How to Take Your Cat to the Vet During Quarantine

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Royal Canin for IZEA Worldwide. All opinions are 100% mine.

Regardless of where you are in the world during the COVID-19 pandemic, you are likely feeling the effects of the shutdown, social distancing, quarantine – whatever level you are experiencing in your own place of residence. I live in Miami, FL USA, where the virus had an explosive outbreak in late March and early April, and continues to pose a huge health risk. We are still under pretty strict social distancing policies, many stores are not open, and personal services are appointment only, etc. Medical institutions are extremely strict on who can be in their buildings…visiting a doctor or a veterinarian poses a whole new level of inconvenience these days! Have you even thought about How to Take Your Cat to the Vet During Quarantine if you had sudden issues with cat health?

75% of American cat owners couldn’t have gotten through the quarantine without their pet / 57% said having a pet made them feel less alone, while 49% said it helped them feel less anxious).

I am one of those people! My cats and dogs are my constant companions, especially during times like these! As someone who lives alone and works from home, I do not really have many opportunities to socialize and it can be pretty isolating to be confined to my home for days on end. Gizmo is one of my best buddies and I keep a close eye on her now that I am home 24/7, as she is getting a little older and I want to make sure that she stays healthy.

How to Take Your Cat to the Vet During Quarantine

Many of us are ALWAYS HOME these days…I know that I certainly am! I don’t leave the house except for once or twice a week when I have dinner with friends or run to the store for something I can’t order online. I am ALWAYS around my pets now, including my three cats.

Now that we have all of this extra time to pay close attention to our cats, have you noticed anything that would strike you as abnormal? One study found that two-thirds (66%) of cat owners surveyed learned or noticed something new about their pet during quarantine.

Have you ever sat down and thought about what symptoms would look like if your cat wasn’t feeling their absolute best? Here are some things to look for to tell if your cat isn’t feeling well. Now, of course there could be other signs that your cat isn’t in the best of health, such as a loss of hair.

• Changes in appetite or water intake
• Coughing or sneezing
• Acting lethargic or not like themselves
• Vomiting
• Changes in stool quality – either softer or harder than usual
• More or less urine in the litter box

Do You Love Cats? Stay Educated!

Watch – A new cat-centric web series: Catology Presents Kitten Lady and Friends, covering everything cat…from behavior to health and nutrition.

Learn – Ready to learn more about cats and their specific needs? The best way to keep your cat healthy is to learn more about them. Stay Curious.

Chat – Be curious about your cat’s health – receive a complimentary chat with a veterinarian 24/7, brought to you by Royal Canin and Ask.Vet.

Shop – Purchase your favorite Royal Canin cat food from PetSmart and receive a free vet visit from Banfield.

Donate – Your Royal Canin cat food purchase from Chewy.com supports veterinary care for shelter cats through GreaterGood.org.

How to Take Your Cat to the Vet During Quarantine

There are many veterinarian’s offices offering curbside services to respect social distancing guidelines. Pet owners take their pet and sign them in, handing them over to the staff to be admitted and examined, while they stay outside in their vehicle. You simply tell your veterinary team what’s going on over the phone while they examine your cat.

Mobile veterinary services are available in many areas, so the vet can actually come to you. Mobile services can be available for routine visits, sick visits, and hospice visits or other specialized care.

Emergency clinics and specialty hospitals are also open, following social distancing guidelines, of course.

Ask your veterinarian about virtual appointments! Telehealth is becoming increasingly popular due to the COVID19 pandemic, and some veterinarians are offering this service for pet owners.

Did you know?

According to a recent study, many cat owners do not take their cats to the vet for regular checkups: 6 in 10 said they only take their cat to the vet when they notice something may be wrong, versus taking them for regular annual check-ups. Twenty-three percent of cat owners surveyed don’t believe that cats need to be taken to the vet as often as dogs, while 24% don’t believe indoor cats need to be vaccinated.

Fortunately, the survey found 66% plan to change how they care for their pet after COVID-19!

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