National Bring Your Cat to the Vet Day
The “laying on of paws” does not replace proper vet care!
Tomorrow, August 22, is “National Bring Your Cat to the Vet Day.” The Catalyst Council along with American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), The International Cat Association (TICA), and a major pet food company have partnered in this an opportunity to educate cat owners on the importance of routine check-ups.
I’ve posted about this topic for the past several years. Catalyst Council cites a study by Bayer Animal Health that half of all American pet cats do not see a veterinarian regularly. And of the 1000+ Banfield veterinary hospitals, only one cat is seen by a veterinarian for every five dogs, despite many studies reporting that there are nearly eight million more pet cats than dogs.
My two cats see the veterinarian, despite their reluctance to do so. So…are you ready to get Kitty to the vet? What’s holding you back?
What About Dr. Google?
Now, y’all know I have a boatload of books available about how to care for your furry wonders, from kittenhood to old age, first aid and everything in between. But a book or an Internet search is NOT how best to care for your cat!
There IS a new resource just for pet parents that can help you with some of the objections your cats (and you) have. Many kitties are afraid of changes in routine, so vet visits turn up the fear factor. You can join Fear Free Happy Homes for free–-and access lots of tips for taking away kitty angst. I’ve also put together a short award-winning Quick Tips booklet with some helpful advice, too (click on the book cover for more info).
Maybe you hate that the vet takes your cat to the back? Read this post to understand why.
Kitty needs hands-on whisker-to-vet interaction to ensure s/he’s healthy and will maintain that health for all of her nine lives. By the time you notice something may be amiss, it’s likely been percolating for a while…
How To Help
Don’t just spring the notion on Kitty-kins in one day. Plan ahead. You’ll want to get your cat used to the carrier. So check out this how-to blog with a kewl video for tips.
Then for some quick tips, read below.
- Check out the PAW-some Infographic, below–from last year’s campaign (it’s still valid!).
- Please TWEET about this using the #Cat2VetDay hashtag.
- CALL your vet today and make an appointment for your furry wonders.
- SHARE on Facebook. We need to get our cats some furry love.
- Oh, and here’s another great resources, a PDF you can share far and wide with more great info: 5 Cat-Tastic Benefits of Routine Vet Visits!
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book giveaways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE!
Amy Shojai, CABC is a certified cat & dog behavior consultant, a consultant to the pet industry, and the award-winning author of 35+ pet-centric books and Thrillers with Bite! Oh, and she loves bling!
