How to steal your cat owners hearts

Jeff Werber, DVM, says he was probably a dog in a previous life. Some kind of retriever, to be specific. Still, on a regular basis, the cat owners who come to his Century Veterinary Group in Los Angeles ask him if his dog clients feel left out since he likes cats better. “I've got them all fooled!” Werber says gleefully.

Dr. Jeff WerberActually, Werber really does love cats. He's not faking it. The “magic” is that he exclaims over and adores every cat in his exam room. “Clients don't know how to judge us medically,” he says. “All they know is how much you love their pet.”

And if you truly love cats, you put out a vibe that cats can read, Werber says. They are more amenable to being held and examined-something clients readily pick up on.

With Werber's practice at 65 percent dogs and 45 percent cats, he's above the industry average, even though dogs sitll edge out their feline counterparts. Werber caters to his cat clients by designating the short section of his L-shaped waiting room for cats, complete with a fish tank and comfy bench.

Werber also brings up his own cat in conversation, whipping out his phone to show off pics of his own feline brood and cool cat patients he's seen recently.

“When someone gets referred to me, they'll often say, ‘We hear that you really love animals,'” Werber says. “Trust me, clients see it. I get more hugs than anyone I know.