Feline Care: Why Cats Need To Visit The Veterinarian Regularly

Regular Visits To The Vet Can Help Your Cat Live A Longer Life

You bring your dog in for regular physical exams, but what about your cat? Cats need wellness visits, too, especially outdoor only and barn cats. Nearly half of homes with a dog also have a cat, but cats are much less likely to receive the veterinary care that is essential to maintaining their frisky nature. A healthy adult cat should have a check-up at least once a year, and senior cats aged 7 and older every six months. Changes in eating, grooming or litter box habits may be your cat's way of telling you that something is wrong. Unfortunately, because cats aren't brought in as often as dogs, many times diseases have significantly progressed and the feline has suffered.

To help catch and prevent serious conditions early, veterinarians recommend wellness exams at least once a year for adult cats and dogs, and twice a year for senior pets over age 7. Regular routine physical exams and laboratory diagnostic testing are critically important for preventing disease, maintaining your pet's health, and prolonging their life. Regular check-ups include a hands-on, nose to tail physical exam. Your veterinarian will conduct routine blood panels and health screens, administer appropriate vaccines, prescribe and refill parasite control medication, and monitor your pet's weight, development and fitness.

​Regular veterinary care is just as important for your cat as it is for your dog. A lot can change with your pet's health in just a short amount of time. Give yourself peace of mind, and your pet a healthy life, by scheduling and keeping regular comprehensive wellness exams. Many veterinarians offer Wellness Packages that help to reduce the cost of your felines care. 

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Feline Healthcare 

Fleas & Ticks. Fleas and ticks are not just uncomfortable for pets they also pose serious health threats for animals and humans alike. Flea bites can cause allergy dermatitis, which may result in chronic misery for your pet and lead to serious infections. Pets with fleas may develop anemia or be infected by tapeworms.Fleas and ticks can also carry disease. Ticks can infect your pets with Lyme disease, tick fevers like ehrlichia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, as well as other severe blood infections. Keeping your cat on a flea & tick preventative is great for both the pet as well as pet owners. 
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Hairballs. Cats are wonderful but hairballs are probably their least endearing quality. Occasional hairballs are unavoidable. However, severe internal impaction can lead to dangerous digestive health problems. Hairballs can obstruct the pathway for food or block the intestines. Vomiting of undigested food, retching, constipation, diarrhea, and a swollen abdomen are all signs of hairball distress. To avoid serious blockages, routinely brush your cat and provide fresh water at all times. Also, keep in mind that overweight cats have difficulty grooming themselves. Keeping your kitty slim and trim helps them be more efficient self-groomers, which can in turn reduce hairballs. At home maintenance programs, with laxatives, medications, and prescription hairball reducing food, provides relief for cats frequently troubled by hairballs. Always contact your veterinarian if you have concerns about your cat's health. 

Pet Obesity. An occasional treat can be a great motivator for your pet and a way to show love for your four-legged friend. However, many pet treats and most table scraps are high in calories and fat. If given too often, these indulgences can lead to obesity. Did you know an estimated 54% of dogs and cats in the United States are overweight or obese? Even just a few pounds above your pet's ideal weight can increase its risk for developing diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, arthritis, cancer, and other life threatening diseases affecting the organs. As with human diets, good nutrition, and portion control are keys. A variety of prescription and maintenance diets are available from your veterinarian. A combination of medical and nutritional options, plus lifestyle changes, can help your pet achieve and maintain its ideal weight, so they can stay fit and healthy for many years to come.

Spraying. Unneutered male cats begin spraying to mark their territory when they reach sexual maturity at about six months.  Both male and female cats can spray, however males are the more likely culprit. The best approach is to stop the spraying before it even starts by neutering your kitten early. Neutering is also effective for curbing this nasty behavior in older cats. If your cat does spray he will continue to return to that spot, so eliminate the urine odor immediately and completely with a special cleaner designed specifically for offensive pet odors. Spraying can also be a warning sign for conditions like a blocked urethra, urinary tract infection, or diabetes. If spraying is a problem call your veterinarian for advice.

We want your cat to live a long and healthy life! Contact our veterinary clinic here in Cypress to make an appointment with one of our caring vets.

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