August 22nd is National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day!

August 22^nd is National Bring Your Cat to the Vet Day, and the perfect opportunity to schedule your cat’s routine check-up! Like humans, our fur babies need to have check-ups regularly to monitor their health conditions and find potential problems before they get worse.

Even though cats are the most popular pet in the US, cats do not receive the same level of veterinary care as dogs do. Studies show that 83% of cats visit the veterinarian before their first birthday, but over 50% do not return until they become sick.

Regular check-ups will help your cat to live a long, healthy, and happy life!

Why regular check-ups are so important:

1. Cats tend to hide their illness

• Cat’s natural behaviors make them great at hiding any symptoms of disease or discomfort. Your fur baby could be developing a health condition long before you notice anything is wrong.
• 39% of cat owners say they would only take their cat to the veterinarian if he/she is sick. However, by the times they show symptoms, a disease may already be in the advanced stages, making treatment more difficult and costly.
• Veterinarians can spot changes or abnormalities that could be overlooked and detect problems before they advance or become more difficult to treat.

2. Cats age much more rapidly than humans

• A cat reaches the approximate human age of 15 during his/her first year, and then 24 at age 2. Each year thereafter, they age approximately four “cat years” for every calendar year. Once a cat reaches adulthood, a yearly vet visit is like a human going to the doctor every four years.
• Things can develop very quickly as cats age. Medical issues could develop at any age with pets, but it is even more likely that they will have issues as they age. Some of the common conditions are hip and joint problems, heart conditions, respiration issues, and even more fatal condition such as cancer.

3. Prevention care is better than reactive care

• Regular exams can help avoid medical emergencies by detecting conditions or diseases before they become significant, painful, or more costly to treat.

4. Over 50% of cats are overweight or obese

• Just a few extra pounds can put cats at risk for diabetes, heart disease, and many more. (To learn more about obesity in pets, check out our previous blog!)
• In the US, obesity is the most common disease in cats. Approximately 30-35% of the population is obese, with over 50% of cats aged 5-11 years old weighing in higher than their ideal weight.
• Your veterinarian will check your fur baby’s weight and provide nutritional and enrichment recommendations to help keep your cat at an ideal weight.

The goal of routine check-up is to prevent preventable illnesses and to detect diseases early while they are easiest to treat. Take an advantage of “National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day” and schedule an appointment for your fur baby’s health and happiness!