Take Your Cat to the Vet: Tips and Free Printable Art

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Royal Canin. All opinions are 100% mine.

I’m excited to partner with Royal Canin to tell you about their Take Your Cat to the Vet campaign and talk to you about protecting your feline babies — especially because our cats tell us when something isn’t feeling right. You can enter the sweepstakes now for a chance to win a prize pack to help you get ready for your cat’s next vet visit. Every entry will also receive a free sample of Royal Canin Hematuria Detection by Blücare.

So, when was the last time you took your cat to the vet?

Want to know an easy trick to help you remember every single year? Put your cat’s birthday on the calendar. Throw them a fancy dinner party (kidding, maybe), and then take them in for a checkup!

This has been a hard year for most of us, and we’re leaning on our pets for companionship more than ever.

Royal Canin did a survey, and 75% of American cat owners say they couldn’t have gotten through the shelter-in-place period without their pet. I can personally attest that Mish, Rosco, and Pippa have helped keep my anxiety at bay on many occasions.

Common Cat Care Myths

With everything these sweet creatures give us, keeping them healthy is the least we can do. But some common cat health misconceptions are keeping a lot of cats from being their healthiest.

• Myth: Cats only need to go to the vet when something is wrong. Just 4 in 10 people say they take their cat in for regular checkups. The rest only go when something is wrong. The tricky thing with cats, though, is you can’t tell when something is wrong. Regular vet visits can help catch problems early.
• Myth: Indoor cats don’t need to be vaccinated. While 24% of people believe this, it’s simply not true. Cats can pick up airborne germs we let in through windows and doors or track in with us. Plus, if your cat somehow gets caught outside by mistake, don’t you want to know they’re protected?
• Myth: Indoor cats don’t need to be taken to the vet as often as dogs or outdoor cats. Because cats hide pain so well, it can take a trained eye to spot a problem. Maybe animals are more likely to suffer an injury outdoors, but indoor cats are still susceptible to illness, disease, and aging-related conditions.

How to Tell if Your Cat Isn’t Feeling Well

Even though we’re home with them a lot more these days, cats can still seem like a complete mystery, right? Plus, we have way too much time to overanalyze their every behavior…

Fortunately, there are some things you can look out for, but note that this list doesn’t cover every possible sign of a problem.

• Changes in appetite
• Changes in the amount of water they’re drinking
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Acting lethargic (tricky if your cat is anything like my Rosco… )
• Vomiting
• Harder or softer than usual stool
• More or less urine in the litter box

Join the #Cat2Vet Movement

• Watch – Tune-in to watch a new cat-centric educational web series: Catology Presents Kitten Lady and Friends, covering everything cat…from behavior to health and nutrition.
• Learn – Ready to learn more about cats and their specific needs? The best way to keep your cat healthy is to learn more about them. Stay Curious.
• Chat – Be curious about your cat’s health – receive a complimentary chat with a veterinarian 24/7, brought to you by Royal Canin and Ask.Vet.
• Shop – Purchase your favorite Royal Canin healthy pet cat food from participating PetSmart locations and receive a free vet visit from Banfield.
• Donate – Purchase your Royal Canin cat food from Chewy in August to support veterinary care for shelter cats through GreaterGood.org.
• Win – Enter the #Cat2Vet sweepstakes for a chance to win a prize pack to help you get ready for your cat’s next vet visit. Every entry will also receive a free sample of Royal Canin Hematuria Detection by Blücare.

Free Printable Cat Person Art

I lettered a cute, silly little piece of art that you can print and put near your desk to remind yourself why you work so hard. 😉

Downloads: single cat, multiple cats