How often do cats need to go to the vet?
The best way to help your cat enjoy a long, healthy life is to prevent serious illnesses or have health issues detected in their earliest stages, when they can be most easily treated.
Regularly bringing your cat to the vet offers your veterinarian a chance to monitor your feline friend's general health, check for the earliest signs of illness or disease, and offer you recommendations for preventive care products that meet your kitty's needs.
Our veterinary team at Diablo View Veterinary Medical Hospital understands the cost of routine checkups or other preventive care may be a concern when your kitty seems to be healthy. However, proactively approaching your cat's preventive healthcare can save you money on much more expensive treatments in the future.
What is a cat checkup?
You likely see your doctor once a year for a checkup. Taking your cat in to the vet for their annual wellness exam achieves a similar purpose. Just like with people, your cat's overall health, age, and lifestyle are critical factors when considering when and how often to take your cat to the vet.
We generally recommend scheduling annual wellness exams for cats that are in good health. However, kittens, senior cats, and cats with underlying health conditions may need to visit a veterinarian for a physical checkup on a more frequent basis.
How often do kittens need to go to the vet?
If your kitten is less than a year old, we recommend they visit the vet once a month, starting when they are about eight weeks old. Kittens need multiple rounds of vaccinations during their first year. The Feline Leukemia vaccine and the FVRCP vaccine help protect kittens against three highly contagious and life-threatening feline diseases: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FHV-1), Feline Calicivirus (FCV), and Feline Panleukopenia (FPL).
These vaccines will be administered over the course of approximately 16 weeks and will help your kitty live a healthy, happy life. The exact timing of your kitten's vaccinations will vary depending on your location (some diseases are more prevalent in certain geographic areas) and your furry friend's overall health.
Our vets recommend having your kitten neutered or spayed when they are between five and six months old to prevent a variety of diseases and undesirable behaviors, along with unwanted litters of kittens.
How often should middle-aged cats see a vet?
If your cat is between 1 and 10 years old and is healthy, we recommend booking an annual exam with your vet. These annual physical checkups are done when your cat seems completely healthy.
During your adult cat's routine exam, your veterinarian will perform a head-to-tail check to look for early signs of diseases or other health issues, such as joint pain, tooth decay, or parasites.
Your veterinarian will administer any vaccines or booster shots that may be required and discuss your cat's diet and nutritional needs with you. They will also recommend parasite protection products for your pet.
If your vet finds any signs of health issues emerging in your cat, they will explain their findings to you and recommend any next steps you may need to take.
How often should senior cats see a vet?
Cats are typically considered to be senior when they reach 11 years of age.
Since many disease that affect cats tend to be more common in ilder pets, we advise that you bring your senior cat in to see us every 6 months or so. Twice-yearly wellness check-ups for your geriatric cat will include all of the checks and advice listed above, but with a few additional diagnostic tests to obtain extra insights into your furry friend's overall health.
Some diagnostic tests we recommend for our senior patients include blood tests and urinalysis to check for early signs of problems such as kidney disease or diabetes.
Geriatric care for cats also includes more proactive and preventive care in order to keep your feline friend as comfortable as possible as they age and age-related conditions like joint pain become more common. If you have a senior cat, ask your vet how often you should bring them in for a checkup.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.