We all want our cats to live long, healthy lives, right? Just like humans, cats need regular examinations to maintain their health.
It doesn’t matter whether your cat is a playful kitten or a senior cat that is starting to slow down – regular examinations by a veterinarian are important.
Let’s explore how often your cat should visit the vet and why it is so important for their health at any stage of life.
We will be covering the following:
- How often cats should visit the vet at all stages of their life
- The important health checks and vaccinations they need
- Urgent health care signs, and when we need to get the cat to the vet
- Ways to minimize the stress caused when taking your cat to the vet
- Budgeting for lifelong care for your cat.
Number of Vet Visits in a Cat’s Lifetime
Checking how often you need to visit the vet with your cat will depend on several factors, including breed, age, lifestyle, and health.
For example, outdoor cats are more likely to experience accidents or infections because of their lifestyle, so they may need more frequent visits to the vet than indoor cats.
Although indoor cats may live longer, this doesn’t mean they don’t need regular checkups from a vet to prevent unwanted health issues from emerging.
How often your cat sees the vet will depend on:
- Age (kitten, adult, senior)
- Lifestyle (indoor, outdoor)
- Breed & Health History (certain breeds are susceptible to specific conditions)
As a general rule:
- At least once a year for healthy adult cats
- More frequent visits for kittens and seniors & those cats with health issues
All cats, regardless of age or lifestyle, should have at least one annual vet visit to make sure they stay healthy, but here we will discuss how to check the frequency by life stage.
Year-by-Year Recommendations for Cat Checkups
Kittenhood (0–1 Year): Frequent Checkups & Vaccinations
Kittens grow rapidly and require careful consideration to ensure proper development. For their first year of life, they will need to go to the vet every 3-4 weeks.
It may seem like a lot of appointments, but it is important that your vet sees your kitten for vaccinations and parasite treatments and gives you the latest growth checks.
Kittens will require monthly vet visits during their first year of life for:
- Core vaccinations (FVRCP, rabies, feline leukemia)
- Deworming & parasite prevention (fleas, ticks, and worms)
- Spaying/Neutering (usually at 5-6 months)
- Nutrition & Growth monitoring
Vaccination schedule:
- 6-8 weeks: Kitten’s first FVRCP shot for shielding against feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline distemper, and panleukopenia.
- 10-12 weeks: Booster shots.
- 14-16 weeks: Final kitten booster shots and rabies vaccine.
Spaying or neutering should also be planned during this time, which can happen between 5 and 6 months. Spaying or neutering is beneficial for eliminating unwanted litter and reducing health problems later on.
Early Adulthood (1–5 Years): Annual Wellness Exams and Preventive Care
However, once a cat turns one year old, it is officially an adult cat. During this stage, cats need to visit the vet each year for a full wellness exam.
Even if your cat appears healthy, an annual wellness exam is important. During the exam, your vet should check for early signs of health issues and determine whether your cat’s vaccinations are current.
An adult healthy cat should visit the vet annually for:
- Physical exam (weight, coat, teeth, heart, lungs)
- Vaccine boosters (if needed)
- Dental exam checkups (to help prevent gum disease)
- Parasite control (year-round flea & tick prevention)
Healthy adult cats will typically only require annual veterinarian visits.
However, your vet will also look at things like dental health (cats easily get dental issues) and recommend parasite prevention, which could include flea, tick, and worm control.
This is important because if we can prevent small issues, then we do not have to deal with bigger issues later.
Prime Adulthood (5–10 Years): Regular Checkups and Disease Screening
When your cat reaches middle age, routine health checkups will become increasingly important.
This won’t change your yearly exams, but at this point, your veterinarian may start to see if there are early signs of chronic health problems (kidney disease, thyroid dysfunction, or arthritis).
This is a very sneaky time for chronic health problems – they often go unnoticed because the signs and symptoms can sometimes be subtle. Catching these problems early can be very beneficial.
Cats in Middle-age should continue with annual checkups, but in addition to the physical exam, your vet may recommend:
- Blood testing (probably kidney, liver, or possibly thyroid function testing)
- Urinalysis (to check for diabetes or kidney disease)
- Blood pressure check (hypertension is a relatively common problem in geriatric cats)
- Dental cleanings (if there are clear signs of tartar or gum disease)
Your veterinarian may want to see you for a basic dental cleaning since dental disease is common in cats at this age. Don’t forget, oral health is essential for your cat’s health and wellbeing!
Senior Cats (10+ Years): Bi-Annual Vet Visits
When your cat reaches age 10, it will be formally considered a senior pet. The most important thing is that your senior cat will need to consult the vet more often (every 6 months at the very least).
At this point in your cat’s life, the vet will perform a more thorough evaluation than at one year, including blood tests, urinalysis, and blood pressure readings to check for common, age-related diseases like kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, or high blood pressure.
Older cats should have checkups every 6 months to assess for:
- Arthritis & mobility difficulties
- Weight loss/gain (which can be a sign of thyroid or kidney problems)
- Dementia or cognitive decline
- Heart and organ function (to help with the early detection of chronic diseases)
You can also expect the vet to use these checkup appointments to look for any signs of degeneration in joint health, as arthritis can flare up in older cats.
Scheduling regular checkups can help your senior pet feel as comfortable as possible and help manage age-related issues proactively.
Taking a Proactive Approach to Your Cat’s Health
Because cats cannot tell us when something’s wrong, it’s important to keep track of them. Regular vet visits not only help establish a routine but are also helpful in observing any changes in their behavior and routine.
Signs Your Cat’s Requires Immediate Visits to the Vet
Even with routine checkups, it’s important to keep an eye out for any sudden changes that may indicate a serious health concern for your cat.
Cats are masters at masking pain, so noticing symptoms early can make all the difference. Make sure to look out for these warning signs:
Sudden Weight Loss or Weight Gain
A sudden and unprecedented change in your cat’s weight (without an apparent reason, such as a diet change) can signify something much more serious. Conditions such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or even cancer can cause weight loss or gain in felines.
Lethargy or Increased Amount of Hiding
If your cat has generally had a good disposition or is playful and suddenly becomes unusually tired or hides more often, it could be in pain or unwell. Behaviors and habits can change when cats experience infections, injuries, or serious internal problems.
Vomiting or Diarrhea Lasting 24 Hours or More
It’s not unusual for cats to vomit occasionally. However, if your cat vomits for a long time or has been vomiting and having diarrhea for more than 24 hours, that can signify poisoning, infections, or digestive issues that require urgent medical attention.
Bad or difficult urination or blood in urine
Straining to urinate, crying out while using the litter box, or seeing blood in your cat’s urine are very serious red flags to look for vis-à-vis urinary tract infections, blockages, or kidney problems that may become lethal if left untreated.
Bad breathing and drooling
When a cat has bad breath, drooling, and difficulty even eating, this could be an indication of tooth or dental disease (not difficult), an infection (again, not difficult), or possibly kidney or other organ failure. While dental disease is painful for all those involved, it is especially painful for your cat and can compromise your cat’s overall health.
Limping or difficulty jumping
If your cat suddenly has trouble jumping onto the couch or getting around the house or outside very well, this could be a sign of arthritis, injuries, or possibly neurological problems. Getting your cat diagnosed early will give your pet the best chance to live comfortably with the least pain and mobility loss.
Pro Tip:
Cats have an instinct to hide signs of illness. Therefore, even the most gentle behavior changes, like unexplained aggression, clinginess, withdrawal, or excessive verbalization, should not be ignored; they may be their way of letting you know something is wrong.
If you’re unsure, it’s always better to be safe than sorry and contact your veterinarian. The sooner you act, the quicker your cat will recover and be happier and healthier.
Understanding Typical Health Problems in Cats by Age
- Young Cats: Kittens are full of energy, but they can also wind up in accidents or encounter health conditions associated with growing, including developmental issues or infections. Regular checkups will ensure you’ll catch the problems before they become big.
- Older Cats: As your cat ages, they may develop chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, or kidney disease. Senior cats are also at risk for dental disease or weight problems, and keeping up with vet visits is important to manage their comfort and health.
Observing Changes in Behavior, Appetite, and Litter Box Habits
Even with regular vet checkups, you should pay attention to any behavior changes in your cat. If they suddenly lack interest in their food, refuse to use the litter box properly or become lethargic, these may all be indications of a health problem. The sooner they go to the vet, the better!
Early Detection and Prompt Veterinary Attention
Consistent vet visits are great because they often identify health issues before they advance. Many serious medical conditions (like kidney disease or hyperthyroidism) can be managed if caught early. This is why keeping your cat’s yearly checkups on time is important; it allows your vet to identify problems before they become costly or dangerous.
Similarly, dental health needs early intervention. Cats can experience painful dental decay, and neglected dental health issues can lead to infection or even organ damage. Do not skip yearly cleanings!
How to Prepare Your Cat Before a Vet Visit
For a lot of cats, going to the vet can be a stressful experience. But don’t worry! There are things you can do to help make the trip smoother for both you and your cat.
- Get your cat familiar with the carrier: Keep the carrier out all the time so your cat can become familiar with it. You can even feed your cat inside the carrier to make it a positive place for them.
- Stress of the car ride: If your cat gets stressed in the car, try to keep the car ride as uneventful as possible. You can play soft music in the car and cover the carrier with a light blanket.
- Stay calm: Cats are very aware of our emotional states and can sense our stress. If you remain calm, your cat is more likely to follow suit.
Budgeting for Lifelong Vet Visits
Vet visits can add up over the years, especially if your cat requires special care or treatments.
You can plan ahead in many different ways to alleviate some of the expenses associated with a vet visit. Consider putting aside a little money each month for vet visits. If it helps, you can look into pet insurance and cover some of the emergency costs you incur.
Remember that preventative care can save you money. By taking your cat to the vet regularly, you can catch issues sooner and not pay for expensive treatments because you waited until it was too late.
Conclusion
Taking care of your cat’s health is a life-long commitment, and vet visits are one of the most important parts of keeping your cat happy and healthy! Whether you’re raising a lively kitten, a playful adult cat, or an elderly regal cat, routine checkups with the vet will give you an excellent opportunity to see how your cat is doing and address any emerging health issues before they become crucial.
So, keep those appointments for your furry friends, and you can expect many more happy years of purring, hugs, and snuggles!
