Have we seen your cat lately?

Compared with dogs, nearly three times as many cats did not receive any veterinary care in the past year. This disturbing trend is leading many veterinary professionals to ask pet owners, "Have we seen your cat lately?"

Feline Wellness Exams

Cats need regular veterinary care, including wellness exams at least once a year. Cats age faster than you do, so an annual exam for them is similar to you visiting your doctor or dentist every four to five years.

Indoor cats often lapse in their annual exams. Although their exposure to certain infectious diseases is minimal, they have the same risks for many other illnesses. Prevention is always safer and less expensive than treatment, and is why your cat needs to be seen at least once a year by your veterinarian.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners and American Animal Hospital Association recommend a minimum of one annual wellness exam for cats, with more frequent exams for senior and geriatric patients, or those cats with medical or behavioral conditions.

Subtle Signs of Sickness - cats hide symptoms of illness. by the time they start showing any signs, many diseases are already progressing.

Is your cat sick and you don't know it? Cats are particularly adept at hiding illnesses, especially in the early stages. Learn about the 10 subtle signs of sickness in your cat and why discussing these signs with your veterinarian is so important to your cat's health.

1. Inappropriate Elimination Behavior

2. Changes in Interaction

3. Changes in Activity

4. Changes in Sleeping Habits

5. Changes in Food and Water Consumption

6. Unexplained Weight Loss or Gain

7. Changes in Grooming

8. Signs of Stress

9. Changes in Vocalization

10. Bad Breath

Feline Friendly Veterinary Care

Travel to the vet is stressful for most cats. Luckily, there are ways that you can acclimate your pet to the process and make the experience easier for everyone.

Leave the carrier out several days prior to your vet visit. Place food, treats and toys inside and let your cat explore freely.
Spray a towel with Feliway and leave it inside the carrier.
Once your cat becomes less stressed by the carrier, practice short duration sessions with the door closed. Walk the cat around the house in the carrier, then open the door. You want to establish that the carrier doesn't always mean a visit to the vet.

Websites

These websites provide trustworthy information on basic healthcare and many common health problems and diseases. Here you will find comprehensive , up-to-date information on many of the most frequently encountered problems and topics you will discuss with your vet.

Feline Friendly Medicine