Preventive Care & Early Diagnosis For Cats
The best way to make sure your kitty has a long and healthy life is to prevent serious illnesses or catch them early when they are more easily treated.
By regularly bringing your cat to the vet you are providing your veterinarian with the opportunity to monitor your kitty's overall health, look for the earliest signs of disease, and offer you recommendations for the preventive care products that would suit your feline friend best.
Our vets understand how you might be worried about the costs of your cat's routine checkups and preventive care especially if they seem to be in optimal health, although, taking a proactive, preventive approach to your kitty's health could save you the fees of more expensive treatments in the future.
Routine Wellness Exams For Adult Cats
Taking your cat to the vet for routine wellness exams is like bringing them to the doctor for a physical checkup. As with people, how often your cat should have a physical examination depends on their age, lifestyle, and overall health.
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.
Kittens From 8 Weeks to 12 Months of Age
If your cat is less than a year old, it is highly recommended that they be brought to the vet about 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 kitten will receive these vaccines over roughly a 16-week period which will go a long way in helping to keep them healthy throughout their entire life.
The exact timing of your cat's vaccinations will vary depending on your location and the overall health of your furry friend.
We recommend that your kitten is spayed or neutered when they are between 5 - 6 months of age in order to prevent a large number of diseases and bad behaviors on top of preventing unwanted litters of kittens.
Adult Cats Up To 10 Years Of Age
A healthy cat between the ages of 1 and 10 should be seen by the vet at least once a year for a checkup. These examinations are yearly physical checkups that are completed when your cat seems to be perfectly healthy.
During your adult cat's routine exam, your vet will do a thorough examination to check to make sure they are not developing early signs of disease, illness, 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 Cat Wellness Care
Once your cat hits the age of 11, they are officially considered to be a senior.
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.
Oftentimes, diagnostic tests will be recommended for your senior pets including 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.