August 8 marks International Cat Day, a day dedicated to cat lovers who are all too aware of the independence of their cats, however, that same independent streak often leads to cats masking signs of disease.
“The medicalisation of cats tends to be low, which is why annual wellness exams are so important to ensure cats are healthy,” said business unit manager at Zoetis South Africa, Llewellyn Sinclair.
“Unfortunately, many cat owners find it incredibly difficult and stressful getting cats into a carrier. This is one of the reasons why they are reluctant to take their cats to their veterinarian unless they have a major health issue. The good news is that according to International Cat Care, research reveals that 95% of cat owners would like more advice on training their cats, which would in turn help them to get their cats to their local veterinarians with minimum stress – for the cats and their owners.”
To support cat owners and to improve the lives of both cats and their owners, Zoetis is sponsoring an educational campaign that provides training and resources to make it easier to bring cats into the clinic for health screening.
The #BeCatCurious campaign includes educational material and a range of training aids that have been developed by International Cat Care (ICC) in conjunction with leading experts.
According to ICC, owners who use positive training and rewards find it much easier to get their cats into a carrier, which means regular annual check-ups become far easier and any feline diseases are picked up timeously.
“To keep our pets healthy and protected against parasites and other cat-related illnesses, regular visits to the veterinarian and the correct medicines are essential. The ICC’s excellent training materials allow owners to learn something new with their cats, which not only strengthens the bond between them, but makes life healthier and easier for cats and their owners. The goal is for cats to live the best life possible.”
Owners can access the training materials via the International Cat Day online and share photos and stories on social media using #BeCatCurious to celebrate the time they spend training their cat to improve their relationship.
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