Even if they seem healthy, cats need regular vet visits. In fact, because cats are experts at hiding pain and sickness, wellness exams are one of the most important things you can do to protect their health and well-being. Annual check-ups help detect medical issues early, are vital for preventative care, and can ultimately save you money by treating issues before they become emergencies.
Here are six reasons regular veterinary visits are necessary:
Establishing a Baseline
When your cat is healthy, your veterinarian establishes a baseline for their typical health, which makes it easier to note any changes when something is wrong. Annual exams include taking your cat’s temperature and weight, checking their eyes, nose, and ears, listening to their heart and lungs, palpating their abdomen, assessing bone structure and muscle tone, and potentially doing bloodwork, a fecal test, or other diagnostics.
Wellness visits also allow you to build a relationship with your vet to ask any questions and receive advice on specific medical or behavioral concerns.
Cats Age Faster Than Humans
A one-year-old cat is equivalent to a fifteen-year-old human and a two-year-old cat is comparable to a twenty-four year old. Cats continue to age four “human” years for each year after that. A six-year-old cat is forty in human years and an eleven-year-old cat would be sixty years old.
Because they age faster than we do, annual exams are extra important. Illness and disease can progress quickly during that period of time, dietary needs may change, bloodwork and diagnostics may need to be rechecked. Regular vet visits help you understand and accommodate your cat’s needs as they grow and age.
Early Detection
Cats rarely show outward signs of sickness until their condition has progressed. Their natural inclination is to act like everything is fine and to hide any signs of pain or illness. Your cat could be developing a medical issue long before you even notice any symptoms.
Regular exams allow your veterinarian to identify subtle signs of sickness before they become serious. Early detection of a disease can mean easier treatments, fewer medications, lower costs, and a more positive outcome for your cat.
Preventive Care
Vet visits also help prevent potential medical issues from arising. Vaccinations, parasite prevention, flea control, and spay and neuter surgery help protect your cat from diseases that can cause major problems and even shorten their lifespan. In short, preventive care helps your cat stay happy and healthy for as long as possible.
Preventive care is typically much less expensive than treating an emergency situation or an advanced illness. Preventive care is also more successful than reactive care. It’s much easier to take your cat for their FVRCP vaccination each year than to treat them for calicivirus or pan leukopenia if they contract those diseases.
Dental Health
Dental disease is one of the most common medical issues in cats, especially as they age. It can cause a great deal of pain and lead to serious inflammation, infection, and even extractions. Cats may even stop eating due to the pain, which can lead to a host of other issues. Conversely, some cats show no obvious signs of dental issues until their vet examination.
Dental disease is considered the most prevalent medical condition in cats three years and older. The vet will examine your cat’s mouth, teeth, and gums and may recommend a dental cleaning to remove plaque from the teeth or to extract any diseased teeth.
Nutritional Advice and Weight Management
Maintaining your cat’s weight throughout their life is one of the kindest things you can do for them. Obesity is one of the biggest health issues for cats since it can impact their lifespan and their quality of life dramatically. Obesity quite often leads to diabetes, arthritis, and kidney or heart trouble.
Routine vet visits include weight checks and nutritional and exercise advice based on your cat’s age, activity level, and health needs, which is vital for preventing obesity and its related conditions.
For reference, a cat who is four pounds overweight is equal to a woman who is forty-five pounds overweight. Just a few pounds makes a huge difference on their overall health and well-being.
Regular vet visits are one of the most important ways you can show love to your cat. They ensure your pet gets the preventive care, early treatment, and ongoing support they need to live a long and happy life. Even if your cat seems perfectly healthy, annual exams are necessary and can make a huge difference in their life and yours.
Love, Nala
