Routine exams and preventive care are vital to the lifelong health of your feline friend. Here, our vets in Brookhaven answer the question, 'How often do you take a cat to the vet?' and what you can expect during their wellness checkup.
Vet Checkups for Cats & Kittens
Regularly scheduled veterinary visits can help ensure your cat's health. These visits allow the vet to monitor your cat's overall well-being and physical health, detect signs of disease early, and provide recommendations for preventive care products that best suit your feline friend.
At our Brookhaven animal hospital, we 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 more serious conditions that could have been spotted earlier with a wellness exam.
Cat Checkups at North Brookhaven Veterinary Hospital
Routine wellness exams are essentially veterinary physical checkups for cats. The frequency with which your cat should visit the vet will depend on several factors, including their health, age, and lifestyle.
Vets generally 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.
How often do cats need to go to the vet?
When you wonder, 'How often do you take a cat to the vet?' The answer depends on its age and health conditions. Below, we discuss the frequency of vet visits based on age.
How often do kittens need to go to the vet?
It is typically recommended that vet visits for kittens occur on a monthly basis. This varies between kittens and clinics, so always check with your vet.
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 help 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).
Receiving these vaccinations over the first 16 weeks of their life can give your kitten a good start in life. Many vets also recommend spaying or neutering your kitten when they are between five and six months old to prevent diseases, undesirable behaviors, and unwanted litters.
Speak with your vet at North Brookhaven Veterinary Hospital in Brookhaven to determine the right wellness exam schedule for your new friend.
When to Take an 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 or dental care.
Your vet will implement a head-to-tail examination throughout your adult cat's routine exam to look for early signs of diseases or other issues, such as parasites, joint pain, or tooth decay.
Your veterinarian will also give your kitty any required vaccines or booster shots, discuss your cat's diet and nutritional requirements, and recommend the appropriate parasite protection products.
If your vet spots any concerns, they will share their findings and recommend the next steps.
When should I take my senior cat to the vet?
Once a cat reaches 11 years of age, they will be considered a senior. At this time, their care needs may begin to change a bit. Your vet will likely suggest bringing your cat in every six months to accommodate these changes. Twice-yearly wellness check-ups for your geriatric cat will include all the checks and advice listed above but with a few additional diagnostic tests to obtain 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.
Senior pet care often focuses on 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 for a routine exam.
Pet Wellness Exams in Brookhaven
Your vet offers a wealth of knowledge and experience in keeping your cat healthy at all stages of their life. Ultimately, following your vet's advice can help meet your cat's needs. Routine care, including pet checkups at our clinic in Brookhaven, 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.