The American Association of Feline Practitioners (http://www.catvets.com) wants you to take your cat to the veterinarian. So do I. Taking Aimee to see her veterinarian is basic to her care. As a responsible owner and someone who loves her cat to distraction, it's important for me to insure that Aimee is healthy as well as happy, that she eats well and properly. Aimee turned 15 years old this month. She came to live with me when she was 3 1/2. It seems as if she has always been here, an especially sweet presence in my life who gives unconditional love.
August 22nd is Take Your Cat to The Vet Day. It's a good reminder for us. It doesn't mean rushing for an appointment today. It means that you should take your cat to see her veterinarian at least once a year. In Aimee's case, at her age, she goes twice a year. Why? She has Senior Wellness Visits. At the very first one a baseline was done with every possible test. Every six months she has a check-up. If anything is wrong, we'll find out more quickly.
When you take your cat in, be sure to take a list of questions with you. If you need to know something about your cat's care, your veterinarian is the person to ask. You will work together as a team in the best interests of your feline companion.
Part of going to the veterinarian is transporting your cat. It will be so much easier if your cat likes her carrier and is comfortable in there. He's an info graphic from The American Association of Feline Practitioners on that topic:
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| Courtesy of AAFP |
If your cat hasn't been to the veterinarian in a long time, or if your cat has never been to the veterinarian, please pick up the phone and make an appointment - the earliest one you can get. Aimee's veterinarian not only sees dogs but is a feline practitioner. It gives me an extra feeling of confidence.
And please hug and kiss your cat for me.
For longer than I count, dog owners have always turned over every leaf and stone searching for their lost pets. Cat owners, who were even more likely to allow their pets to roam seldom used to look for their lost felines, assuming they'd run away or found a new home. It's really hard to fathom that attitude these days although I suspect some people may still feel that way.
I now see nearly as many posters for missing cats as I do for dogs. Still there is a good way to help ensure that your lost pet will be reunited with his family: microchipping. It is becoming nearly as popular for cats as it is for dogs but we still need to make more people aware of microchipping, especially cat owners.
One microchip company, Home Again, has gone the extra mile for cats and their people, not only providing a safety net of microchipping but helping in another way as well. Home Again Proactive Pet Recovery Network has promised to donate $1. to the Winn Feline Health Foundation for every cat microchipped and enrolled in Home Again during the months of June, July and August. You still have time to take advantage of the company's generosity in helping feline health studies while taking that extra step to provide for your own cat's recovery in case he is lost.
While some cats wear a collar, a cat who gets loose can easily lose his collar and thus his tag as means of identification. Microchipping provides that added measure of security. If your cat is taken to a shelter or veterinary hospital, he can be scanned for a microchip, his number can be called in to Home Again and the owner will be notified.
It's sad to think that microchipped cats are fewer in number than microchipped dogs. It's a relatively inexpensive and painless way to protect your beloved companion. And by taking advantage of Home Again's generous donation offer, you'll be helping all cats have healthier lives through Winn Feline Foundation's studies which will greatly benefit from Home Again's generosity. They will be as generous as you are a responsible owner when you get your cat microchipped and enrolled in Home Again by the end of August.
Feel free to visit: www.winnfelinehealth.org to learn more about this 40 year old non-profit's work. The organization was established by the Cat Fanciers' Association to promote the health and welfare of cats through research and education.
Also be sure to visit: www.homeagain.com which is a subsidiary of Schering-Plough Animal Health Corporation.
