Your feline friend holds a special place in your heart. You want to do everything possible to keep them healthy and happy for years to come. Our veterinarians in Clovis can guide you on the frequency of routine check-ups and preventive care that your cat needs.
How often do you take a cat to the vet?
The key to ensuring your cat's health and happiness is to detect and prevent serious illnesses early on when they are most treatable. By bringing your furry companion to the vet, you allow your vet to monitor their overall well-being, identify early signs of emerging diseases, and recommend preventive care products tailored to your cat's needs.
At Family Pet Hospital, we understand that the expense of regular check-ups and preventive care can be daunting, particularly if your cat seems to be in good health. However, being proactive and preventive in your approach to your cat's health could save you from having to pay for pricier treatments down the line.
What is a cat check-up?
Bringing your cat in to see us for a routine wellness exam 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 generally recommend that you bring your healthy adult cat in to see us once each year for an annual wellness exam. However, when it comes to kittens, senior cats, or cats with underlying health conditions, you should bring them in to see us much more frequently.
How often should kittens see a vet?
If your cat is less than 1 year old, we advise that you bring them into our office at least once each month. Their first veterinary appointment should take place when they are around 8 weeks (or two months) old.
Throughout their first year, kittens require 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 cute little kitten will need to receive their necessary vaccinations over a period of approximately 16 weeks. This will help maintain their good health throughout their life. The exact schedule for your cat's vaccinations may vary based on where you live and their overall well-being.
To prevent various diseases and unwanted behaviors, as well as unwanted litters of kittens, our veterinarians suggest having your kitten spayed or neutered between the ages of 5 to 6 months.
How often should middle-aged cats see a vet?
If you have a healthy adult cat between the ages of 1 and 10, it's recommended that you schedule a yearly check-up with us. Our routine exams are designed to ensure that your cat is in good health. During the exam, your vet will conduct a thorough head-to-tail examination to detect any early signs of diseases or other potential issues, such as joint pain, parasites, or tooth decay.
Your veterinarian will also administer any required vaccines or booster shots and discuss your cat's diet and nutritional needs. We'll suggest suitable products and treatments to prevent parasites. If any health issues are identified, your vet will explain the findings and recommend the most appropriate next steps.
How often should senior cats see a vet?
Cats are typically considered to be senior when they reach 11 years of age.
Since many cat injuries and disease will tend to be more common in older pets, we advise that you bring your feline friend in to see our Clovis vets every 6 months or so. 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 of the diagnostic tests that we recommend for our senior cat patients include blood tests and urinalysis in order to check for the early signs of issues like 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.
