When is it Time to Call the Vet?
by Rita Reimers, Multi Cat Behavior Expert
A question I get asked a lot by clients and friends alike is, how do I know if my cat needs to see a veterinarian?
My answer is usually “if you are asking yourself that question, then it’s time to make an appointment.”
You see, cats are masters of disguise. Since cats are prey for other animals, they are adept at tricking their predators into thinking all is well, when in fact they are sick or injured. Just because your cute little feline is domesticated, this does not mean those well-honed instincts cats have had for thousands of years suddenly vanishes.
If you are in doubt wondering if your cat is sick enough to need medical care, here is a quick checklist:
- Is your cat sleeping more than usual?
- Has his personality changed?
- Is he more talkative than usual?
- Does he drink more water than normal?
- Is he eating less?
- Does he just not seem to be acting like himself?
- Is he hiding away more?
If none of these changes are happening, yet something tells you in your gut there is something wrong with your felines friend, by all means CALL YOUR VET! Don’t go on Facebook and ask your FB friends, don’t ask your friends and relatives, don’t call your cat sitter (yes I got those calls quite a lot when I was a cat sitter!) or your groomer. That’s a lot to ask of people who are not medically qualified to make that type of assessment. No one wants that responsibility.
Just remember that no one on earth knows your cat better than YOU do, and ONLY YOU can tell if your cat needs medical care or not.
Remember, your cat’s very life may depend on your making the right decision. Err on the side of caution. Even if you make the “mistake” of going to the vet only to find nothing is wrong, isn’t that relief and peace of mind worth the price of the vet visit?
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