The History of Take Your Cat to the Vet Day
August, the end of summer and some of us have our thoughts on back to school… Vets, however, have their minds on August 22nd, National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day. The American Veterinary Medical Association now endorses this yearly event to help people remember to take their cats to the vet, and the event itself has been happening for almost a decade!
Origins and Purpose of This Observance
The origins of this day are said to have come from a company called Feline Pine which, through a survey, found most owners only took their cat to the vet if they were noticeably ill. Whether this little piece of history is true or not, sources like petMD still record that owners find taking their cats to the vet “too stressful.” Since this day’s creation, other organizations have jumped on board to get information to owners and help encourage them to get their cats to the vet.
Role of Animal Health Organizations in Promoting the Day
Organizations like the AVMA and the American Association of Feline Practitioners work together to encourage and get information out to owners about why they should take their cats to regularly scheduled veterinary exams as a part of their #Cat2Vet campaign.
Why Regular Vet Visits Are Essential
Cats are experts at hiding their pain and other signals of illness from their humans. In the wild, it makes sense to hide your pain; if you’re hurt, you’re an easy target for predators. In the human home, though, it means that we have to be vigilant in case our feline friends are hurt and just not telling us! Regular vet checkups mean that we have another, more experienced pair of eyes helping us look after our cats.
Importance of Routine Veterinary Check-Ups for Cats
Whilst our cats are experts at hiding symptoms, vets are experts at finding them. Vets know what to look for, can spot common health conditions, and run tests that paint a more accurate picture of their overall health.
Common Health Issues That Can Be Prevented or Managed With Regular Visits
It’s not uncommon for vets for cats to find dental issues, kidney disease, upper respiratory infections, or infections caused by other cats.
Benefits of Taking Your Cat to the Vet
There are numerous benefits to taking your cat to the vet when it comes to quality of life and diagnosis.
Advantages of Regular Vet Visits
By taking your cat to the vet regularly, you’re not only helping them stay happy and healthy but also making sure you identify any potential health concerns as early as possible.
Early detection of health problems
Spotting both common and serious health concerns early on is crucial, and you and your vet can work together to create a treatment plan.
Improved quality of life
Your vet may also be able to help your cat with their behavior or weight, leading to happier cats and humans.
What Happens During a Vet Visit
During a vet visit your cat will be given a top to tail exam to make sure that everything looks and feels right. Your cat may be vaccinated against common diseases, and your vet will perform a physical exam.
Typical Vet Examination and What Pet Owners Can Expect
You can expect your vet to check your cat’s weight and teeth. To assess their weight, your cat will generally be placed onto a set of scales and the number recorded down. Depending on your cat’s ideal weight, your veterinarian may make suggestions about proper feeding guidelines for your pet. Your vet will then check your cat's teeth by gently pulling open their lips to see how they look, or may use a scope to see the back teeth if your cat needs that.
Specific Health Assessments and Procedures Performed
Routine bloodwork might be done to check for specific markers of diseases and assess organ function. Performing blood tests throughout their life stages is important for understanding their baseline results and identifying any changes that may indicate a health concern. Taking a cat DNA test before a vet visit helps you prepare by providing insights into your pet’s breed-specific health risks. This information allows the vet to focus on potential issues and useful procedures, making the visit more efficient and ensuring your cat gets the best care possible.
Preparing for Take Your Cat to the Vet Day
In preparation of the day itself, many cat parents find that practicing their vet visit routine, including carrier and car travel, can help reduce their cat’s stress on the day of their visit.
Tips for Acclimating Your Cat to Carriers and Car Rides
Pet carriers make sense to us, as they are easy ways for us to get our feline friends to places they may not want to go. For cats, carriers can feel strange, unfamiliar, and a bit like a trap, especially if they only use them when visiting the vet. To help your cat get accustomed to their carrier, start by bringing it into a communal living space, preferably where you spend most of your time, several weeks before your vet visit. Some cats may show interest in exploring the carrier on their own, while others may need to be enticed with treats or other incentives. It can also help to make your cat’s carrier more comfortable by adding blankets, toys, or other familiar items.
Once your cat is able to enter their carrier on their own, try closing the door, then advance to walking them around your home. If you are really struggling or your pet has severe anxiety around cars and cat veterinarians, it might be worth discussing medicinal or holistic options with your vet.
Ways to Minimize Stress and Anxiety for Both the Cat and Owner
Getting your cat used to the carrier, car, and veterinary clinic from a young age can be the easiest and best way to reduce everyone’s stress, but sometimes that can’t happen. Medicines, routines, and pheromones can help reduce stress in cats. It’s also important to find knowledgeable vets for cats as they can present some unique challenges. In humans, it’s less simple because when our cat isn’t right, we worry. Make sure to give yourself time to decompress before and after a vet visit, never rely on the internet for a diagnosis, and remember that your veterinarian is there to support you and reduce your cat’s stress as best as possible.
Conclusion
We love our feline friends and we want what’s best for them. Whilst taking them to the vets can be a pain, it’s worth it to make sure that they are healthy, happy, and looked after.
Frequently Asked Questions
When to take a cat to the vet?
Behavioral changes, or litter box changes, are signs it’s time to be taking cat to vet. You should also take them if they show symptoms like vomiting, fatigue, weight loss or gain, breathing changes, or lumps and lesions.
