You love your cat, and you want to ensure that they live a long, healthy life with you. Today, our Las Vegas vets explain when you should take a cat to the vet for routine checkups and preventive care.
How often do you take a cat to the vet?
To ensure your kitty enjoys a long and healthy life, it is crucial to prevent serious illnesses or detect them early for easier treatment.
Regularly taking your cat to the vet allows your veterinarian to closely monitor your kitty's overall wellbeing and physical health. They can also keep an eye out for any early signs of disease and provide recommendations for the most suitable preventive care products for your feline friend.
We know that you might be worried about the cost of regular checkups and preventive care, especially if your cat seems to be healthy. By being proactive and taking preventive measures for your cat or kitten's health, you can potentially save money on costly treatments in the future.
What is a cat checkup?
Taking your cat to the vet for routine wellness exams is like bringing them to the doctor for a physical checkup. 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 a year old, it's recommended to take them to the vet every month, starting at around 8 weeks old.
Multiple rounds of vaccinations are necessary for kittens during their first year to provide protection against common infectious diseases. Make sure to give your kittens the Feline Leukemia vaccine along with the FVRCP vaccine. This will safeguard your feline companion against three extremely contagious and potentially deadly feline diseases: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FHV-1), Feline Calicivirus (FCV), and Feline Panleukopenia (FPL).
We will administer these vaccines to your kitten throughout a span of around 16 weeks, ensuring their long-term health and well-being.
The timing of your kitten's vaccinations will depend on where you live and the health of your furry friend.
Our vets suggest spaying or neutering your kitten at around 5 - 6 months old to prevent various diseases, undesirable behaviors, and the birth of unwanted litters of kittens.
How often should middle-aged cats see a vet?
For a healthy adult cat between the ages of one and ten, it is recommended to schedule an annual exam. It is important to complete these yearly physical exams for your cat, even if they seem to be in perfect health.
During your adult cat's routine exam, your vet will conduct a thorough examination from head to tail. This helps to identify any early signs of diseases or issues, including parasites, joint pain, or tooth decay.
Your veterinarian will give your kitty the necessary vaccines or booster shots, discuss your cat's diet and nutritional needs with you, and suggest the right parasite protection products.
Your vet will inform you of any signs of a health issue they detect and provide recommendations for the next steps.
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.
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.
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.