Yay – Let’s All Go To… The Vet’s!
August 17th, 2010
I realize that this post’s title is probably way more cheery than pets or people ever think about a vet visit, but August 16-22, 2010 is National Take Your Cat To The Vet Week.
Wait. What about the dogs? Why is this week just focused on cats? Two reasons: number one is that this event was founded by Feline Pine cat litter. Reason number two is the simple fact that pet cats don’t visit the vet as often as their canine counterparts. Even though pet cats outnumber dogs by over 15 million in the US.
Dogs, Cats and Vet Visits – Let’s Compare
- Our dogs often accompany us in the car – to the park, on vacations and other dog-friendly errands (although should never be left in a parked car on a warm day!).
Cats do not. - Most dogs love a chance to meet and greet other dogs and humans, sniff stuff, and get treats from friendly veterinary hospital receptionists.
Cats do not. - Dogs often let us know when something hurts, their stomach is upset, or they aren’t their normal perky self.
Cats do not. - While some dogs may be nervous at the veterinary office, many of them (not all) overcome that apprehension with treats, lots of pets from friendly staff, or finally being able to walk out the front door. Living in the moment, blessed with short memories.
Cats do not.
The above list is oversimplified, but the point is that cats, cars and veterinary visits are not high up on many people’s list of Fun Things To Do With Your Cat. The sad thing is, many cats are quite good at “hiding” illnesses. Are they less active? That may be hard to tell when they don’t go for daily walks and sleep a lot of the day anyway. I wrote about veterinary reasons why you should take your cat to the vet on About.com with tips for finding a vet that will work with your cats. Now some fun stuff.
The Fun Stuff
As part of the Take Your Cat To The Vet Week awareness campaign, there are are couple of fun ways to be involved and help spread the word.
1) Funny Cat Stories: In honor of National Take Your Cat to the Vet Week, Feline Pine is asking people to submit their funniest vet stories via the contest tab on Feline Pine’s Facebook page.
There are prizes, too! Five selected winners (one chosen each day, August 16-22, 2010) will receive six months of Feline Pine cat litter and a $75 Visa gift card, good towards their next vet visit.
2) Romeo The Cat’s Survey Results: Romeo is one of my all-time favorite felines. To date, he and his human “staff” Caroline Golon have raised over $32,000 since Februrary 2009.Wow – a serious amount of money to help animals in shelters and rescues all over the US.
Romeo has a very funny blog and the “Wake Up Tactic” posts are not to be missed. In honor of Take Your Cat to the Vet Week, Romeo conducted a survey of cats and vets.
When going to the vet, please describe your cat’s behavior (you may choose more than one)
Somehow knows what’s up and runs to hide before we even leave – 43%
Won’t get into the cat carrier – 60.2%
Won’t come out of the cat carrier once at the V-E-T – 44.3%
Yowls and complains the whole way to the V-E-T – 67%
No problem, my cat loves the V-E-T – 10.2%
What does the staff at the vet’s office usually say about your cat?
What a loverboy/lovergirl! 31%
Hi Handsome/Beautiful 76.2%
I better get some back up 17.9%
We had to sedate him/her 8.3%
I’ve never seen such a ______________cat! 28.6%
Funny answers: Interesting, fat, feisty, big, neurotic, relaxed (actually paralyzed with
fear), vocal, chubby, unique, loving, exotic, interestingly named, well dressed, terrified,
pitiful, crazy.
Read more: Quick survey of Romeo’s cat staff friends
Photo: On the way to the vet office by Janet Tobiassen Crosby DVM
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Janet Tobiassen Crosby DVM never planned to be a writer. She wanted to be a veterinarian from the moment she learned such a job existed - sometime during the first grade, when she accompanied her mom to the vet with a sick cat. Janet "adopted" all the neighborhood cats, and at age 11 she started training her first dog, a newly adopted rescue Collie. At age 12, she joined a dog obedience 4-H club and was active through high school as a member and as a junior leader.
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