Today is national take your cat to the vet day. While researching this concept, I found a few surprising facts about our habits and beliefs around preventative and maintenance health practices for our cats.
- Veterinary visits for cats have declined by thirty percent over the past fifteen years.
- Despite the fact that there are more pet cats than pet dogs, dogs are seen by veterinarians five times more often than cats are.
It’s speculated that we see cats as being more independent and that we don’t rush to intervene on their behalf. Some of us have grown up with the idea that cats are free agents–plentiful and disposable. Dogs, on the other hand, are more dependent on us–maybe even considered more valuable. Cats come and go in many households. Often, they’re pushed on us by indiscriminate backyard breeders or they’re strays we just start feeding. We come by cats easily—we agree to take them in—but we’re reluctant to spend money on them or go through the hassle of driving a non-compliant cat to the veterinarian.
Some of us believe that cats have fewer health issues. That’s probably because cats can
hide their illnesses better. In fact, what does a cat do when he isn’t feeling well? He stays on the sidelines, hides in the closet or under the porch outside. Often it’s difficult to detect a problem with a cat—especially if the cat makes himself scarce.
Dogs, on the other hand are more in your face and a health issue is easier to detect.
Well, this is a good day to think about your cat’s health. Is she eating less enthusiastically? Is she drinking a lot of water or showing signs of malaise? Is her coat a bit scruffy? Is she scratching a lot? Does she sleep more than usual? Does she shy away from your touch? When is the last time she had any vaccines or a well check-up?
The good news is cats live longer now than they did say twenty years ago. You can expect to enjoy companionship with your cat for seventeen to nineteen years. Their average lifespan used to be twelve to fourteen years. And part of the difference is quality veterinary care. I can tell you that we may have lost our Lily by now—actually more than once—if it wasn’t for our veterinarians. They pulled her through after an awful accident, a team of them kept her alive and got her going in a healthy direction after she started to crash due to her kidney disease, and they’ve managed to keep her healthy despite the disease.
If it’s been a while since your cat has seen a veterinarian, especially if there are symptoms you don’t understand, today is a good day to call and make an appointment.
I couldn’t resist sharing this crazy link with you featuring ordinary cats that have been caught doing some crazy things. Beware, some of them are a tad off color, but most are kind of interesting, thought-provoking, and will cause a chuckle or at least a puzzled look. 
I hope you are taking the time to check out some of the neat sites, interesting resources, updated information, delightful cat stories, etc. that I bring you Monday through Friday.
How much do you like cats? Enough to travel great distances in order to meet one, mingle with hundreds, or be entertained by a troupe of them? Monday, I told you about inns across the US that feature one or more cats as greeters. Some hotels allow you to invite one of their cats into your room for added charm and comfort. But if that isn’t enough cat-action for you, check out some of these options for traveling cat-people.
rescue organization known as KittyKind. Be prepared to leave your shoes at the door—they don’t want anyone inadvertently stepping on a kitty’s tail. The café is not free, however, guests pay $4 for half hour or $30 for the maximum of five hours for the pleasure of hanging out with the cats. And you’ll probably need reservations. There’s a second cat parlour in New York called Meow Parlour Patisserie and I understand it’s free.
Here’s something most of us have never seen—a Cat Boat Sanctuary. It was established for stray and homeless cats in the 1960s in Amsterdam as a way to protect the cats as well as keep them from annoying wildlife and residents. Over time, they’ve had to buy larger and larger boats and I suspect there are more than one boat today. Check it out here: 
I know, I know, I promised I’d share information and resources for places you can get your cat fix while traveling. And I will. Only there are some exciting things going on with the Klepto Cat Mysteries and I wanted to share that today. Tomorrow, I’ll introduce you to cats all over the world who are eager to make your acquaintance.
Last month, I posted snippets about the Cat Writers Association/Blog Paws Conference I attended. I reported on some of attendees who brought their cats, dogs, even ferrets and a rat, many of them dressed up and being pushed around in pet strollers. It was interesting to see so many animals in such a snazzy resort. In fact, I rarely see pets when I travel—especially cats.
hate, hate going for rides in the car. Can you imagine your cat warming up to the idea of a plane ride with dozens of strangers and all that noise and activity? Mine would certainly cause havoc on a flight. However, there are cats who adapt well to traveling such as Edward Webster’s cat, Felicia. He and his wife, Marguerite opted to take their 16-year-old cat with them when they spent a year touring Europe. Read their story, A Year of Sundays, published by VanderWyk and Burnham. You might also enjoy the memoir Coast to Coast with a Cat and a Ghost by Judy Howard.
I couldn’t resist sharing this picture I took of Lily and a stuffed owl my granddaughter gave me. Lily looks like she’s singing to him.
The world loves a lover. But some people prefer cats with a more stand-offish personality—those that keep their distance. Others love a lap cat—one that will cuddle. And when you rescue, like most of us do, you never know what you’ll get. But I’ve learned over the years that a rather distant cat who watches from across the room might morph into a wonderful lap cat as she ages. It has happened in our home.
We often say how cool it would be if a kitten would stay a kitten. They grow out of their kittenish ways so fast. In a matter of a few months, it’s hard to recall how tiny a kitten once was. Some people have even tried to breed for the forever kitten—a pocket cat, a mini-cat…
Now, would you believe they’ve crossed the munchkin with another small cat, the sphinx, to get the Minskin? And there’s another new breed on the block—the Napoleon, which is a cross between the munchkin and the Persian. This breed was started in 1996 by a gentleman who was breeding basset hounds. They are ador-dorable, that’s for sure.
