If you’re a cat parent, consider five reasons to make veterinary wellness visits a key part of your kitty’s care.

First, cats are pros at hiding problems, but veterinarians can spot even subtle abnormalities. That brings us to reason two, which is detecting small problems before they become big ones.

Reasons three and four involve obesity and dental disease. Over half of all cats have a weight problem, which increases their risks of developing other conditions. And periodontal disease — that is, disease of the mouth’s soft tissues — is even more common, often resulting in pain, a poor appetite and more.

Finally, cats age faster than we do so each examination covers more ground. This means the most when your cat becomes a senior.

So, take five and learn the importance of preventative visits for your feline friend.