Riverside Cat Hospital Introduce
For cat owners in the Lansing, Michigan area, finding a veterinary clinic that truly understands the unique needs of felines can make all the difference. Riverside Cat Hospital, located in Okemos, is that place. As a veterinarian practice exclusively dedicated to the health and well-being of cats, it offers a tranquil, stress-free environment that is a welcome change from traditional mixed-animal clinics. This specialized focus allows the staff and veterinarians to provide an unparalleled level of expertise and care tailored specifically for your feline companion. We believe that by creating a calm and quiet space, we can reduce anxiety for both you and your cat, leading to more productive and positive veterinary visits.
Since its inception, Riverside Cat Hospital has been a sanctuary for cats and their owners. The clinic’s philosophy is built on the understanding that cats are not small dogs, and their medical and behavioral needs require a different approach. From the moment you step inside, you will notice the absence of barking dogs and the presence of a soothing atmosphere designed to put your cat at ease. This dedicated approach has earned the trust of countless cat owners who have seen firsthand the positive impact of a specialized environment on their pets’ health and happiness. We are committed to providing the highest standard of care, ensuring every cat who walks through our doors receives the attention and expertise they deserve.
Riverside Cat Hospital is conveniently located at 2339 Jolly Rd, Okemos, MI 48864, USA. This central location makes it highly accessible for residents of Okemos and the surrounding communities, including East Lansing, Haslett, Mason, and even the greater Lansing metropolitan area. The clinic is situated near major roadways, offering a straightforward drive for anyone in the region. Accessibility is a key feature of our facility, which includes a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance, and toilet, ensuring that all pet owners can comfortably visit us.
The clinic's placement on Jolly Road provides a quiet, yet easy-to-reach, destination. The welcoming and accessible design of the facility is an extension of our commitment to a positive experience. With appointments recommended, the clinic operates on a structured schedule that minimizes wait times and ensures each patient receives undivided attention. This focus on organized and efficient service, combined with our convenient location, helps us provide a seamless and stress-free experience for our clients.
Services Offered
- Comprehensive Wellness and Preventive Care: This includes routine checkup exams, distemper vaccinations, and parasite preventatives to ensure your cat stays healthy and happy.
- Dental Care for Cats: From routine cleanings and exams to tooth extractions, we provide professional dental services to maintain your cat’s oral health.
- Surgical Services: Our experienced team performs a variety of surgical procedures, including spaying and neutering, with a focus on safety and careful monitoring.
- Diagnostic Imaging and Laboratory: We use in-house diagnostic tools and external labs to accurately diagnose and treat a wide range of diseases and conditions.
- Emergency Medicine: Our team is prepared to handle emergency visits and minor procedures, providing prompt and compassionate care when it’s needed most.
- Boarding Services: We offer cats boarding in a safe, quiet, and comfortable environment, so you can have peace of mind while you're away.
- Pain Management: Our veterinarians are skilled in managing both acute and chronic pain to improve your cat’s quality of life.
- Pet Food and Nutrition: We provide expert nutritional information and sell specialized pet food to support your cat's specific dietary needs.
- Senior Care: We offer specialized senior care plans designed to address the unique health challenges of older cats.
- Grief Counseling and End-of-Life Care: Our compassionate team provides support and guidance for pet owners navigating the difficult process of pet loss and bereavement.
- Online and In-House Pharmacy: For your convenience, we offer an in-house pharmacy for immediate prescription needs and an online pharmacy for easy prescription refills.
- Other services include: Blood Testing, Heartworm Disease prevention, Identification Microchip, and International Health Certificates for travel.
Features and Highlights
- Cats-Only Environment: The most notable feature is the clinic's exclusive focus on felines. This eliminates the stress and noise from dogs, which can be a significant source of anxiety for many cats. As one reviewer noted, the quiet environment was a "welcome change" that led to a vastly improved experience for their cat, Linda, who was previously too anxious to leave her carrier.
- Highly Recommended by Clients: Long-standing clients consistently praise the clinic. A reviewer who has brought four cats over eight years highlights their love for the clinic and their trust in Dr. Rivera, who "cleared her easily" after a misdiagnosis from another vet. This trust is a testament to the clinic’s expertise and reliability.
- Exceptional Staff Compassion: The staff is frequently described as kind, considerate, and thorough. Reviews mention the team’s mindful care for sick cats, even when a positive outcome isn't possible, underscoring their genuine empathy and professionalism.
- Personalized and Attentive Care: Dr. Rivera is specifically mentioned for being "so kind" and "validating of my concerns," which makes clients feel heard and respected. This personal touch is a key reason why many cat owners in the Lansing area are making the switch to Riverside Cat Hospital.
- Cat Friendly Practice: The clinic’s design and protocols are geared towards reducing feline stress, making appointments a more positive experience for both the cat and the owner. This is reflected in the dramatic behavioral changes seen in cats like Linda.
Contact Information
Address: 2339 Jolly Rd, Okemos, MI 48864, USAPhone: (517) 347-2287
What is worth choosing?
Riverside Cat Hospital is an exceptional choice for any cat owner in the Michigan region who wants the best possible veterinary experience for their pet. The single most compelling reason to choose this clinic is its exclusive focus on felines. The cats-only environment is not just a marketing gimmick; it is a fundamental aspect of their care model that genuinely reduces stress for pets. The testimonials from real clients powerfully illustrate this benefit, describing how cats that were once terrified of vet visits are now comfortable and curious in this quiet setting.
Beyond the peaceful environment, the clinic’s team, including Dr. Rivera, is consistently praised for their expertise, kindness, and thoroughness. They build trust with both their human and feline clients, providing validating, compassionate care that goes beyond simple medical treatment. The ability to handle complex cases and provide clear, correct diagnoses, as highlighted by a client’s experience, reinforces their professional competence. The combination of specialized care, a calming atmosphere, and a dedicated, compassionate staff makes Riverside Cat Hospital a standout option for feline health in the Lansing area and a top recommendation for any cat owner who has experienced the stress of a traditional veterinary clinic.
Riverside Cat Hospital Cat
Veterinarian
- Animal Poison Control
- Blood Testing
- Cat Clinic
- Cat Friendly Practice
- Cat's Health Care
- Cats Boarding
- Checkup Exam
- Chronic Illness
- Continuing Education
- Dental Care For Cats
- Diagnostic Imaging And Laboratory
- Diseases And Conditions
- Distemper Vaccinations
- Emergency Medicine
- Emergency Visits
- Exam Room
- Fecal Check
- Grief Counseling
- Heartworm Disease
- Identification Microchip
- In-House Pharmacy
- International Health Certificates
- International Travel
- Iv Catheter
- Medical Records
- Minor Procedures
- Nail Trimming
- Nutrition Information
- Online Pharmacy
- Pain Management
- Parasite Preventative
- Pet Food
- Pet Health
- Pet Insurance
- Pet Loss And Bereavement
- Pet Medical Information
- Practice Certification
- Prescription Refill Request
- Regular Vet Visits
- Rx Refill
- Senior Care
- Spaying And Neutering
- Staff Training
- Subcutaneous Fluids
- Surgery Services
- Surgical Services
- Tooth Extractions
- Treatment Exam
- Veterinary Care
Riverside Cat Hospital Details
Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Amenities
- Toilet
Planning
- Appointments recommended
Riverside Cat Hospital Photos










Riverside Cat Hospital Location
Riverside Cat Hospital Reviews
kittenpricesquestionsinformationjobroomcheck upfurtooth removalmail
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1I have taken all four of my cats over the past 8 years to Riverside and I absolutely love this clinic. Even when I lived an hour away, I took my cat to see them after a bad visit from another vet who diagnosed her with the wrong thing, and Dr. Rivera cleared her easily. While I had 4, I now have 1, and Riverside took very mindful care of them while they were sick, unfortunately beyond our means and their time. They are so kind, considerate, and thorough. I have recommended them highly to people in my life and will continue to do so!
July 08 · noraeshuaIn the past, I had only ever brought my cat to vets who also cared for dogs. No offense to their species, but they are LOUD! Coming to Riverside was a welcome change for my own anxiety and my Linda’s. It’s a quiet environment from the second you step in the door. Her behavior at her 1st appointment here was worlds apart from past vets. Before, she refused to leave her carrier. Like at all. For years. Every single appointment, vets had to try to do what they could while she hid in her cave. At Riverside, she was immediately comfortable, wanted out and was exploring the room the entire appointment! This was so amazing to me. Dr. Rivera was so kind to me and her, validating of my concerns, and just such a welcome breath of fresh air. I’m so glad we made the switch, and would recommend any other Lansing area cat owners do the same! I didn’t know vet appointments didn’t have to suck until now!
February 27 · Rosalie BaumanThis was an incredible experience! I absolutely loved how quiet and clean the clinic was. The staff were incredibly professional and sweet the minute I called to make an appointment. Dr. Rivera was great and super informative. I also appreciated how transparent about pricing the team was throughout the entire experience. This was my first appointment with a cat from the shelter and the appointment could have not gone any better!! Thank you so much!
June 17 · Hannah ThompsonDr. Lewis and her staff are incredibly caring and their new hospital and boarding facility is beautiful. Having a cat-only veterinary hospital is important for people who want their cats to have a calm experience. I cannot say enough good things about this place and have been a client for 10 years. I highly recommend them!
June 25 · Allie Phillips (Manifested Harmony)After going to five vets in the area in the past year (four for my 12 year old cat, one for my mother's dog), I have decided to retrospectively review the ones I visited to help other cat parents. If you want to spare yourself some reading, I highly recommend cat owners to check out Dr. Robson at Lake Lansing Road Animal Clinic.Riverside Cat Hospital was the second vet in the area I visited when I moved to Lansing. I have preferred taking my cat to cat only vets in the past as they tend to have more specialized knowledge.Oh, what a headache. The facility itself seems fine and the staff are generally friendly, but getting them to do what you ask for is unreasonably difficult. When I scheduled his initial exam, I had asked if bloodwork could be done as well as my cat had developed a cough. They say, sure, we can do that. I don't know if this just didn't get passed along, or what, but when we arrived they said we weren't doing bloodwork. And the exam itself was so brief, basically hands off, I was shocked by the fact that a wellness exam didn't include looking at his ears or mouth.When discussing his weight, I asked if they would prescribe a food that had helped him lose weight in the past. They refused, saying, "carbs will make him gain weight"??? It's literally Royal Canin Satiety which is formulated specifically for weight loss. He had gotten down from 22 lbs to 18 lbs when he was on it before. And he didn't cry for food all the time when he was on it, also, which was a blessing. Telling them this didn't move the vet at all. Instead, they spent an inordinate amount of time lecturing me about his weight as if I wasn't 100% aware that he was overweight. They also shared a chart with me of different cat foods and their nutritional facts that I already had been given by a previous vet who eventually prescribed the Satiety when he failed to lose weight.We agreed that because of the cough, he should get a chest x-ray. Again, I asked that we do bloodwork at that appointment. Coming in for appointment number two, they did the x-ray but said he wasn't scheduled for bloodwork. They also told us we should feed him three cans of food rather than the two and quarter cup of kibble we were feeding him to supposedly help him lose weight. This really baffled me. The three cans would have equaled almost 100 more kcal than we were currently feeding him.The x-ray came back and it turned out that my cat had a linear foreign body in his stomach. I recognized the bit of wire from a light set I'd thrown away after I caught him munching on it a month prior. The vet wanted to wait and see if it would pass (despite the fact that it had been there at least a month), and come back in for a second x-ray in a week. I wasn't thrilled about the "wait and see" approach, but I figured I should defer to the expert. At x-ray number two, I finally got the bloodwork I had been pushing for. And no, the wire didn't pass to no one's surprise - including the vet, actually.When the bloodwork came back, it turned out that his renal values were abnormal and suggested Stage 2 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). I asked them if there was anything we should do about this and they said, come back in a week for a urinalysis to confirm the diagnosis and we'll set up surgery for three weeks from now. A few days pass, I'm not feeling good about waiting three weeks for surgery when my cat is obviously feeling poorly. He's now becoming constipated in addition to coughing. They tell me to give him Miralax. The urine comes back, supporting the CKD diagnosis, and they say we'll wait until after surgery to address it. I ask them if they have an earlier surgery date and they tell me I should take him to an emergency vet if I don't want to wait.At this point, I've lost all faith that they care about my cat. I decide I'm not comfortable waiting three weeks while my cat continues to pick up more symptoms and show more obvious signs of discomfort. So I go on to try vet number three.
June 20 · Carly Kalkauski
More Vet Near Me

2298 Bennett Rd, Okemos, MI 48864, USA

2769 Sandhill Rd, Mason, MI 48854, USA

2770 Bennett Rd, Okemos, MI 48864, USA

202, 4125 Beaumont Rd, Lansing, MI 48910, USA

3276 E Jolly Rd ste a, Lansing, MI 48910, USA

1836 Cedar St, Holt, MI 48842, USA

2162 N Aurelius Rd, Holt, MI 48842, USA

4685 E Willoughby Rd, Holt, MI 48842, USA

1114 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing, MI 48910, USA

1185 N Cedar St, Mason, MI 48854, USA

1185 N Cedar St, Mason, MI 48854, USA

812 N Kerns Rd, Mason, MI 48854, USA
Categories
Top Visited Sites





