We know you love your cat and would do everything you can to help them live a happy, healthy life. Today, our vets in Orlando explain how often you should take your cat to the vet for a routine exam and preventive care.
Preventive Care & Early Diagnosis
By catching serious health conditions and illnesses early or preventing them altogether, you can help make sure your cat has a healthy, long, and happy life.
When you bring your cat to see your vet regularly, your veterinarian will have the chance to check on your feline friend's general health and thoroughly examine them for early signs of disease, then offer recommendations for preventive care that would best suit your kitty.
Our vets understand that you might need to keep close tabs on the cost of your cat's routine checkups and preventive care.
That said, taking them to the vet when they're in optimal health is one way you can take a proactive approach to your pet's healthcare, potentially saving fees if health issues are detected early since that's when they're most easily treated. Many pet owner has saved funds because a health condition was caught early enough that other, more expensive treatments could be avoided months or years down the line.
Routine Wellness Exams - Cat Checkups
Similar to how humans should see a doctor once a year for a physical checkup, taking your cat to the vet for routine wellness exams is an important part of their healthcare. Your veterinarian can determine how often your pet should come in based on their overall health, age, and lifestyle.
Typically, adult cats will need annual wellness exams, but kitties with underlying health issues, kittens, and senior cats should see their vet for an examination more frequently.
Kittens Up to 12 Months of Age
If your kitty is less than a year old then we suggest bringing them to the vet once a month, with their first veterinary appointment taking place when they are approximately 8 weeks 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 kitty will be provided with these vaccines over approximately 16 weeks which will go a long way in helping to keep them healthy their whole life.
The exact timing of your cat's vaccinations will vary depending on your location and the overall health of your furry friend.
Our vets recommend having your kitten spayed or neutered when they are between 5 - 6 months to prevent a host of diseases and undesirable behaviors as well as unwanted litters of kittens.
Adult Cats Up To 10 Years Old
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 are completed 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.
If your vet detects any signs of an arising health issue they will explain their findings to you and recommend the next steps.
Senior Cats
Your kitty is officially considered a senior cat when they turn 11 years old.
Since many cat diseases and injuries tend to be more common in older pets we 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.
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.
