You have a cat and wish to ensure its longevity and well-being. Today, our veterinarians in Santa Clarita will clarify the frequency of routine vet visits for your cat's health maintenance.
How often do you take a cat to the vet?
Ensuring the longevity and well-being of your cat involves preventing severe illnesses or detecting them at an early, treatable stage.
Regular veterinary visits allow your vet to assess your cat's overall health, identify early disease indications, and suggest suitable preventive care measures.
Acknowledging the financial considerations surrounding routine check-ups and preventive care is essential, even when your cat seems healthy. However, being proactive in approaching your cat's health may reduce future expenses for more complex treatments.
What is a cat check-up?
Taking your cat to the vet for routine wellness exams is like bringing them to the doctor for a physical check-up. As with people, how often your cat should have a physical examination depends on their age, lifestyle, and overall health.
We usually recommend annual wellness exams for healthy adult cats, but kittens, senior cats, and kitties with underlying health issues should see their vet more frequently.
How often should kittens see a vet?
For kittens under one-year-old, it is advised to schedule monthly vet visits starting at around 8 weeks of age.
Kittens require multiple rounds of vaccinations throughout their first year to help protect them from common infectious diseases. Kittens should receive the Feline Leukemia vaccine as well as the FVRCP vaccine, which protects your feline friend from three highly contagious and potentially fatal feline diseases: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FHV-1), Feline Calicivirus (FCV), and Feline Panleukopenia (FPL).
These vaccines are administered to your kitten over approximately 16 weeks, promoting lifelong health.
The timing of your kitten's vaccinations may vary depending on your location and your cat's overall health.
Our veterinarians recommend spaying or neutering your kitten at 5 - 6 months to prevent various diseases, undesirable behaviors, and unwanted litters.
How often should middle-aged cats see a vet?
If you have a healthy adult cat between the ages of one and ten, we recommend bringing them in for an exam once a year. These exams are yearly physicals that should be completed even if your cat appears to be in perfect health.
During the routine exam, your veterinarian will conduct a comprehensive examination from head to tail to identify early signs of diseases or other concerns, including parasites, joint discomfort, or dental problems.
Your veterinarian will also provide your kitty with any required vaccines or booster shots, have a conversation with you about your cat's diet and nutritional requirements, as well as recommend the appropriate parasite protection products.
Should any health issues be identified, your vet will explain their observations and provide recommendations for further actions.
How often should senior cats see a vet?
Cats are typically considered to be 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 6 months. All of the checks and advice listed above will be included in your geriatric cat's twice-yearly wellness check-ups, along with a few additional diagnostic tests to gain additional insights into your furry friend's overall health.
These diagnostic tests for senior cats include blood tests and urinalysis, aimed at identifying early indications of conditions such as kidney disease and diabetes.
In caring for senior cats, it is essential to adopt a proactive approach, especially in addressing age-related issues like joint pain. If you have a senior cat, consult your vet to determine the appropriate frequency for routine exams.
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.