There is no doubt we all love our pets. However, we are aware that challenges can be high when it comes to pet owners bringing their cat or dog to the vet. Here comes the “Take Your Pet to the Vet” campaign, to raise awareness and share information, advice, and educational tips to help pets live long and healthy lives.
Because cats are masters of disguise and dogs may handle pain in their own behavioral way, the reality should not be taken lightly. Only 40% of cats visit a vet for preventive medicine purposes compared to 60% of dogs’. The gap usually starts early in life, with only 50% of owners taking their new kitten to the vet after acquisition”. And that is where the danger lies, as early visits to the vet help discover health conditions at early stages and get the pets used to the veterinarians presence, reducing the stress of the visit. Veterinarian visits – and ultimately pets’ health and well-being – can depend on habits established by the owner during kittenhood or puppyhood. In fact, bringing a cat or a dog to the vet biannually, or at least annually, can help avoid major health issues by furthering education or identifying a problem before it becomes Serious.
Nevertheless, pet owners have numerous reasons which prevent them from adopting a veterinary routine. From thinking that their cat has a minor problem that will be resolved by itself (838%) through to finding visiting a vet stressful (22%), or even due to a financial burden (17%), the list is long. At the same time, pet owners, who deeply care for their companion, said they would take their pet to the vet more often if it was easier to do so’.
When knowledge and communication are key
Today, many cats are suffering from health conditions that started to develop early in life, such as obesity. Even though some owners may find it cute, the extra weight puts the pet at risk of diseases and a shortened lifespan. Being used to regularly visiting a vet from an early age Is therefore crucial for pets.
As a pet’s diagnosis can be challenging, veterinary visits should not be limited to treating an illness or pain: check-ups should be done bi-annually or annually at a minimum. Preventative healthcare, which includes prevention, early detection, and reducing the impact of a disease, is essential for pets’ health and well-being. The same goes with vaccination which is critical to best protect pets and families against certain illnesses. Check-ups mean more than only ensuring booster injections are up to date. Regular visits allow veterinarians to learn important details about pets’ medical history and behavior, monitor the body weight, review growth charts, and discuss nutrition.
Last but not least, setting up a routine between pets and vets when they are kittens or puppies generally removes or significantly improves the hassle and stress related to visiting a clinic. The pet will indeed become more familiar with the entire process, including the carrier, smells, and noises. The pet owner will also receive nutritional advice, information on neutering, and other health-related tips, all helping to give the pet the best start of life possible and maximizing the chances of a long, healthy life. Truth be told, how we care for kittens or puppies impacts their physical, social, and mental health for the rest of their lives.
At ROYAL CANIN®, cats and dogs have and will always come first. As a global expert in health through nutrition, the brand takes responsibility for the health and well-being of pets beyond its nutritional diets. One action is to foster responsible pet ownership through sharing knowledge and giving access to crucial data which help debunk preconceived ideas and nurture easier ways, all leading to healthy habits. Because ROYAL CANIN® believes that pets make our world better, our purpose Is crystal clear: ABETTER WORLD FOR PETS.
(1) Study of 4437 cat primary caregivers globally on CAT owners’ relationship with their vets (SKY agency, 2018).
(2) Qualitative survey – Vets / Nurses – France, Dec 2017.
About Royal Canin:
The Royal Canin Company, the owner of the ROYAL CANIN” brand, is a division of Mars Petcare and a global leader in health through nutrition for cats and dogs. Founded over 50 years ago by French veterinarian Dr. Jean Cathary, Royal Canin pushes the limits of nutrition and knowledge in partnership with pet professionals and experts to live its purpose: ABETTER WORLD FOR PETS. Royal Canin works closely with pet professionals, such as breeders and veterinarians, not only to design precise nutrition for cats and dogs but also to develop a variety of services and tools to help understand and care better for pets. The company’s unique approach puts the nutritional requirements of cats and dogs at the heart of innovation. Their age, lifestyle, size, breed, sensitivities, and activity level are studied through science and observation to produce diets for each pet’s specific needs. The company drives sustainable practices, particularly in terms of responsible sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions and waste reduction, and the use of sustainable packaging where possible. Operating in more than 100 markets, Royal Canin counts approximately 8000 Associates, including 500 veterinarians and nutritionists. It also manages 16 factories and 2 pet centers around the globe, including 1 innovation center and 7 laboratories from the Mars network. Royal Canin’s nutritional products are available at pet specialty retailers and veterinary practices worldwide. Outside of Europe, Royal Canin company also owns the Eukanuba™ brand – a high-performance nutritional offer for dogs. To learn more about the Royal Canin company, visit www.royalcanin.com.
