Happy Cats Wellness

You know your cat better than anyone else, and your veterinarian needs to know what you know about any changes in your cat's behavior that have occurred since the last exam.
Cats are skilled at hiding pain and illness, so early detection is crucial for preventing or treating physical and emotional disorders. Your participation as part of the veterinary team is key to helping your cat stay healthy and happy.

The core philosophy centers on the owner as the Cat Champion, a proactive healthcare advocate who works in partnership with the veterinarian by maintaining a wellness journal and performing daily observations. This approach emphasizes that routine veterinary checkups are essential for early intervention, especially because cats often conceal illness, and the source encourages owners to seek out a certified Cat Friendly Practice® (CFP) to minimize stress during these crucial visits.

Your cat wants to tell you something, but you must understand behavioral cues to decipher what it's saying.
In this episode we emphasize the critical link between a cat's behavior and its overall physical and emotional well-being. We explain how subtle behavioral changes are often the first indicators of underlying illness, pain, or stress in felines.
Ultimately, this episode underscores the importance of understanding and mitigating stressors in a cat's environment to improve treatment outcomes and enhance their quality of life.

This episode provides a comprehensive guide from The Drake Center for Veterinary Care on successfully introducing a new cat into a home with an existing feline resident. It emphasizes the importance of careful planning and a slow, gradual introduction process to ensure a harmonious multi-cat household.
Key recommendations include matching cat personalities, ensuring the resident cat's physical and mental readiness, and implementing a step-by-step introduction method involving scent exchange, separate spaces, supervised interactions, and consistent monitoring.
We offer post-introduction tips for long-term peace, such as separate feeding and ample resources. We emphasize the importance of continuously observing the cats' relationship.

Each season brings unique challenges and potential hazards for cat owners. From the blooming plants of spring to the holiday decorations of winter, every time of year presents specific safety considerations that require attention and preparation.
Understanding these seasonal patterns helps you anticipate potential dangers and take proactive steps to keep your feline companion safe throughout the year.

Your pet relies on you to recognize when something isn’t right. Cats and dogs often hide their discomfort, making it difficult to spot illness in its early stages. However, there are key signs that indicate your pet may be unwell.
By learning to recognize these symptoms, you can seek veterinary care sooner and improve your pet’s chances of a swift recovery. In this episode, we present some (not all) of the common signs of illness in cats and dogs that every pet owner should watch for. Always consult your veterinarian anytime your pets behavior changes, even if it seems insignificant, talk to the vet.

Happy Cats Wellness is built on the fundamental belief that "the animals we share our lives with are deserving of dignity and respect. They share with us the same rights for access to necessary resources and the kind of lives that lead to contentment, good health, and happiness."
Their mission is to share what they've learned about feline care to help all cats live happier, healthier lives.
Key tenets of their philosophy include:
Addressing Misinformation: The founders recognized that much of the readily available advice on cat care, from family, friends, and the internet, was "confusing and conflicting, or just plain wrong." Happy Cats Wellness aims to counter this by providing "accurate, science-based, and up-to-date information on feline health and wellness" distilled from "the most authoritative sources."
Preventive Care as a Cornerstone: Their approach centers on "preventive health care." They emphasize that neglecting a cat's needs can lead to stress, "behavior disorders," and subsequently "medical problems." By contrast, proactive care leads to "fewer unwanted behaviors" and "early recognition of illness or injury."
The "Cat Champion" Ethos: Happy Cats Wellness defines a "Cat Champion" as someone who "does what's right, not what's convenient." This commitment involves taking responsibility for a cat's health and happiness by creating a compassionate environment and acting as their "principal health-care advocate."

“Welcome to Happy Cats Wellness, where we help you keep your cat happy and healthy. We're Cathryn and Gene Jirlds, and we're certified pet preventive healthcare coaches. We are not veterinarians. Always consult your cat's medical provider when you have questions or concerns about your cat's health.”
From Happy Cats Wellness: Who We Are, 1 Nov 2025