In the Company of Cats

Earlier this week, I started a series of doodles related to the Harry Potter books. As a lifelong fan of fantasy, the Harry Potter series was of course a large part of my childhood. That being said, since I am also a lifelong fan of cats, I've always thought that this series of books should star far more cats. Honestly, the magical students in the Harry Potter are allowed to have a magical pet at school, such as a cat, so why on earth do more kids not have cats in these books? This is what prompted my series of doodles, in which I have scribbled up some of the characters with none other than cats.

That being said, today's doodle doesn't really have to be Harry Potter specific. It does indeed include a wizard, who could be Harry Potter's magical mentor of a wizard known as Dumbledore. But, I have met lots of wizards in my reading career. So, this doodle could really be dedicated to any of those wizards. The main reasoning behind this doodle is the simple fact that I've always thought the wizards I've met could all use a hearty dose of cats.

Have a magical day, friends!

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Our Tip of the Day:

February is not only Spay/Neuter Awareness Month and Pet Dental Health Care Month, but also National Cat Health Month. We've already given tips on the first two, so now we're of course moving on to some tips for keeping those kitties healthy. Our first such tip is to take your cat to the veterinarian for a checkup on an annual basis at the least. In general, a health check is recommended at least every 6 to 12 months. More regular vet visits are of course recommended for any cats with known illnesses, such as kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and cancer, among others.

Visits with the veterinarian do not always just simply mean a quick exam, though. Depending on your furbaby's health, lifestyle, and any other important factors, you will of course have to take into consideration vaccinations, bloodwork, urinalyses, fecal exams, and so forth. Your veterinarian will be able to discuss and offer recommendations on how and when to proceed with these. For example, discuss with your veterinarian your cat's risk for certain illnesses, and discuss any related vaccinations. When it comes to bloodwork and urinalyses, these are often recommended at least yearly for seniors cats, such as those who have reached 6 or 7 years of age. This could allow for early detection of certain diseases. More frequent bloodwork is, of course, recommended for those with known kidney disease, diabetes, and a variety of other diseases.

The long and short of this tip is that your cat should be seen by a veterinarian at least once a year, or more frequently if needed. A veterinarian's exam, as well as bloodwork and other tests, can help reveal any issues that might be arising, whether or not your kitty is showing any signs of illness. Cats are professionals at hiding disease, so exams and tests could, quite literally, be lifesavers.