Routine wellness exams are crucial for the ongoing health and care of your feline friend but do you know how often they need these vet visits? Today, the vets at our Arlington animal hospital discuss how often you should take your cat to the vet for routine wellness exams and preventive care such as vaccines.
When should your cat see a vet?
By bringing your cat into the vet for regular checkups you allow your veterinarian in Arlington the opportunity to monitor your kitty for any signs of possible illness, injuries or disease as well as offer recommendations for cat care products and therapies to help your cat live the best and healthiest life possible.
At Crossroads Animal Clinic 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. However, taking a proactive, preventive approach to your cat or kitten's health could save you the cost of more expensive treatments down the road.
What is the purpose of a cat wellness exam?
A cat wellness exam is quite similar to a human routine doctor visit. As with people, how often your cat should have a physical examination depends on their age, lifestyle, and overall health.
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 should you take your kitten to the vet?
If your kitty is less than a year old, then our Arlington vets suggest bringing them to the vet once monthly starting when they are approximately 8 weeks old.
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 3 highly contagious and life-threatening feline diseases, Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FHV-1) Feline Calicivirus (FCV), and Feline Panleukopenia (FPL).
Your kitten will be provided with these vaccines over the course of approximately 16 weeks, which will go a long way in helping to keep them healthy their whole life.
The frequency of visits and vaccines will depend on your cat. Speak with your vet to get a better idea of what schedule you should follow.
Our vets recommend having your kitten spayed or neutered when they are between 5 - 6 months in order to prevent a host of diseases and undesirable behaviors as well as unwanted litters of kittens.
How often should you take your cat to the vet when they are an adult?
If you have a healthy adult cat between 1 - 10 years old, we recommend taking them in once a year for an exam. 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.
On the off chance that your vet detects a possible issue, they will offer a plan for the next steps to take for the treatment of your feline friend's concerns.
How often should you bring your older cat to the vet?
Cats are typically considered to be senior when they reach 11 years of age.
Since many cat diseases and injuries tend to be more common in older pets our veterinarians in Arlington 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.
Senior cats should undergo routine diagnostics such as blood work and urinalysis which can help to diagnose and monitor conditions affecting their vital organs and bodily functions.
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.