Adding a cat to your family is one of life’s most enjoyable and rewarding experiences. Your new feline family member is a fun and fluffy addition to your home and will surely prove to be just as loyal as a canine companion. Unfortunately, though, cat ownership is not without its challenges. From the occasional hairball to their tendency to wake their owners up at the crack of dawn for breakfast, there are a few occasional hiccups that accompany the joys of having a cat.

Recognizing the early signs of pain in your cat is an essential step in ensuring their long-term health and happiness. Unfortunately, felines are experts when it comes to hiding their discomfort. While they typically show outward signs when experiencing acute, intense pain, it’s not nearly as easy to detect when a cat suffers from long-term pain or discomfort.

One of the challenges many cat owners face is getting their cat to the vet clinic. Many of us are fellow cat parents, so we can appreciate the arduous task this can be. As veterinarians, we also know that regular vet care is essential for our feline friends' overall health and longevity. Many cat owners put off wellness exams and other vet visits because of this challenge, but doing so can have dire consequences.

From their uncanny ability to inhabit boxes and their silly whiskers to their love of laser pointers and their crazy catnip personas, cats provide their people with endless hours of love and entertainment. As cat owners, you want to return the favor by giving your pets long and healthy lives. February is National Cat Health Month and, as veterinarians, we appreciate the opportunity to shine a light on cat wellness. And while you want your cat’s years to be many, you should also want that time to be full of good health and plenty of enrichment.

February is National Pet Dental Health Month and, as veterinarians, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to shine a light on such a pivotal topic. And while we seem to hear more about dog dental care, cat dentistry gets far too little attention. Just like dogs with dental disease, cats can have trouble eating, painful mouths, and the infections can even spread into the bloodstream.

Did you know that the Blue Cross has found that domesticated cats can live to 20 years of age? That’s great news for all of us in the cat-crazy crowd but, as veterinarians, these findings also motivate us to share awareness on how to care for senior cats.

Listen up—we veterinarians are human beings! We understand that just about everyone turns to Google for answers to questions they have these days, as we do the same thing. But when it comes to your precious fur babies, there are far too many instances when “Dr. Google” gives a misleading or downright wrong answer. This can lead to a prolonged illness that could have been nipped in the bud, possibly painful scenarios for your pet, or even death.

We all get excited about holiday festivities and decorations—from the Christmas tree and holly berries to the Menorah and other Hanukkah trimmings during the holiday season. As you may see the sparkle in your family’s eyes when you bring out the tinsel, you may not realize that your cat also has a sparkle as well. Does this mean that to keep your cat safe that you can’t have your traditional holiday favorites? Not at all! As veterinarians, we always try to help you strike a balance between keeping holiday traditions intact while keeping your fur friends as safe as possible.