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There’s a whole lot of stuff going on in the world. Even though I’m stuck at home most of the time, I’m still all over the place in my mind. That’s when I forget the common tasks that need to get done regularly, like taking my cats to the vet. And cats absolutely need regular check-ups to make sure they’re healthy.
Now if you’re sitting there thinking that your cats don’t need to go to the vet because they’re indoor only I’ve got a few statistics for you. 6 out of 10 cat owners only take their cat to the vet when they notice something is wrong with them. 23% of these cat owners also didn’t realize that indoor cats need to be vaccinated every year. But they do. And with a whopping 75% of American cat owners say they couldn’t have gotten through quarantine without their pets. Doesn’t that just go to show you just how worthy our felines are of regular health care? After all, a happy cat has good cat health
And there are a few things you can do to help your cat have good health… Make sure they have adequate stimulation. Cats are fun little creatures and need to play. The also need to scratch – learn how to make them a DIY cat scratching post here! Feed them good, quality cat food like Royal Canin. As an added bonus, you’ll receive a free veterinarian visit from Banfield if you purchase Royal Canin cat food from PetSmart. Purchase from Chewy.com and Royal Canin will support veterinary care for shelter cats through Greatergood.org keeping all cats healthy :) Stay Curious and learn more about your cat’s health and specific needs so you can watch for any changes in your cat’s behavior. If you have a specific question, get one chat with a veterinarian 24/7 courtesy of Royal Canin. Ask. Vet.
Is It Time to Take Your Cat to the Vet?
Not sure when to take your cat in for a vet visit? Is your cat showing any of these symptoms?
- Changes in appetite
- Coughing or sneezing
- Changes in water intake
- Vomiting
- Change in stool
- More or less urine in the litter box
- Acting lethargic or not like themselves
Is your cat due for their shots? Has it been a while since their last general check-up?
If you answered yes to any of these then it’s time to take your cat to the vet!
How Do You Visit the Veterinarian During a Pandemic?
The pandemic has made a lot of things so different. But luckily veterinarians are working hard to provide safe options to get your cats the health care they need.
A lot of vet clinics are offering curbside pick up. You’ll wait in your car and talk to the vet and their techs over the phone while they examine your cat. If you’d prefer to stay home there are even mobile vets that come to your house. And also in line with staying home, some vets are offering tele-health appointments where you have your visit via a video appointment. Isn’t that cool?
If you’ve opted to visit the vet clinic in person you’ll need to crate your cat.
Most vets require your cat be contained somehow rather than just carried in. A lot of cats really don’t care much for being kenneled no matter how short of a time they are confined. But we can at least make them a little bit more comfortable. So let’s make their crates more comfortable for them with a DIY Cat Crate Cushion, brought to you by Royal Canin, so you’ll be all set to take your cat to the vet.
Need a little more help getting vet ready? Enter for your chance to win a prize pack that will help you get ready for your cat’s next vet visit! Royal Canin is also offering a free sample of Canin Hematuria Detection by Blücare to everyone who enters their #Cat2Vet sweepstakes. enter the sweepstakes now
Supplies Needed to Make Your Own Cat Crate Cushion:
- 1″ Upholstery Foam
- Fabric
- Fabric Waterproofing Spray (optional)
One of the things I love about this project is that you can totally bust your stash. If you’ve ever upholstered anything chances are you have a little scrap foam somewhere. And if you don’t already have fabric in your stash that will work for this project, check out the clearance section at your local craft or big box store. Fabric waterproofing spray is available at big box and grocery stores near the upholstery protector sprays.
Making a Cat Crate Cushion
Place your cat crate on top of a large piece of paper or several smaller pieces taped together. Trace the bottom of the cat crate and cut out.
Place your paper pattern on top of your upholstery foam and trace it. Use sharp scissors or a utility knife to cut the shape out of the foam.
Take your fabric and fold it in half with the pretty sides facing each other and the fold at the top of your work surface. Measure across the narrow width of your foam and add 2″ to that number. (Add 3″ if you are using 2″ foam.) Use a straight edge to draw a line down from the fold to the bottom of the fabric. Take the number you worked out for your foam and measure that far from the first line. Draw the line down from the fold to the bottom of the fabric. Pin the fabric together down the lines. Hand or machine sew down the lines.
Turn your fabric pillow case right side out and put your foam inside.
Trim the edge of the fabric so that you have 1.5-2″ clearing the end of your cushion. Fold the fabric up twice to hide the raw edge. Sew (or glue) in place to secure the foam inside.
Waterproofing Your Cat Crate Cushion (optional)
If you have an older or incontinent cat it’s a good idea to waterproof your cushion. After the cushion has been sewn shut use a waterproofing spray on all sides and allow it to dry. Use according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Once fully dried and aired out, put the foam cushion in the bottom of your cat’s crate.
Give Your Cat Someplace to Hide While Waiting to See the Vet
I’ve never had a cat that didn’t want to cram themselves down at the far end of their crate at the vet’s office. Once they’ve gotten themselves down there they can get really upset when the vet reaches in to try and remove them. All you need is a nicely sized, thin piece of fabric inside of the crate they can crawl under. Look for a cotton knit fabric. This kind of fabric won’t fray so you can just cut it to size without having to hem the edges. It will also breathe nicely so you don’t have to worry about your cat getting overheated.
With just a little bit of effort your cat will be so much more comfortable on their next vet visit!
