Did you know that according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), cats are brought to the veterinarian less often than dogs? Why is that? Is it because dogs outnumber cats? Or do cats really have nine lives and don’t need to go to the veterinarian?
Does America have more cats or dogs?
Okay, let’s start with the facts. According to the AVMA, in 2011, cats outnumbered dogs approximately 74.1 million to 70 million in US households. So while the number of dogs in US households has recently surged, cats continue to be America’s most popular pet. Why then, do cats receive less veterinary care? Are they really healthier?
The barriers to veterinary care for cats
Many theories have been proposed to explain the discrepancy in veterinary care between cats and dogs. Unfortunately, being healthier or having nine lives is not one of them.
One of the proposed theories is based on the observation that cats are masters of hiding illness. In the “survival of the fittest” world of our domestic cat’s wild ancestors, it is believed that hiding illness gave them a survival advantage by masking weakness. As a result, our domestic cats have become skilled at hiding their symptoms until problems become very advanced. Unfortunately, without the specialized training of a veterinarian, cat parents can easily miss the subtle, early symptoms, and not visit the veterinarian when they need to.
Another reason why cats are brought to the veterinarian less often than dogs is based on the fear cat parents have that a visit to the veterinarian will be a stressful experience for their cat and themselves. Cats are smart, so it doesn’t take long for them to figure out what’s going on. If they don’t want to go to the veterinarian, they will fight you tooth and nail. Anyone who has dealt with a fractious cat knows how quickly a cuddly kitty can transform into a fighting, clawing, biting fury of fur.
How can we get cats the veterinary care they need?
So what can you, as a cat parent, do to ensure your cat gets the level of veterinary care he deserves? Like dogs, cats need routine veterinary care to insure they are protected against preventable illnesses.
So let’s address the barriers to veterinary care. First and foremost, people need to realize that routine veterinary care is equally as important—if not more so—for cats, as it is for dogs. Regular visits to your veterinarian allow her to examine your cat and look for the subtle signs of disease. This is especially important for cats, since they are masters at hiding illness. Your veterinarian will also order screening tests if indicated. The prevalence of disease increases with age. Detecting diseases early can result in a better long-term prognosis since many of the complications of advanced disease can be avoided with early treatment. Most people don’t realize that many diseases can be asymptomatic in the early stages, highlighting the importance of screening tests in seemingly healthy cats.
While it is true that bringing your cat to the veterinarian can be a stressful experience for both you and your cat, it should not become an excuse. After all, how many people actually look forward to going to the dentist? How many of us have kids that get excited about going to the doctor? Most of us hate going to the dentist, and most of us have kids that break into tears at the mere mention of a checkup. Yet we still go to the dentist and take our kids to the pediatrician because we know it’s important. The same should be true for your cat. Semi- Annual checkups are the best way to ensure that your cat is protected against preventable diseases, and also to detect diseases early when they are easier to treat.
Remember, routine examinations are important to your cat’s health. Routine preventive healthcare is the best way to ensure your cat lives a long and healthy life.
If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian — they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.
