Top 5 Reasons to Bring Your Cat to the Vet
Friends and Neighbors,
Our feline friends can be a bit mysterious (and probably prefer it that way)! We understand that our favorite little home bodies can be hard to read. Here are the top 5 reasons to bring your cat to the vet with notes from our friends and Cat Friendly Homes.
Cats Age Faster Than Humans
Cats age at a much quicker rate than humans. By the time your cat celebrates its first birthday, it’s roughly equivalent to a 15-year-old human. By its second birthday, your cat is about 24 in human years. After that, each calendar year adds roughly four “cat years” to their age. This means that an 8-year-old cat is comparable to a 48-year-old human. Given how quickly they age, annual veterinary check-ups are essential because significant changes can occur in just one "cat year."
Cats Are Experts at Concealing Illness
Cats have a knack for hiding any signs of illness or discomfort, which means health issues can develop long before you notice anything is wrong. Veterinarians are trained to recognize subtle changes and spot potential problems early on, making regular visits crucial for catching issues before they become serious or harder to treat.
Your Cat Might Be Overweight
Did you know that more than half of cats are overweight or obese? Your vet will monitor your cat’s weight during each visit and offer advice on nutrition and enrichment to help maintain a healthy weight. Just an extra three pounds can put your cat at risk for conditions like diabetes, and respiratory, heart, and kidney diseases.
Preventive Care Beats Reactive Care
Regular check-ups allow you to provide your vet with important information about your cat's behavior at home. Combined with a thorough physical exam, this information helps create a comprehensive health plan for your cat. Early detection of health issues through regular check-ups can prevent medical emergencies and ensure conditions are treated before they become severe, painful, or costly.
Know Your Cat's Behavior
Understanding your cat's normal behavior and reporting any changes to your vet can be crucial. Changes in eating habits or activity levels might seem minor but can indicate underlying health issues. Keep notes of any concerns or questions and share them during your cat's annual check-up. These observations can help your vet uncover hidden issues through a thorough patient history.
We hope you found these tips useful and that they help keep your cats happy and healthy. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. We’re always here for you and your pets!
Sincerely,
The BLVD Team