Is Your Cat a Master of Disguise? 5 Surprising Insights from the Latest Veterinary Guidelines
Is Your Cat a Master of Disguise? 5 Surprising Insights from the Latest Veterinary Guidelines Many of my clients bring a cat into their lives because they want a "low-maintenance" companion. It’s a common misconception that cats are easier to care for than dogs. Because cats are often perceived as self-sufficient, a massive healthcare imbalance has emerged: while dogs visit us about 2.3 times per year, cats only make it to the clinic 1.1 times. As a veterinarian, I see the result of this every day. That "stoic" nature we admire is actually an evolutionary mask. In the wild, showing pain makes you a target; in our living rooms, that same mask is what keeps owners from realizing their cat is suffering. The 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines and the 2021 AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines were designed to help us unmask these hidden needs. Here are five insights that will change how you look at your cat’s health. 1. The Age Illusion: Why "Life Stages" Are...