What is a cat diary, and why should you keep one? A cat diary can be a useful tool.

On one of our many vet visits for Misha and Tippy, our veterinarian suggested keeping a cat diary. I’d never heard of such a thing, but hey, how different could it be from a regular diary? It turned out to be really helpful.

What Is A Cat Diary?

A cat diary is a record of happenings in your cat’s life. It can be used to keep track of changes, health concerns, and more. You may have been asked some questions by your veterinarian that you don’t remember the answers to, such as:

• When did you first see these symptoms appear?
• How many times did this symptom occur?

If you have a goldfish memory like I do, it can be tough to remember. A cat diary is a record that can be incredibly useful for vet visits.

How To Keep A Cat Diary

You don’t need to write down every little thing; you only need to write down the important stuff. So what is the important stuff?

• Unusual behavior or symptoms (write these down as soon as you notice them)
• Dietary changes
• Illness
• Medication/supplement changes, as well as the start/end date of administering new medications
• Dates of vet visits, treatment plans, filing of pet insurance claims

If keeping track of dates isn’t your strong suit, consider getting a planner and writing events on the pre-printed dates.

How Do I Use A Cat Diary?

When your veterinarian asks you questions about your cat’s habits or symptoms, you can quickly and easily refer to the cat journal. You’ll be able to see the date and time that symptoms occurred, as well as events that may coincide with those symptoms.

For example, perhaps your cat started vomiting at mealtimes. You check your cat journal and find that you started a new food or supplement around the same time. This will help you and your vet determine the possible cause of your cat’s vomiting.

Where Can I Buy One?

I bought my “Cats & Coffee” journal from Target, but anywhere that sells journals and planners will do. If you want one with a cat design on it, try these cute cat journals:

• There Are No Ordinary Cats (paperback journal)
• The Cat Lady’s Creative Journal (paperback)
• Refillable Cat Leather Planner (hardcover)
• Colorful Cats Journal (hardcover)

You can also get these cute cat gel pens for writing in your new cat journal!

Have you ever used a cat diary? Has it helped you and your veterinarian? Let us know what you think of cat diaries in the comments section! We love a good chat.

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