Cats have become the most popular pet in America, with 86 million feline family members representing. So how come only half of them saw a veterinarian last year?

While 20 percent of dogs missed checkups in 2015, a whopping 45 percent of cats did the same. Why the big discrepancy?

For starters, cats are great at hiding health problems. They seem self-sufficient, but in the wild they’re prey to larger animals — and any display of weakness could alert a predator.

In addition, cats often develop signs of illness so slowly that family members may not even notice. It might take an annual veterinary visit to detect problems.

Cats need routine checkups, vaccinations and teeth cleanings, just like their canine counterparts do. So don’t let a year go by without “vetting” your feline friend.