain transparent communication with pet owners and emphasize preventive strategies to promote long-term feline health. This commitment to excellence has earned us recognition from both clients and industry professionals.
Services
Office Visits
Dentistry
Grooming
Senior Care
Behavioral Counseling
Vaccinations
Lab Work
X-Ray & Ultrasound
Surgery
Spay/Neuter
Highlights and features
- We offer comprehensive feline care from routine to advanced treatments
- Our team is certified in cat-friendly practices
- We use modern digital equipment tailored for cats
- Our veterinarians have specialized training in feline medicine
- We provide 24/7 emergency care through a partner clinic
Associations and certifications
- Cat Friendly Practice
What people say
Exceptional cat care
Knowledgeable and compassionate staff
Stress-free environment
Modern facilities
Dedicated feline specialists
Services
Office Visits
Our cat-focused office visits provide essential preventative care tailored to different life stages. We conduct comprehensive health assessments including weight monitoring, dental checks, and cardiac evaluations. Our team offers personalized consultation services to address specific feline health concerns while maintaining a stress-free environment for both cats and owners.
Dentistry
We provide complete dental services addressing over 70% of cats' common oral health issues. Our offerings include traditional cleanings, anesthesia-free options, digital X-rays, and surgical extractions. Our modern equipment enables precise diagnosis and treatment of dental conditions that could impact systemic health if left untreated.
Senior Care
Our specialized senior care program addresses age-related health challenges through tailored wellness plans. We implement preventive strategies to manage common geriatric conditions while maintaining quality of life. Our team provides nutritional guidance and chronic disease management specifically for aging felines.
Behavioral Counseling
We address common behavioral issues like inappropriate elimination and aggression through evidence-based interventions. Our specialists develop customized behavior modification plans while considering environmental enrichment strategies. This service helps improve human-feline relationships through scientific understanding of feline psychology.
Surgical Services
Our surgical capabilities include mass removal, bladder procedures, and foreign body extraction. We maintain strict anesthetic monitoring with EKG, pulse oximetry, and blood pressure tracking. Our surgical suite supports both routine and complex procedures with modern equipment and post-operative care protocols.
People
Dr. Kate Blair
Veterinarian
Dr. Blair specializes in feline medicine with advanced training in anxiety reduction techniques. She holds a DVM from Michigan State University and focuses on behavioral dermatology and geriatric care. Her clinical approach combines technical expertise with compassionate cat handling.
Heather
Registered Veterinary Technician
Heather provides technical support with specialized knowledge in feline care protocols. She assists in diagnostic procedures and treatment implementation while maintaining patient comfort. Her expertise contributes to our cat-friendly certification standards.
Oscar
Veterinary Technician
Oscar supports clinical operations with proficiency in feline handling and medical procedures. He contributes to maintaining our stress-free environment through specialized cat interaction techniques. His work supports our comprehensive care approach.
Rafael
Veterinary Technician
Rafael assists in diagnostic and treatment processes with focus on feline-specific care requirements. He helps implement our modern medical protocols while prioritizing patient comfort and safety during procedures.
Ryan
Veterinary Technician
Ryan contributes to clinical operations with expertise in cat handling and treatment administration. He supports our commitment to stress-free veterinary care through specialized feline interaction techniques and procedural assistance.
Questions
What emergency care options do you provide after hours?
For emergencies outside our business hours, we partner with VCA Animal Surgical & Emergency Center at (310) 473-1561, which provides 24/7 emergency veterinary services.
What specialized feline services do you offer?
We provide cat-specific dentistry, behavioral medicine, senior care, and surgical services using equipment tailored for feline physiology in a stress-free environment.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Call us at (310) 773-9286 during business hours (Monday-Friday 9am-4pm) to schedule appointments. We currently don't accept email appointment requests.
What makes your hospital cat-friendly?
We're certified Gold-Level Cat Friendly Practice with specialized training for all staff, cat-specific facilities, and anxiety-reduction techniques tailored for feline patients.
Do you offer senior cat care programs?
Yes, our senior care program includes specialized wellness plans, chronic disease management, and nutritional guidance to address age-related health challenges in cats.
What diagnostic capabilities do you have onsite?
We offer in-house lab work, digital X-rays, ultrasound, and advanced dental diagnostics with modern equipment specifically calibrated for feline patients.
Reviews (5)
Stephane J.
Jun 30, 2022
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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
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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
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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
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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!
Janice D.
Jan 07, 2022
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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.
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.
