You can probably think of more fun things to do this summer than put your cat in a carrier and listen to her meow from the backseat on the car ride to the veterinarian’s office. That’s why the annual Take Your Cat to the Vet Day is such a great reminder for people that cats need annual wellness exams just as much as any other member of your family!

Veterinary Practice News notes that while there are over 74 million cats in the United States, there are only 1.6 feline veterinary visits per household/year. Make sure your vet visits are not just reserved for veterinary emergencies. Preventive care can help your cat live a longer, healthier life.

What are some of the routine annual feline preventive care treatments your cat should be getting? According to Pet Health Network, vets generally perform physical and dental examinations, give immunizations, conduct internal and external parasite checks, and take samples of blood and stool.

Routine exams are a great way to check for any potential problems like tooth decay, cancer, parasites, and many common feline diseases. What are the most frequent cat health diagnoses given during annual wellness exams? Here are the top ones, from Veterinary Practice News:

• Obesity
• Cystitis (bladder inflammation)
• Fleas
• Conjuntivitis (eye inflammation)
• Dental tartar
• Chronic kidney disease
• Upper respiratory tract infection
• Heart murmur
• Hyperthyroidism

Don’t forget to make that appointment today!