{"topic_id":"companion_cat_health","category":"companion-health","context":"---\ntopic_id: companion_cat_health\ncategory: companion-health\ntitle: \"Cat health — routine veterinary care, vaccines, parasites, dental, and signs of illness (Merck Vet Manual)\"\nlang: en\nsource: \"Merck Veterinary Manual - Routine Health Care (companion_cat_health)\"\nsource_file: pdf-raw/companion-care/cat_routine_health.txt\ndate_parsed: 2026-08-01\ntokens_estimated: 247\nverified: true\nverification: c1_substring\nsource_document: \"Merck Veterinary Manual (pet-owner version)\"\ncitation:\n  authority: \"Merck Veterinary Manual\"\n  title: \"Cat health — routine veterinary care, vaccines, parasites, dental, and signs of illness (Merck Vet Manual)\"\n  url: \"https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/caring-for-cats/routine-health-care-of-cats\"\n  retrieved: \"2026-08-01\"\n  ref: \"\"\n  doc_type: \"pet-owner veterinary reference\"\n  needs_review: false\n---\n\n# Cat health — routine veterinary care, vaccines, parasites, dental, and signs of illness (Merck Vet Manual)\n\nThe text below is reproduced verbatim from the first-hand source (Merck Veterinary Manual, pet-owner version).\n\n> Routine health care is the regular care your cat needs to stay healthy throughout its life.\n> This includes visits to the vet for vaccinations, controlling parasites, proper dental care, providing good nutrition, grooming, and keeping your cat safe from dangers in the home.\n> Adult cats: Should see the vet for a full checkup at least once a year.\n> Older cats are more likely to get sick, and catching problems early is important.\n> Your vet might suggest regular blood tests to check for early signs of chronic illness.\n> Sick cats: If your cat seems unwell, take it to the vet right away.\n> Vaccinations are crucial for all cats, whether they stay indoors or go outside.\n> The American Animal Hospital Association and the Feline Veterinary Medical Association have published guidelines for vaccinating cats.\n> Your vet will recommend vaccines that are necessary based on where you live and your cat's lifestyle.\n> Booster vaccinations may be needed throughout the cat’s life to ensure ongoing protection.\n\nSource: `pdf-raw/companion-care/cat_routine_health.txt` (first-hand pet-owner veterinary reference, tag-stripped).\n","sources":["companion-health — Cat health — routine veterinary care, vaccines, parasites, dental, and signs of illness (Merck Vet Manual) (retrieved 2026-08-01)"],"source":{"authority":"companion-health","title":"Cat health — routine veterinary care, vaccines, parasites, dental, and signs of illness (Merck Vet Manual)","url":"https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/caring-for-cats/routine-health-care-of-cats","retrieved":"2026-08-01","ref":"","doc_type":"official PDF","source_document":"Merck Veterinary Manual (pet-owner version)","verification_file":"pdf-raw/companion-care/cat_routine_health.txt"},"source_document":"Merck Veterinary Manual (pet-owner version)","source_file":"pdf-raw/companion-care/cat_routine_health.txt","tokens_estimated":242,"generated_at":null,"tip":"Use /api/v1/topics to discover more topics. /api/v1/nutrient for precise single-point queries. /api/v1/cross_compare for 2-3 standard comparisons."}