You adore your cat and want to ensure they live a long, healthy life with you. Today, our Brodheadsville veterinarians explain the frequency of routine check-ups and preventive care for your feline friend.
How often do you take a cat to the vet?
To ensure your kitty's long and healthy life, it's best to prevent serious illnesses or catch them early when they are more easily treated.
Regular vet visits allow your veterinarian to monitor your cat's overall well-being and physical health, look for the earliest signs of disease, and recommend preventive care products that best suit your feline friend.
We understand that the potential cost of routine check-ups and preventive care can be a concern, especially if your cat appears to be in good health.
However, taking a proactive, preventive approach to your cat's health may save you money on more expensive treatments down the road.
What is a cat check-up?
It's important to take your cat to the vet for routine wellness exams, which are like physical check-ups for humans. The frequency of these exams depends on your cat's age, lifestyle, and overall health.
Generally, healthy adult cats should have annual wellness exams. However, kittens, senior cats, and cats with underlying health issues should see their vet more often.
How often should kittens see a vet?
If your kitten is less than a year old, we recommend taking them to the vet once a month starting when they are about eight weeks old. Kittens need multiple rounds of vaccinations during their first year to protect them from common infectious diseases.
They should receive the Feline Leukemia vaccine and the FVRCP vaccine, which protects them from three highly contagious and potentially fatal feline diseases: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FHV-1), Feline Calicivirus (FCV), and Feline Panleukopenia (FPL).
These vaccines will be given over approximately 16 weeks to help keep your kitten healthy for life. The exact timing of the vaccinations will depend on your location and your kitten's overall health.
Our vets recommend having your kitten spayed or neutered when they are between 5 and 6 months old to prevent diseases, undesirable behaviours, and unwanted litters of kittens.
How often should middle-aged cats see a vet?
If you have a healthy adult cat aged between one and ten, we recommend bringing them in for an annual exam. These exams are yearly check-ups that should be done even if your cat seems to be perfectly healthy.
During your adult cat's routine exam, your vet will conduct a thorough head-to-tail examination to check for early signs of diseases or other issues, such as parasites, joint pain, or tooth decay.
Your veterinarian will also administer any necessary vaccines or booster shots for your cat, discuss your cat's diet and nutritional needs with you, and recommend suitable parasite protection products.
If your vet identifies any signs of a health issue, they will explain their findings and recommend the next steps.
How often should senior cats see a vet?
Cats are typically considered senior when they reach 11 years of age. Because many feline diseases and injuries are more common in senior cats, we recommend taking your senior companion to the vet every six months.
All the checks and advice listed above will be included in your geriatric cat's twice-yearly wellness check-ups and a few additional diagnostic tests to gain more 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 a more proactive approach to keeping your feline companion comfortable as age-related issues such as joint pain become more common. If you have a senior cat, ask your vet how often you should bring your pet for a routine exam.
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.