As the old saying goes, you can’t buy love. You most certainly can adopt it, though! June is National Adopt a Cat Month, and if you have been thinking about bringing home a feline family member, there is no better time to do it. Adopting a cat is a decision that you shouldn’t take lightly, but doing so could also impact your life in several wonderful ways.

Did you know that more than half of the cats in the United States are overweight? That translates to a whopping 56 million American cats who are carrying around more weight than they should. And about 40 percent of them aren’t just overweight; they are obese. While a chunky kitty is undeniably adorable, the excess chub is not good for their health. Like people, obese cats can suffer from health issues like heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes.

Recognizing the early signs of pain in your cat is an essential step in ensuring their long-term health and happiness. Unfortunately, felines are experts when it comes to hiding their discomfort. While they typically show outward signs when experiencing acute, intense pain, it’s not nearly as easy to detect when a cat suffers from long-term pain or discomfort.

It’s no secret that most cats do not enjoy being taken from their comfortable environment, placed in a carrier, and hauled off to the veterinarian, where strangers poke and prod them, dogs want to sniff them (or chase them or eat them or play with them), and the smells of unknown cats fill the air. The nerve! The good news is there are things you can do to keep your favorite feline from being filled with fear.

April is Heartworm Awareness Month and, as veterinarians, we are happy to have an opportunity to spread awareness about this devastating yet completely preventable disease. And while heartworm disease is often associated with dogs, cats can be affected with heartworms, too. The thing is, cats are considered atypical hosts for heartworms because most worms in cats do not survive to the adult stage.

A cat is a lifetime commitment—although it’s rare, there are instances of cats who have lived to 30 years old! From their gentle purring and sandpaper kisses to their playful, video-worthy behavior and snuggly leg hugs, cats make this well worth it. As a caring cat owner who has turned to the internet for information on senior cat care, you’ve already shown that you are hoping to give your furry feline the best life possible well into the gray whisker years. There are many things you need to know and that you can do to ensure your cat transitions into their senior years with relative ease.

From their uncanny ability to inhabit boxes and their silly whiskers to their love of laser pointers and their crazy catnip personas, cats provide their people with endless hours of love and entertainment. As cat owners, you want to return the favor by giving your pets long and healthy lives. February is National Cat Health Month and, as veterinarians, we appreciate the opportunity to shine a light on cat wellness. And while you want your cat’s years to be many, you should also want that time to be full of good health and plenty of enrichment.

Did you know that the Blue Cross has found that domesticated cats can live to 20 years of age? That’s great news for all of us in the cat-crazy crowd but, as veterinarians, these findings also motivate us to share awareness on how to care for senior cats.