Taking Your Cat to the Vet

Did you know that August 22nd is Take Your Cat To The Vet Day? Fluffy would probably rather take another nap than come visit us, but proper veterinary care is very important to her health and well-being. Here, a Tumwater, WA vet offers some advice on taking your kitty to see her doctor.

Appointments

When your feline pal is still a baby, she’ll need to come in a few times. In addition to those initial exams and screenings, little Fluffy will need to be fixed and microchipped. You’ll also need to get your tiny buddy started out on her vaccines and parasite control.

Adult Cats

Once Fluffy is all grown up, the focus should shift to wellness care. Most cats should come in about once a year. Cats that go outdoors will need more frequent appointments, as will kitties that have ongoing medical issues.

Seniors

Kitties become seniors around the age of nine. However, our feline friends are living pretty long lives these days. It isn’t uncommon for cats to reach their late teens or even 20’s. Just like people, cats need some extra TLC as they grow older. Your vet may recommend bringing Fluffy in two or even three times a year.

Emergency Visits

In between appointments, you’ll need to be on the lookout for signs of illness. These can include things like poor grooming, lack of appetite, hiding, increased water intake, fever, lethargy, vomiting, and withdrawal. Cats tend to hide signs of illness, so you may not notice anything wrong until your feline pal is quite sick. Call your vet right away if you notice anything out of the ordinary.

The Car Ride

You may have noticed that many cats aren’t very big fans of car rides. It may help for you to leave your furry pal’s carrier out between appointments, so she can get used to it. On the way over, try to avoid sharp turns and fast stops or starts.

Questions

While you’re here at the clinic, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Cats are quite quirky, so you may be curious about some of your furball’s behavior or mannerisms. This is also a good time to get specific advice on Fluffy’s diet and care needs.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if ever we can be of assistance. As your Tumwater, WA veterinary clinic, we’re here to help!