How Often Should You Take Your Cat To The Vet?

The average person visits their doctor once every five years. If you want to ensure that your pet is healthy, then how often should you take your cat to the vet?

It’s important to get regular checkups from your veterinarian because they can spot problems before they become serious.

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They can provide vaccinations and other preventative care. Just like with humans at different times in our lives, cats also need different wellness checks during the different life stages. We take a look at how often you should take your furry friend to the vet.

How Often Should Kittens See The Vet?

Kittens still have a weak immune system and they need to see the vet more often than healthy adult cats. The vet will make sure that the kitten develops properly. Your kitten will also need a number of vaccinations at this early stage in their life.

As a rule of thumb, during their first year, kittens need to check in with the vet around 6 times. This is mainly because from 8 weeks of age, a kitten needs vaccinations every month until it is around 4 months old.

There are a number of vaccinations a kitten needs, including:

• Diphtheria (DT)
• Pertussis (DPT)
• Hepatitis B (HB)
• Parvovirus (CPV)
• Rabies (RAB)
• Feline Leukemia Virus

Depending on the type of vaccination and when they are due, you will need to stick to the vaccination schedule given by your vet. If you are unsure whether, or not, your kitten needs to be seen by the vet, ask your vet for advice.

You may also consider whether your kitten should be neutered or spayed.

Your vet can also insert a microchip under your cat’s skin, so that if they ever go missing, they can be identified.

How Often Should Adult Cats See The Vet?

Most adult cats only require one health check with their vet every year. This includes routine tests and a physical exam. It’s also recommended that all cats over 12 months old receive a yearly oral exam.

Your vet will also check your cat for any signs of illness, such as coughing or sneezing. If your cat has been ill recently, he or she will need to be kept away from other animals. Cats do not typically indicate when they are ill, so regular health checks during vet visits allow your vet to spot potential health issues before they become serious.

Similar to kittens, an adult cat will also need regular vaccinations and vaccine boosters to top up the vaccinations. These usually keep your cat safe from infectious diseases like Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and rabies.

Your vet will also check the weight of your cat. Weight is often a clear indicator of disease, so when your cat’s weight changes, there might be something wrong with your furry friend.

You may also want to discuss any behavioral issues or other concerns around your animal with the vet during the annual checkup.

How Often Should Senior Cats See The Vet?

As a cat gets older, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your cat is getting frail. In fact, many cats live well into their teens. However, there are some things that you should watch out for as your cat gets older. These include changes in behavior, vision, and hearing. It is important to pay attention to these changes and get them checked out by the vet.

Many senior cats begin to lose their sight towards the end of their lives. As a result, your cat may start losing interest in food and water. This can lead to dehydration and malnutrition. When this happens, your cat can develop other conditions which could affect different organs of the cat’s body.

Depending on the different medical conditions your aging cat develops over time, pet owners should plan for regular visits to the vet. Typically, vets recommend veterinary visits twice a year for cats older than seven, even if your cat does not show any signs of disease. More frequent vet visits means that any age-related diseases can be spotted early, and treated much earlier.

How Often Should Pregnant Cats See The Vet?

Pregnancy is a very exciting time for both the cat and the pet owner. However, it is also a stressful period for the kitty. As a result, pregnant cats may have a harder time keeping healthy. They may experience weight loss, vomiting and diarrhea. If you notice any of these symptoms in your pregnant cat, then it is best to visit your vet immediately.

There are certain precautions that you can take to ensure that your cat stays healthy throughout her pregnancy. First, make sure that your cat is eating enough. You can feed your cat high quality canned foods to help her stay strong.

Make sure that your expecting cat is still active. This includes playing games with your cat and taking walks outside.

Generally, a pregnant cat doesn’t need additional veterinary care unless there is something wrong, so keep a close eye on your cat at this time of her life. You may also want to discuss with your vet how you can prepare for the birth of the kittens.

Symptoms You Should Watch Out For?

The most common reason why people bring their pets to the veterinarian is because they suspect that something is wrong with their pet.

If you notice any below symptoms then you may want to contact your vet:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Depression
• Weight Loss
• Fever
• Sudden change in appetite
• Any unusual behaviors

Your vet will examine your cat and perform various tests to determine what is causing your cat’s health problems.

How Often Should You Take Your Cat To The Vet?

Your cat deserves to live a long and happy life. In order to ensure this, you should take your feline friend to see a vet at least once a year. Different times in their lives, cats need different vet care. However, if you notice anything unusual about your pet, then it is always best to speak to your vet about it.

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