This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Royal Canin. All opinions are 100% mine.
Regular vet care is a must for healthy cats. Find out why, and how to know when your cat is ready for a checkup.
You know how some people have picked up new hobbies during the pandemic? Our 14 year old cat Biggie has too: he's learned how to open our cabinet doors so he can take a nap inside.
It completely freaked me out the first time that I reached under the sink for a towel to find him snoozing in the dark, but it kind of makes sense. He had gotten used to a quieter house with my twin boys heading off to school every day, and now they are home 24/7. That's a lot for an older guy to handle!
I probably would have worried more about this new habit of his, but since he gets regular checkups from our vet I knew that this wasn't something to be concerned about. It was far more likely a symptom of needing peace and quiet than anything else.
Have you noticed anything new about your cat since quarantine started? According to a recent survey, 2 out of 3 cat owners say that they have learned something new about their pet recently. While that stat doesn't surprise me, this one does:
6 out of 10 cat owners said they only take their cat to the vet when they notice something wrong, as opposed to regular checkups.
I get it. I do. Taking a cat to the vet can be stressful for everyone involved, especially during a pandemic.
But keeping up with your cat's regular veterinary care is key to keeping him or her healthy and happy.
So if your kitty is overdue for a visit, it's time to catch up. It's not as hard as it seems! I have everything you need to know to keep your cat healthy right now including tons of resources from Royal Canin and ("Be Brave" note from my sweet little kiddos not included).
Keeping Your Cat's Health in Mind
Our cats give us so much: companionship, love, and endless entertainment, and they deserve the best in return. And with National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day happening this month, it's the perfect reminder to make sure that your feline friend has the veterinary care they need.
How do you know if your cat needs to see a vet?
Whether they are kept indoors or are allowed to roam outside, all cats need regular veterinary care and vaccinations. So how do you know if your cat needs a checkup?
Timing: Adult cats, age 1-9 years, should see a veterinarian at least one a year for an annual checkup. Seniors over the age of 9 should see the vet every 6 months.
Kittens need to be seen more frequently in order to receive all of their required vaccines. If you have a kitten under the age of 6 months, be sure they have had an initial exam and then follow your veterinarian's recommendation for a vaccination schedule.
Behavior Changes: If your cat is up to date on his vaccines and annual checkup, it's still important to keep an eye out for any behavior changes that may indicate he needs to visit the vet. Cats are notoriously stoic animals who will hide the fact that they aren't feeling well, so it's important to notice even small changes. Things to look for include:
- Marked increase or decrease in appetite or water intake
- Coughing or sneezing
- Acting lethargic
- Vomiting
- Changes to stool in frequency or consistency
- Lack of grooming or trouble grooming
- Changes in mobility
All of these things are pretty good indicators that a vet appointment is in order.
Making Vet Visits Easier for Cats (and You!)
We're pretty fortunate to have found a veterinary office that understands that doctor visits can be stressful for cats. They've installed cat-friendly exam rooms that Biggie loves (seriously, he doesn't want to leave!) and diffuse cat-calming pheromones in exam and treatment areas.
They have also started curbside services, which we recently took advantage of for Biggie's dog brother. We were able to drop him off and wait in the car while consulting his doctor over the phone.
Biggie is clearly pretty laid back at the vet's office, but our previous cat was quite the opposite. For him, we were able to have a vet that does house calls, which helped him to feel more at ease when he was being examined. This is a great solution during the pandemic as well, as more offices are offering mobile or even virtual visits.
Our friends at Royal Canin are also committed to making veterinary visits easier for your cat this month in honor of National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day.
Right now you can take advantage of a number of awesome initiatives to help your cat get healthy:
- Purchase your favorite Royal Canin cat food from PetSmart and receive a free vet visit from Banfield.
- Shop Royal Canin cat food on Chewy.com and your purchase will support veterinary care for shelter cats through GreaterGood.org.
- Enter the #Cat2Vet sweepstakes to win a prize pack to help you get ready for your cat’s next vet visit. Every entry will also receive a free sample of Royal Canin Hematuria Detection by Blücare. Enter the sweepstakes now.
You can also receive a complimentary chat with a veterinarian 24/7, brought to you by Royal Canin and Ask.Vet.
All this PLUS your cat can enjoy Royal Canin's awesome food - it's one of Biggie's favorites!
Want to learn more about cat health? Watch the new web series Catology Presents Kitten Lady and Friends, covering everything cat…from behavior to health and nutrition.
Learn even more about your feline friend with the Stay Curious program from Royal Canin.
Celebrate National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day: make your pet's checkup appointment today!
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