While most of your time with your cat will be spent cuddling and interacting with them, there will be times when you need to focus on their health care. Today, our Orange vets talk about how often you'll need to take your cat to the vet during each stage of their life.
How often do you take a cat to the vet?
Routine veterinary care is a critical part of caring for a cat. When you bring your cat to the vet you allow the opportunity to monitor your kitty's overall well-being and physical health, watch for the earliest signs of disease, and offer recommendations for the preventive care products that would suit your feline friend best.
At Vet4HealthyPet we understand that the potential cost of routine checkups and preventive care can be a concern, especially if your feline friend seems to be in perfect health. These routine visits can help your vet to spot any health concerns and treat them swiftly avoiding complicated and costly treatment down the road.
What is a cat checkup?
Routine wellness exams for our cat can be compared to a physical checkup for you. The frequency with which your cat should visit the vet will depend on a number of factors including their health, age and lifestyle.
So when should you take your cat to the vet? We typically recommend annual wellness exams for healthy adult cats, but kittens, senior cats, and kitties with underlying health conditions should see their vet more frequently for an examination.
How often do kittens need to go to the vet?
From the time that your kitten is eight weeks old all the way up to one year, they should see the vet on a monthly basis.
Throughout their first year, kittens need multiple rounds of vaccinations to help protect them from common infectious diseases. Kittens should get the Feline Leukemia vaccine and the FVRCP vaccine which helps protect your feline friend from three highly contagious and life-threatening feline diseases, Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FHV-1) Feline Calicivirus (FCV), and Feline Panleukopenia (FPL).
Over the first 16 weeks of your kitten's life, they will receive these vaccinations. This will help provide them with a solid foundation for lifelong protection against various diseases.
The exact timing of your kitten's vaccinations will vary depending on your location and the overall health of your furry friend.
Our vets recommend having your kitten spayed or neutered when they are between five and six months old in order to prevent a host of diseases and undesirable behaviors as well as unwanted litters of kittens.
When to Take an Adult Cat to the Vet
When your cat is between the ages of one and ten, you should schedule them for yearly vet checkups. These examinations are yearly physical checkups that should be completed even when your cat seems to be perfectly healthy.
Throughout your adult cat's routine exam, your vet will implement a head-to-tail examination to look for early signs of diseases or other issues, such as parasites, joint pain, or tooth decay.
Your veterinarian will also provide your kitty with any required vaccines or booster shots, and have a conversation with you about your cat's diet and nutritional requirements, as well as recommend the appropriate parasite protection products.
If your vet detects any signs of a health issue, they will explain their findings and recommend the next steps.
How often do senior cats need to go to the vet?
Senior cats are considered to be any cat that is over the age of 11.
Since many cat diseases and injuries tend to be more common in older pets we recommend bringing your senior companion to the vet every 6 months. 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 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 in for a routine exam.
The Importance of Veterinary Care
When you are asking yourself 'How often should you take a cat to the vet?' you now know that this will depend on the age of your cat and the state of their health.
Ultimately, following the advice of your vet can help to ensure that all of your cat's needs are being met. Routine care will be a vital part of keeping your feline friend safe and healthy while allowing your vet to monitor them for any potential conditions and issues that may arise.
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.