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🐾 Why Regular Vet Visits Matter for Cats
Cats are excellent at hiding pain and illness - a trait inherited from their wild ancestors to avoid appearing vulnerable. Unlike dogs, who often show signs of discomfort, cats can seem healthy until a disease is advanced.
Regular veterinary care is essential to:
- Catch diseases early - such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or kidney disease
- Maintain a proper vaccination schedule
- Monitor weight and dental health
- Discuss behavioural or dietary changes
- Provide age-appropriate care (kittens vs. seniors)
A vet visit doesn’t just keep your cat healthy - it can add years to their life.
🍼 How Often Should Kittens Go to the Vet?
Kittens (0-12 months) need frequent checkups to establish a strong health foundation. Here’s a general timeline:
🗓️ 6-8 Weeks: First Vet Visit
- Full physical exam
- Initial vaccinations (FVRCP - Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia)
- Fecal test for parasites
- Begin flea/tick prevention
- Discuss nutrition and litter box habits
🗓️ 9-12 Weeks: Booster Shots
- Second round of core vaccines
- FeLV vaccine (Feline Leukemia Virus) if at risk
- More parasite prevention if needed
🗓️ 12-16 Weeks: Final Round of Vaccines
- Rabies vaccination (required by law in many regions)
- Final FVRCP booster
- Second FeLV if applicable
🗓️ 5-6 Months: Spaying or Neutering
- Helps prevent behavioural issues and reproductive cancers
- Required before adoption in many rescue centres
- Ideal age for dental evaluation under anaesthesia if needed
🗓️ 6 Months Onward: Transition to Adult Schedule
- Annual wellness exams begin
- Update parasite control and dietary needs
- Discuss behaviour, training, or new habits
🐈⬛ Adult Cat Vet Visit Schedule (1-10 Years)
Healthy adult cats should see a vet once per year, even if they appear perfectly fine.
Annual Check-ups Should Include:
- Nose-to-tail physical examination
- Dental assessment
- Heart and lung auscultation
- Weight check and body condition scoring
- Internal parasite screen (fecal exam)
- Flea, tick, and worm prevention plan
- Vaccine boosters as needed
- Behaviour or dietary discussion
🧠 Why Indoor Cats Still Need Vets
Even indoor-only cats can develop diseases, dental issues, or weight problems. They may also suffer from stress-related urinary conditions, parasites from other pets, or airborne illnesses from open windows.
Don't skip the vet just because your cat "never goes outside."
🧓 Senior Cat Vet Schedule (10+ Years)
Once your cat reaches 10 years of age, they enter their senior life stage, and more frequent checkups are vital.
Senior cats should visit the vet every 6 months, especially for early detection of:
- Chronic kidney disease (common in cats over 10)
- Hyperthyroidism
- Arthritis and mobility issues
- Cognitive decline
- Weight loss or muscle wasting
- Dental disease and gum inflammation
Additional Tests May Include:
- Full blood panel
- Urinalysis
- Blood pressure check
- Dental radiographs
- Thyroid testing
- Eye pressure test (glaucoma screening)
🧠 Tip:
Ask your vet about starting senior wellness plans that include bundled diagnostics. These plans can help you catch disease early - often before symptoms even show.
📋 What Happens During a Routine Vet Visit?
Many cat owners feel unsure about what a standard visit includes. Here’s what you can expect:
- Weight check and physical condition scoring
- Ear, eye, nose, and mouth examination
- Listening to heart and lungs
- Feeling the abdomen for abnormal masses
- Skin and coat assessment
- Behavioural questions (litter box habits, activity, etc.)
- Parasite prevention recommendations
- Vaccination boosters if needed
- Diet and exercise discussion
- Optional blood work or urinalysis depending on age
Most visits take around 15-30 minutes, but longer if diagnostics are needed.
🚨 When to Take Your Cat to the Vet Immediately
Don't wait for your annual checkup if your cat shows any of the following signs:
- Vomiting or diarrhoea lasting more than 24 hours
- Not eating or drinking for 24+ hours
- Laboured or rapid breathing
- Limping or obvious pain
- Sudden weight loss
- Bad breath, drooling, or dental pain
- Lumps or masses felt on the body
- Straining in the litter box
- Excessive hiding or uncharacteristic aggression
- Blood in urine or stool
- Yellow gums or eyes (jaundice)
Cats instinctively hide illness - even mild symptoms could signal serious conditions. Always err on the side of caution.
💉 How Often Should Cats Be Vaccinated?
Core Cat Vaccines:
- FVRCP: Given as a kitten, with boosters every 1–3 years depending on risk
- Rabies: Legal requirement in many places - 1 or 3-year vaccines available
Non-Core (Optional) Vaccines:
- FeLV (Feline Leukemia): Recommended for outdoor cats or kittens in multi-cat homes
- Chlamydia felis or Bordetella: Given in multi-cat shelters or catteries
Ask your vet which vaccines are needed for your cat's lifestyle. Indoor-only cats may require fewer than outdoor cats.
📺 YouTube Video: How Often Should Your Cat Visit the Vet?
Video Title: How Often Should You Take Your Cat to the Vet?
Duration: 37 sec
Channel: wikiHow
This short video breaks down what to expect at each life stage and explains why preventative care is critical - especially for indoor cats. Highly recommended as an engaging primer for new cat owners.
👶 Do Cats Need More Vet Visits in the First Year?
Yes. Kittens require:
- A series of 3-4 vaccination visits
- Parasite screening and deworming
- Behavioural and litter box training guidance
- Spay/neuter consultation
- Nutritional advice to avoid overfeeding or deficiency
Missing early appointments can result in poor immunity or missed congenital issues.
🏥 What If I Can’t Afford Frequent Vet Visits?
You're not alone - pet care can be expensive. Here's how to manage:
- Ask your vet about wellness plans or memberships
- Use pet insurance that covers routine care
- Budget monthly for checkups and emergencies
- Schedule Telehealth consults when appropriate (like Dial A Vet’s $49 video consults)
- Prioritise checkups for seniors and kittens, where the health risks are highest
- Ask for itemised quotes or treatment plans in advance
Preventative care often costs less than emergency treatment.
🙋♀️ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do indoor cats still need vet visits?
A: Yes - indoor cats can still develop health issues like obesity, arthritis, dental disease, or urinary problems.
Q: How much does a typical vet visit cost?
A: General wellness visits range from $60–$150 depending on location, with additional fees for vaccines, diagnostics, or dental cleaning.
Q: Is pet insurance worth it for cats?
A: Yes - especially if it includes wellness coverage. Insurance can cover sudden illnesses, dental work, and diagnostics.
Q: Can I use telehealth for minor concerns?
A: Absolutely. Services like Dial A Vet are perfect for behavioural questions, mild symptoms, and medication advice.
Q: How often should I brush my cat’s teeth?
A: Ideally 3–5 times a week. Most cats over age 3 have dental disease - ask your vet to check.
👨⚕️ When to Book a Vet Visit Today
Call or schedule a visit now if:
- Your cat hasn’t seen a vet in over a year
- You just adopted a kitten or senior cat
- You notice new behaviours or symptoms
- You need to update vaccinations
- You want peace of mind
Book a $49 video vet consultation with Dial A Vet from anywhere - fast, simple, and expert-reviewed.
📚 References
- PetMD Editors. How Often Do You Take Your Cat to the Veterinarian? PetMD. Retrieved from https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/how-often-to-take-cat-to-veterinarian
- GoodRx. Fabian, R. (2024). How Often Should You Take Your Cat to the Vet? Retrieved from https://www.goodrx.com/pet-health/cat/how-often-take-vet
- RSPCA Pet Insurance. How Often Does My Cat Need to Visit the Vet? Retrieved from https://www.rspcapetinsurance.org.au/pet-care/cat-care/cat-vet-visit-guide
- The Spruce Pets. 18 Warning Signs That Your Cat Is Crying for Help. Retrieved from https://www.thesprucepets.com/signs-your-cat-is-sick-4165142
- Cats.com. How Often Should You Take Your Cat to the Vet? YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYfdziL-yxo
