As we know, our cats do not have the ability to verbally communicate their health state. This is why it is important that we always pay attention to the behavioral changes that could indicate that something is wrong.
Only a certified veterinarian can rightly diagnose, treat and prevent common cat diseases such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism and renal insufficiency. Besides, they can guide us in topics of high importance such as food, habits and behavior.
When to make the first visit?
When we welcome a cat into our home, no matter the age, one of the most important tasks to make is a visit to the veterinarian. If you don’t have other pets at home, we recommend that you wait a week for your cat to get used to your presence and see you as a figure of trust and authority, in this way it will feel more comfortable at the vet.
If you have other animals, it is preferable that your new cat goes on its first visit to avoid getting any parasites with your other pets. If for some reason this visit cant be done immediately, we recommend that you keep the animals separated.
For kittens, this first visit has to be done after 7 or 8 weeks of birth. When they turn 3 months, you should go to get their first vaccines and come back for second doses 3 months after that.
Checkups
Once your cat has completed its first visits, it will be necessary to make regular checkups. These have to be done at least once a year, in which the veterinarian makes a general health revision and applies vaccine boosters per required.
Remember that your cat leaves your house regularly and is in the presence of different animals, which makes it more likely for them to catch certain diseases. At the same time, your cat is at risk of ingesting plants or substances that could be harmful. A checkup will protect your family from all the dangers that derive from these interactions.
Signs that my cat is ill
As responsible owners, in addition to annual checkups, we should pay attention to any alterations in behavior that could indicate some deficiency in your cat’s health.
Cats divide their daily activities into three main actions, eat, play and sleep. If one of these three is altered, it could be indicating that your cat is unwell.
Other signs of disease are,
- Bad breath
- Feces are dry, liquid or have parasites
- Constant scratching (more than usual)
- Irritability or aggressiveness
Go to your veterinarian as soon as possible, he will be able to diagnose and indicate proper treatment for the illness.
Besides, don’t forget to feel their body regularly for bumps or lumps. In this way, you can quickly detect if your cat has a tumor, and immediately go to a specialist.
Many times we underestimate the huge responsibility of having a cat at home, their health depends on us and their wellness and life quality is entirely in our hands. We invite you to continue exploring and blog and find out more about cat health and care.