No matter how young or old your cat is, routine care will be vital for their ongoing health and wellbeing. Today, our New Ulm vets discuss the importance of routine exams and how often you should take your cat to the vet for checkups.
So how often do you take a cat to the vet?
To help keep your cat happy and healthy throughout their life, you will need to keep up with regular veterinary visits. When you bring your cat to the vet you allow the opportunity to monitor your kitty's overall well-being and physical health, watch for the earliest signs of disease, and offer recommendations for the preventive care products that would suit your feline friend best.
At our New Ulm animal hospital, our vets 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. With these routine exams, we can help you avoid the cost of more expensive visits later on to treat serious conditions that could have been spotted earlier with a wellness exam.
Cat Checkups at New Ulm Regional Veterinary Center
Routine wellness exams are essentially a veterinary physical checkup for your cat. The frequency with which your cat should visit the vet will depend on several factors including their health, age, and lifestyle.
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.
When should you bring your kitten to the vet?
If you have recently added a new kitten to your family you should prepare to bring them in each month until they reach a year 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 three highly contagious and life-threatening feline diseases, Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FHV-1) Feline Calicivirus (FCV), and Feline Panleukopenia (FPL).
Over the first 16 weeks of your kitten's life, they will receive these vaccinations. This will help provide them with a solid foundation for lifelong protection against various diseases.
Speak with your vet at New Ulm Regional Veterinary Center in New Ulm to determine the right wellness exam schedule for your new friend.
Our vets recommend having your kitten spayed or neutered when they are between five and six months old to prevent a host of diseases and undesirable behaviors as well as unwanted litters of kittens.
When to Take Your Adult Cat to the Vet
If you have a healthy adult cat, your vet will likely recommend bringing them once each year for a full examination. Your vet will check over your cat, and perform any necessary diagnostics, dental care, or testing needed.
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.
If your vet happens to spot any concerns they will share their findings and offer their recommendations on the next steps.
How often should you bring your senior cat to the vet?
Once your cat is a senior, around 11 years of age, they will have some new considerations when it comes to their care.
To do this, your vet will likely suggest that you bring your cat in every six 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.
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.
How can our team at New Ulm Regional Veterinary Center help care for your cat?
Your vet will be able to recommend a treatment plan that works best for your cat based on their specific needs.
Ultimately, following the advice of your vet can help to ensure that all of your cat's needs are being met. Routine care at New Ulm Regional Veterinary Center will be a vital part of keeping your feline friends safe and healthy while allowing your vet to monitor them for any potential conditions and issues that may arise.
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.