Annual check-ups for cats are so vital that “National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day” – celebrated each August 22 – was created to help remind cat owners of the importance that regular health and wellness checks provide for our feline friends. You might not know that: Cats age much more rapidly than humans do. Cats reach the human age of 15 during their first year of life, and 24 by their second year. Afterward, a cat can age four “cat years” for every human calendar year. As such, changes in health can happen much more quickly for cats, making their annual veterinary visits critical.
CEO Nick Gilman
Cats are excellent at hiding illness and pain. Your cat could be developing a health condition long before you notice anything is wrong. Veterinarians are trained to spot these problems and intervene before they advance to be debilitating or create greater suffering for your cat.
Many cats are overweight. Over 50% of cats are overweight or obese. These extra pounds can put cats at risk for diabetes, diseases of the heart, respiratory system, kidneys, and much more.
It’s better to be proactive than reactive. A veterinarian can work with you to help create a plan to help keep your cat healthy. By staying on top of regular exams, you’re likely to minimize medical emergencies, and your veterinarian can treat any conditions before they become significant or painful to your pet.
Routine medical care aims to help prevent illness while detecting disease early on, so it’s easier to (and often less expensive) to manage. If your feline friend has not seen a veterinarian in a while, make sure to schedule their visit today.
Nicholas Gilman is the CEO at Larimer Humane Society. Learn more at www. larimerhumane.org.