The Importance of Comprehensive Wellness Care for Cats
All pets need regular veterinary check-ups and good at-home care to be at their best and to live a long, healthy life. Unfortunately, one in every four feline owners do not believe that annual veterinary care is necessary for cats and, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 10% of cat owners never take their cats to the vet at all.
The implication of these findings is unsettling when you think about how many cats will suffer through illness and disease that could have been prevented. Wellness care for cats goes well beyond addressing illness – it aims to prevent conditions associated with aging through proactive, preventive care.
At Advantage Veterinary Center, we want to champion the health of our feline friends by asserting the importance of wellness care, which includes comprehensive physical examinations and much more!
What is Wellness Care for Cats?
Modern medicine has shifted away from strictly treating diseases to trying to prevent them, as well as viewing the patient more holistically. The focus is now on overall health, quality of life, and prevention. Veterinary medicine is no exception to this progress.
While we used to see pets only when they became sick, we now know that focusing on regular, complete care relies on more frequent exams, advanced diagnostics, and, most importantly, creating relationships between the pet, their owner, and the veterinarian.
Each individual patient is treated exactly as such: an individual with unique needs and health requirements. By getting to know your cat through consistent wellness visits, we can better understand their specific needs and detect any subtle changes in health.
Wellness care is a whole pet approach to veterinary care, encompassing a myriad of physical, emotional, and behavioral health services, some of which include:
- Nose-to-tail examination
- Diagnostics, including parasite and disease screening
- Dental care
- Personalized vaccination protocol and parasite prevention
- Coat and skin health
- Eye health
- Heart rate and respiration
- Ear health
- Weight management and nutritional counseling
- Behavioral consultation
During annual or bi-annual wellness exams (we recommend twice yearly check-ups), you’re encouraged to ask questions about your pet and to alert us as to any changes you may have noticed. This partnership goes a long way in establishing optimal health for your paw friend and builds communication and trust that fosters ongoing good health.
The Advantages
While we love them for their mysterious, unassuming ways, cats can also be at a disadvantage when it comes to the subtlety of pain they may be experiencing or any changes taking place. Regular exams help establish a baseline of your pet’s normal health, so we can spot any changes immediately.
The benefits of regular wellness care include:
- Early detection
- Increased dental health (which is often overlooked without regular exams)
- Slowing down the effects of aging
- Customization of parasite prevention and vaccinations
- Regular screening for parasites and other common diseases
- Strengthening trust and the bond between pet, owner, and veterinarian
- Addressing at-home daily needs and improving quality of care
- Assisting with car, travel, and/or exam anxiety that’s often a concern for cat owners
Just like our dog companions, cats deserve exceptional veterinary care. Achieving excellent health and happiness for our wonderful cat patients is something we feel strongly about at Advantage. If we can answer any of your questions or concerns or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please give us a call.