Sneaky Kitty: Royal Canin’s Take Your Cat to the Vet Campaign

The Royal Canin Take Your Cat to the Vet Campaign

Did you know that only one cat is seen by a veterinarian annually for every five dogs? According to a recent Banfield State of Pet Health Report, despite the fact that there are more than 10 million pet cats in the U.S., very few are seen for annual wellness checks! Royal Canin is here to remind pet parents that cats can be sneaky when it comes to health.

Join us in recognizing national #Cat2Vet day with the Royal Canin Take Your Cat to the Vet campaign on August 22 and prioritize preventative wellness checks for your feline furriend!

Surprising Statistics

At first, this 1 in 5 statistic startled me. But then…I thought back to the last time I brought my kitties in for an annual check up. Olivia has been in for check ups because of her UTI issues, but Louis was overdue until I had to board them the other month.

It’s so easy to fall out of a routine, especially between moves and busy schedules. I honestly hadn’t even realized Louis was overdue until the vet said he needed his annual shots to be boarded. Between moving after law school and getting settled in a new city, I completely missed the fact that it had been over a year since his last check up.

Royal Canin's Take Your Cat to the Vet Campaign

Whether it’s because of a busy work schedule, family obligations, school semesters, or major life events, things slip through the cracks. It happens! Plus, bringing your cat to the vet can be stressful for everyone involved. The Royal Canin Take Your Cat to the Vet campaign has some great reminders about why it’s important to prioritize your kitties’ annual checkup. Take this time to get your kitties’ next wellness check scheduled!

Royal Canin's Take Your Cat to the Vet Campaign

Why Annual Wellness Checks Are Important

Cats can be sneaky and it’s easy to miss signs of illness. It’s hard to tell when your fur baby doesn’t feel well, and it’s frustrating that they can’t just tell us what is wrong. I felt so bad when I realized that Olivia’s first UTI had probably been going on for a while and I didn’t know, but when I thought about it more, she really never gave any signs of distress (until she started peeing on the bed).

Things to Watch For

Lucky for us pet parents, Royal Canin has created an easy-to-follow list of things to watch for in regards to kitty health.

First: Eating and Drinking

Keep an eye on your cat’s appetite. Are they interested in food or has their appetite dropped off? Are they drinking more than usual? Is their eating behavior different than their normal?

Second: Behavior Changes

Keep an eye out for lethargy or other changes in your cat’s daily activities its levels. For those of us with climber cats, are they no longer exploring their high-up-hang-outs and suddenly preferring lower lounges? Is your cat hiding out more than usual? Keep an eye on changes in grooming habits or changes in daily play levels!

Third: Litter Box Habits

A lot of kitty issues manifest through litter box habits. See, e.g., Olivia — whose peeing on the bed has likely been a mix of UTIs and behavioral issues since she and Emory tend to clash. If your cat is typically good about using the litter box, suddenly refusing to use it or going outside of the box can be a sign of trouble. It can be kind of hard to see if you have a hooded box, but keep an eye out for blood or dark urine. Basically, if anything seems off, it’s probably not overreacting to take your kitty in for a check up!

Fourth: Catch All Other Signs

It’s good to keep an eye on sneezing, coughing, vomiting, or weight loss/gain. Is your cat experiencing any eye drainage or discharge from the ears or nose? Are they scratching more than usual? Changes in coat texture can also be a sign that something is wrong.

Keep Small Issues From Becoming Big Problems

You know your fur baby better than anyone. I’ve learned that, if something seems off to me with the kitties, it’s probably because something is. Small problems are easy to take care of, but it’s important to keep these things from becoming big issues.

Dealing With Vet Stress

I mentioned earlier that going to the vet can be stressful for you and your fur baby. This can be a barrier to taking your cat to the vet. I know it has been for me with Louis. My otherwise-mild-mannered Mr. Mittens can be a bit of a terror at the vet. He gets so stressed out and anxious, whether I am there or not, and it can be hard to see him in that situation.

I have mentioned before how much of an impact Feliway has made on my cats’ lives. Feliway isn’t just great for intra-kitty struggles (IE: Emory and Olivia’s clashes), but it’s also great for travel-induced anxiety. Royal Canin sent us some Feliway wipes to try out, which have been great so far. Like the Feliway spray, you can simply apply these wipes directly to a pet carrier before going to the vet to help keep your kitty calm.

As a pet parent, it can be hard to feel like you’re causing your fur baby stress by bringing them to the vet. However, I urge you to remember that you’re just looking out for their best interest! We all want our fur babies to be around for as long as possible, and the best way to manage that is to keep them healthy — inside and out!

Learn more about the Royal Canin
Take Your Cat to the Vet Campaign here!

Thank you Royal Canin for sending us this awesome gift box and the informative literature!

NOTE: I am not a vet. My insights are based on being a cat mom for the past six years and experiencing kitty cat life. If you have concerns about your cat’s health, I recommend bringing your pet to the vet! #Cat2Vet