How Often Do You Take A Cat To The Vet? Complete Guide & Tips

A crucial component of preventative care is taking your cat to the veterinarian. Who wouldn’t want to assist their feline buddy to have a better chance of living a longer and happier life?

You may be shocked to find that, in contrast to dog owners, who reported seeing a veterinarian 90% of the time, just 40% of cat owners reported doing the same.

While they may be more independent and self-sufficient than their canine counterparts, cats nevertheless need frequent appointments with the vet, which may have you wondering how often do you take a cat to the vet?

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommends that all pets, including cats and dogs, have a wellness examination at least once each year.

However, the frequency of your cat’s trips to the doctor might change depending on their age, surroundings, way of life, and pre-existing medical issues, among other things.

How Often Do You Take A Cat To The Vet?

Preventing major diseases or catching them early when they are more treatable is the greatest approach to ensure that your cat has a long and healthy life.

Regular visits to the vet allow your cat’s doctor to keep an eye on your cat’s general well-being and physical health, look out for early illness symptoms, and propose the preventative care items that would benefit your feline companion the most.

Even if your feline buddy seems to be in excellent condition, we know that the expense of regular exams and preventative treatment may be a worry.

On the other hand, if you take a proactive, preventative approach to your cat or kitten’s health, you may be able to avoid paying for later, more costly procedures.

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What Is A Cat Examination?

Regular wellness examinations at the vet are similar to physicals at the doctor for your cat.

The age, lifestyle, and general state of health of your cat will determine how often it needs a medical checkup, just as with humans.

For adult cats in good health, we typically advise yearly wellness checkups, but kittens, older cats, and cats with underlying medical conditions should see the vet more regularly.

When Should Kittens See The Vet?

We advise taking your cat to the vet once a month beginning when they are around 8 weeks old if they are less than a year.

Kittens need many rounds of vaccines over the course of their first year to help safeguard them against prevalent infectious illnesses.

Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FHV-1), Feline Calicivirus (FCV), and Feline Panleukopenia are three extremely infectious and possibly deadly feline illnesses that kittens should be protected against with the FVRCP vaccination in addition to the Feline Leukemia vaccine (FPL).

These vaccinations will be given to your kitten over a period of around 16 weeks, which will go a long way towards keeping them healthy their whole lives.

Depending on your location and the general health of your furry companion, the precise timing of your kitten’s vaccines may change.

Our veterinarians advise getting your cat spayed or neutered between the ages of 5 and 6 months in order to avoid a variety of illnesses, unpleasant habits, and unwelcome litters of kittens.

How Often Should Older Cats See The Vet?

We advise bringing your healthy adult cat in for a checkup once a year if it is between the ages of one and ten. Even if your cat seems to be in excellent condition, it should nevertheless get these annual physicals.

During the standard checkup of your adult cat, your veterinarian will do a head-to-tail examination to check for any early indications of illnesses or other problems, such as parasites, joint discomfort, or tooth decay.

Also, your vet will give your cat any necessary vaccinations or booster doses, talk with you about your cat’s food and nutritional needs, and suggest the best parasite control options.

If your veterinarian notices any symptoms of a health problem, they will inform you of their findings and suggest a course of action.

How Often Should Old Cats See The vet?

At the age of 11, cats are often regarded as senior citizens.

We advise sending your senior cat to the vet every 6 months since many feline ailments and injuries are more prevalent in older cats.

Your elderly cat will undergo all of the above-mentioned examinations and recommendations during its twice-yearly wellness exams.

In addition to a few extra diagnostic procedures to learn more about the general health of your furry buddy.

We advise blood testing and urinalysis for our older patients to look for early indicators of conditions like renal disease or diabetes.

When age-related conditions like joint discomfort grow more prevalent, geriatric care for cats also involves a more proactive strategy for maintaining your feline friend’s comfort.

Ask your veterinarian how often you should bring your cat in for regular checkups if you have an older cat.

Note:

“Please take note that the material on this page is for informative purposes only and does not represent medical advice for animals. Please schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for a precise diagnosis of your pet’s illness”.

Why Seeing The Vet Is Essential For Your Cat?

The benefits of continuing your cat’s regular veterinarian treatment are many.

Every veterinarian appointment will involve a physical examination, which may aid your doctor in finding problems with your cat’s skin, teeth, or even masses.

During vet appointments, external parasites like fleas, ticks, or ear mites may also be identified and treated.

Vaccinations and yearly health exams should always be kept up to date even if your cat is an indoor companion (which includes a physical exam, blood work and a faecal test).

Your veterinarian will be able to identify any anomalies quickly and early with the use of routine diagnostics like these, allowing for the initiation of the proper drugs or therapies.

Also, regular vaccinations can keep your cat immune to and protected from fatal diseases like rabies. Furthermore, remember to take your monthly heartworm, parasite, flea, and tick preventives!

How Often Do Cats Get Vaccinations?

Several levels of veterinary care are required at different periods of life.

As kittens need booster doses for their immunisations more often until they build a strong enough immunity, they will see the clinic more frequently.

A kitten will get its first dose of the FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis Calicivirus Panleukopenia) vaccination between the ages of 6 and 8 weeks.

The feline distemper shot is another name for this combination vaccination. It must be boosted for a total of three injections, three to four weeks later, then three to four weeks after that.

When the last dosage is given, these immunisations continue to work for a year. Kittens will also get their first rabies immunisation at 13 and 16 weeks of age.

If your kitten will spend any time outside, your doctor could also suggest vaccinating it against feline leukaemia.

Feline leukaemia can only be spread from cat to cat and cannot be spread to humans, thus it is possible for an outside cat to come into touch with another cat who is afflicted at some point.

After your kitten has finished all of its vaccines, it will be spayed or neutered (around 6 months of age).

At this time, a monthly flea, tick, and parasite preventative should start being given, and faeces tests to check for intestinal parasites will also be done at the vet’s office.

After being spayed or neutered and receive all of their immunisations, your cat should not need to see a veterinarian again until their annual checkup.

When your cat has had its first doses of the FVRCP and rabies vaccines, your veterinarian could suggest a three-year version of those shots.

Despite this, adult cats still need to be examined annually to find any hidden health problems. A sample of your cat’s faeces should still be checked annually even if it never goes outside.

It is advised to move up the frequency of your cat’s veterinarian exams to every six months after it reaches the age of seven.

Frequent health examinations are essential because, like ageing humans, senior cats may have unexpected and unforeseen medical concerns.

Basic blood tests should be performed yearly to check for any metabolic issues and assess the condition of your organs.

If your cat is ever diagnosed with a disease or a chronic condition, your veterinarian may advise a different annual examination or vaccination schedule for them.

How To Visit The Vet With Your Cat?

There are a few things you can do to help the trip to the vet go more easily, even if it’s not always easy to take a cat there:

• Make sure your cat has a comfortable carrier.

It should be spacious enough for them to fit comfortably, but not so huge that they feel exposed or jostled about the whole journey.

For a few weeks prior to the visit, the crate should be kept open at home so that your cat can become acquainted with the equipment.

You may put their favourite toy or an article of clothing that smells like you in the carrier with them, or you can tempt them into it with some catnip or goodies.

• Sprays with pheromones are also another option for soothing effects.

Moreover, attach the cage to the floor between the front and back seats to stop your cat from being moved about while the vehicle is in motion.

If you can, give your cat some medicine in advance. If your pet is a scaredy cat, talk to your vet when making an appointment about your concerns.

Before the whole operation, there are medications that might assist calm them down.

• Choose a time when it will be quiet to have the meeting.

Make an appointment for your cat at the vet’s office or hospital during a less-busy period, such as mid-morning or early afternoon.

Also, you might ask for a quiet exam room or the calmest time of day.

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