My pet cat, Muezza, is playful and energetic. But for the first 2 months, I used to tell people that I never take my cat to the vet. I thought it wasn’t a mandatory task. I really did it wrong, though, as I later learned the serious consequences of this mistake.
Vaccination is incredibly important for cats as it can prevent many infectious diseases. Without visiting the vet, you simply can’t vaccinate your cat. Beyond that, cats can silently develop serious issues like dental diseases, obesity, diabetes, and heart conditions. If your beloved cat gets affected by a parasite or the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), it could even be life-threatening for her.
In this article, you’ll get detailed information about these consequences. You’ll also learn the critical importance of regular vet visits for indoor pets, which is explained below. Stay with this article to know more!
Why Should You Take Your Cat To The Vet?
Whatever animal you keep at home, a visit to the veterinarian is essential. They might not always be in good health, even if they appear so. They could be in pain or suffering from a disease, but only a trained vet can truly find that out. Here are some important reasons why you should take your cat to the vet:
For the Prevention Of Disease
It’s always said that prevention is better than cure, and this is especially true for our feline friends. Taking your pet cat for a regular check-up can be incredibly beneficial, as a timely examination can prevent many unwanted diseases from developing or worsening.
The vet will suggest proper diet charts, recommend necessary medicines, and sometimes adjust diet plans as your cat grows. So, it’s vital to communicate openly with your vet and diligently follow their suggestions for your cat’s best health.
For Diagnosis Of Disease
Severe diseases don’t always come with obvious signs and symptoms. Many conditions can make an indoor cat less playful or energetic without clear indications.
You might also notice them performing many unusual behaviors. The challenging part is that cats can’t tell you the problems they’re suffering from directly.
In this situation, the perfect place for an accurate diagnosis is a reliable vet. If you’re already familiar with a clinic, it will be easier for you to reach them, and your cat might feel more comfortable during the diagnosis with a known face.
A veterinarian can often diagnose a cat’s pain by their facial expressions, movements, and through physical examinations. Sometimes, if the vet suspects a serious underlying disease, they’ll recommend biochemical tests or other diagnostics. This is why you should take your cat to the vet in a timely manner.
For Treatment Of Disease
During a regular check-up, the vet can also treat an ill cat. Sometimes, surgery or specific medications may be needed. Vets perform these duties when necessary. You simply cannot trust any random site on the web based solely on signs and symptoms. Without a proper diagnosis from a professional, it would be a dangerous decision to give your cat medicine based on “web world” advice.
Never give any medicine to your pet cat without a professional vet’s opinion. Doing so could be life-threatening for your little animal. The correct drug, dose, and timing must always be given according to the veterinarian’s prescription.
For Vaccination
Vaccination is absolutely crucial for indoor cats. Common vaccines include those for Rabies, feline panleukopenia (cat flu), and feline viral rhinotracheitis. It’s also important to get vaccines for different diseases depending on your geographic area and your cat’s lifestyle. Only a vet can give you a proper idea of the necessary vaccines and their correct schedule.
What Health Issues Can Arise If You Do Not Take Your Cat To The Vet?
Muezza, my pet cat, has visited the vet multiple times since my initial oversight. I first took her to the vet at the age of 2 months because I never found her “ill-looking” before.
But not visiting the vet with her for regular check-ups was my biggest fault. Fortunately, my mistake did not harm this little member of our family.
However, I’ve now realized that such a mistake could easily be life-threatening for a cat. I’ve since gathered a lot of information about this topic. The significant health hazards of not going to the vet are described below:
Dental Diseases
Indoor cats are surprisingly prone to dental diseases like periodontal disease and gingivitis. If you miss even one check-up, dental problems can arise quickly within that time gap. No matter how healthy a diet chart you follow, cats can still face dental caries or other oral issues.
This condition can lead to many other mouth problems, like swelling of the gums (gingivitis) or overall oral discomfort. Sometimes, these conditions lead to painful tooth loss, or the veterinarian might have to extract infected teeth to stop the spread of infection throughout the body.
Weight-Related Problems
Indoor cats can easily gain weight because they often get sufficient food but perform fewer activities. Even if they get enough playtime, it might be insufficient to burn off extra calories. Weight gain causes many other serious diseases like diabetes and heart problems (e.g., cardiomyopathy).
A vet can explain these consequences better and help prevent them. They can provide a proper, personalized dietary chart to help your cat maintain a healthy weight. Also, a vet can accurately advise on how many hours your cat should play or exercise to stay healthy.
Parasite Attack
Cats can be attacked by many internal parasites, such as hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms, which can put your cat in difficult, even life-threatening, situations. You might find symptoms like vomiting, decreased appetite, diarrhea, or bloody feces. Crucially, many other worms or external parasites like fleas and ticks can attack your cat and show no immediate signs or symptoms. Only a well-qualified veterinarian can detect these hidden problems and treat them efficiently and safely. [ASPCA – Common Cat Parasites]
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Attack
The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a serious, though less common, infection that is highly hazardous for your cat. If your cat is infected by this virus, it can affect other cats in the household or neighborhood. Mainly, the virus is transmitted through wounds, bites, or scratches, making outdoor cats or cats in multi-cat households more susceptible.
The symptoms can be common and non-specific, including inflammation, swelling, sneezing, and prolonged diarrhea. The survival rate for cats with FIV can be lower without proper management and care. I am lucky that my Muezza has not faced any of these severe problems. But if she had, I wouldn’t have been able to diagnose the disease or provide the right care. Because I hadn’t taken her to the vet at least once, I could have missed critical signs.
What Are The Reasons Behind People Not Taking Their Cat To The Vet?
Some common and frankly “silly” thoughts are often responsible for why people try to avoid visiting a vet for their cats or other pets. See below why these can lead to a wrong and potentially harmful decision.
Well Appearance Can Be Deceiving
Animals cannot express their pain or discomfort in words. Moreover, they are masters at hiding pain and illness, a survival instinct. So, simply by observing their daily activities, you may not discover that your pet is actually ill. People often mistakenly think a healthy-looking cat, performing regular activities, means everything is fine.
But that is not right all the time. This mistaken belief is a primary reason people are reluctant to take their cats to the vet.
Looking For Treatment on the Internet (Dangerous Shortcut)
People often look for shortcuts in life, and sadly, this extends to pet care. Not only for cats, but people even try to find treatments for themselves on the Internet now. But that is not the right way to deal with diseases, especially serious ones. You can easily get puzzled by wrong information and make a dangerous decision. A wrong medicine or improper dosage will undoubtedly put your feline friend’s life at serious risk.
Fear Of Excessive Costs (Misconception)
Some people think that a check-up costs a lot. But the reality is that costs differ significantly. A regular check-up costs less than treating an advanced illness. If it needs minor surgery or vaccination, then you’ll pay a bit more. In the case of major and critical surgeries, it can indeed be expensive. However, some clinics offer discounts or payment plans. Investing in preventative care early on can save you much more in the long run by avoiding costly emergency treatments for neglected conditions.
Ultimately, nothing is a better option for your cat’s health and longevity than going to the vet. Always try to go to a well-known and experienced veterinarian.
FAQs
These are some commonly asked questions by people about cats related to the vet.
How Often Should I Take My Cat To The Vet?
You should take your adult cat to the vet at least once a year if it doesn’t fall ill. It will be even better if you attend a check-up twice a year for preventative care. For kittens, the frequency should be increased as they are more prone to diseases and require a series of vaccinations.
Can cats live without going to the vet?
While indoor cats can technically live without ever going to the vet, their longevity and quality of life will almost certainly decrease. They will undoubtedly face difficulties and potentially suffer from undetected conditions if you do not take them for regular check-ups and proper medical care. Proper medication and preventative veterinary care are absolutely necessary to ensure their maximum lifespan and well-being.
Why do cats cry when going to the vet?
Cats often cry or vocalize when going to the vet because they feel scared, anxious, or stressed by the transport itself (e.g., carrier, car ride). They can also be uncomfortable with a new, unfamiliar place filled with strange smells, sounds, and new people. This is a normal reaction, and vets are experienced in handling anxious pets.
Conclusion
Visiting the vet is paramount for your cat’s health and happiness. It is crucial not to follow the mindset of “I Never Take My Cat To The Vet.” Many subtle but important health issues get hidden from our eyes as ordinary pet owners. But a veterinarian is trained to catch these minor points. Your cat may be suffering from gum pain or a mild infection, but as an ordinary pet owner, you might not find this. On the other hand, a vet can easily identify the problem by their trained observation, facial expression analysis, and physical examination. Regular check-ups can prevent and remove diseases, significantly improve your cat’s overall health, and keep them cheerful for years to come. So, make it a practice to visit the vet both for their ill conditions and for scheduled, routine check-ups. Your cat’s health depends on it.
