The standard of care for handling veterinary patients has changed. The late Dr. Sophia Yin devoted her career to teaching veterinary team members about the importance of attending to the behavioral needs of patients. Her books and videos1 clearly demonstrate practical techniques that can be used to reduce fear in dogs and cats when they are handled for veterinary procedures. Reducing patient stress is not an option. There is building evidence that it is a necessity. Over the years, studies in many species have demonstrated that there are physical, emotional, and economic consequences to overlooking the behavioral needs of animals. This report focuses on recent research regarding the cost of behavioral distress in cats and the ease with which their well-being can be maintained. Detecting stress in cats can be challenging. Their postural signals are less overt than those of dogs and are therefore easily overlooked. Nevertheless, cat owners are exquisitely sensitive to their cats’ needs. Veterinarians need to be equally sensitive.