Maintaining your Cat's Health
When cats are sick or in pain, they’re notorious for masking their illness and hiding their symptoms, and it’s not because they’re just too proud or independent to show it. One theory is that this behavior has deep biological roots - in the wild cats would be ‘prey’ animals, and showing any sign of weakness would make them more vulnerable. That’s why even an injured cat will likely keep moving as if nothing was wrong.
Knowing this, it’s up to us to keep a watchful eye on our beloved feline friends. Particularly because animals mature faster than we do - biologically they evolved that way, making them better able to survive disease and predators in the wild. Cats are considered senior after about 12 years, so we always have to remind ourselves that with “accelerated” health, they may develop disease earlier so we need to check for red flags.
A wellness examination is a routine medical examination of a cat that is apparently healthy as opposed
to an examination performed when a cat is ill. A wellness examination is often called a “check-up” or a
“physical examination” and the focus of this exam is the maintenance of your cat’s health. These exams
allow your veterinarian to detect and treat health issues earlier which
usually means less expense to
you and often a better
outcome for your cat.
More on Health & Wellness
- How to Care for Your Senior Cat
- Check Your Cat's Vital Signs at Home
- Why Does My Cat … Mask That He's in Pain?
- Pet Care Should Focus More on Wellness, Less on Shots
- How to Give Your Cat a Pill
- How To Tell If Your Cat is Ill
- Cat Exercise: Keeping Your Kitty in Good Shape
- Summer Hazards and Your Cat
- Feline Arthritis — A Condition That's More Common Than You Think