As an important part of the family, a pet can make a huge difference to our lives. They provide emotional support, a friendly face, and as many cat owners will agree, life wouldn’t be the same without them. It’s a companionship that needs each other, and so looking after your cat and their well-being is a crucial part of ownership.
Whether you have an indoor cat or one that likes to roam and explore outside, you can ensure they live every day to the fullest by keeping in mind their health – both physical and mental, along with preventative measures to help them avoid any nasty surprises. By getting into a good routine with this, you can ensure they live a long, happy life.
Understanding Your Cat’s Health Needs
Like all animals, cats need looking after so that they can make the best choices. As humans, we go to the doctor whenever we feel under the weather and we follow advice on all manner of things from what to eat, how best to exercise, and understand which things are hazardous for our health. Cats need to do the same, but they are dependent on us as owners to help them avoid issues and stay in good shape.
Cats also cannot express themselves in the same way as us if there is an issue. This is where being vigilant when it comes to their health is important, being able to spot common signs and whether or not vet intervention is needed.
They can often mask their discomfort and illness, making it difficult for cat owners to realize there is an issue. As it is best not to underestimate the seriousness of any potential symptoms, having the expert advice of a vet will be crucial throughout your cat’s life.
Why Choosing the Right Vet is Important
Early on in your relationship with your new feline companion, you’ll need to choose a vet that will become an integral part of your relationship. Even if you are an experienced cat owner, there will still be situations where only a vet can help. According to recent data from Statista, 85% of cat owners were currently registered with a vet in 2024, meaning the vast majority see the importance of doing so.
Even if your cat is fine and healthy, there will come a time when vet assistance will be needed, especially when it comes to routine check-ups and spotting early signs of any serious issues. Here’s what to consider if you are looking for a vet:
- Keeping it local – you ideally want to find a good vet within close proximity to your home. This will ensure you won’t have to travel far, especially in an emergency, to get help.
- Speak to cat owners – like with lots of services, word of mouth can be helpful when choosing a vet. If you have friends or family who own a cat, speak to them about their vet and experiences.
- Look for reputable services – look for reviews online to find reputable vets, and ideally, go and visit any potential clinic. As per the Cats Protection, all vets working in the UK have to be registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), so be sure the vet you choose is registered. You should also check the practice is accredited by the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) too.
- Availability & booking – be sure they offer the services you need for your cat and that they can provide emergency care. Check how easy it is to contact them and book appointments, and most importantly, have opening hours that are convenient for you.
- Good atmosphere & helpful staff – a good vet clinic or facility should not only be clean and well-organized but also have staff you can trust and depend on. This is where speaking to other cat owners can help as you’ll be able to understand whether a clinic has patient and compassionate staff.
Hopefully, you shouldn’t have any problem with finding a suitable vet, but it is always best to check the above before signing up. You want to know you can trust them to help and that they’ll be there for you and your cat when you need them most.
Routine Care & Preventative Measures For Your Cat
Once you have found the ideal vet, you’ll be able to visit whenever there is an issue you want to address with your cat’s health and wellbeing. Having a regular check-up at least once per year is important as it means your vet can monitor your cat’s health and catch any issues early on. In between this, you’ll want to check your cat regularly at home. If then you notice anything unusual, you can then book additional appointments as and when needed.
Routine Visits
During routine visits, your cat will receive any necessary vaccinations including boosters every 1 – 3 years in adult cats, and routine prescription treatments for parasites like fleas, ticks, and worms, which are essential to prevent common yet serious health problems. They’ll also be able to check for dental issues during the annual check-up and provide advice on cleaning your cat’s teeth regularly at home. This will help to avoid issues like tartar build-up and conditions like gingivitis or periodontal disease developing.
Grooming
Keeping your cat well groomed is also something to get into a good routine with. It gives you a chance to look at your cat more closely whilst keeping their coat looking its best. If you then notice any unusual lumps, bumps or other skin issues like wounds or cuts you can then follow up with your vet. If you have a long-haired cat breed, brushing regularly will also prevent the fur becoming matted or tangled.
Diet & Exercise
Your cat’s diet will also need to be monitored to avoid them becoming overweight which can lead to health issues such as diabetes or joint problems. A balanced diet and plenty of exercise, especially if they are an indoor cat, will generally ensure they stay in shape. Your vet will be able to guide you on this if you are unsure what your cat’s ideal weight should be. As well as helping them exercise, this gives you a good opportunity to interact with your cat and help them stay stimulated. This will help to avoid behavioral problems developing and will strengthen your bond.
Think About Getting Your Cat Insured
The costs involved with owning a cat will vary for everyone, but when it comes to visiting the vet, it can quickly become apparent that costs can easily mount up. As well as routine check-ups, paying for vaccinations and preventative care, there are also the costs of those unexpected things in life which may require emergency care.
Accidents can happen and illness can take anyone by surprise, so having peace of mind you can cover the costs of any emergency care your cat needs with suitable pet insurance will go some way to helping keep costs down overall. Think about how you would pay for emergency treatment if and when it’s required. Whilst some owners choose to self-insure (relying on their savings) this isn’t always convenient depending on your budget. As your cat gets older, they may need more regular visits to the vet, so having insurance to rely on will mean not having to choose between helping them and your finances.
If in Doubt, Visit Your Vet
Whether you have owned cats for many years or are a first-time pet parent, there will be times when you need the help of your vet for peace of mind. If you notice any unusual symptoms or changes in behavior with your cat, speak to your vet as soon as you can.
It could just be the reassurance you need, but it could also help spot any symptoms of something more serious quickly. Looking after your cat’s health and well-being can be a challenge, but your vet will be there to help you whenever you need it.