Cats, your furry companions can both calm your nerves and irritate you at the same time. Cats are independent creatures that like to roam on their own. They are also quite affectionate (only for their trusted friends or acquaintances).
Like any pet owner, cat owners also worry about the health of their furry masters. For your cat to lead a long and healthy life, preventing them from catching illnesses or treating them at the right time is a must.
How Often Should Your Cat Visit the Vet?
A routine wellness exam is like a physical check-up. But the tricky part is the routine word. Regular check-ups depend on several factors such as age, lifestyle, and overall well-being of the cat.
Cats are divided into three categories based on their age:
- Kittens: From birth to 1 year
- Adult Cats: 1 year to 10 years
- Senior Cats: 10 years +
In this article, we will try to guide you through the how’s, why’s, and when’s of routine check-ups.
When should Kittens Visit a Vet?
- If your fur baby is below 1 year of age, start bringing them to the vet once a month when they turn 8 weeks old.
- During their first year, kittens have a vaccine schedule that needs to be taken care of.
- Following is the list of vaccines that kittens need:
- Feline Leukaemia vaccine
- FVRCP vaccine protects from three highly contagious and potentially fatal feline diseases: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FHV-1), Feline Calicivirus (FCV), and Feline Panleukopenia (FPL).
- The time period for these vaccines is completed over the course of approximately 16 weeks.
- The timing of vaccines varies depending on your location and the health of the kitten.
- Kittens should be spayed or neutered between 5 – 6 months of age.
- This step prevents a lot of diseases plus an unwanted litter of kittens.
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When should Adult Cats Visit a Vet?
- Cats aged between 1 and 10 should visit the vet annually.
- Even if your cat is perfectly healthy, make sure that they have their physical check-up yearly.
- Vets examine the cats from head to tail.
- This helps in detecting early signs of illness or issues such as parasites, joint pain, and tooth decay.
- Booster shots may also be administered.
- You will also be informed about your cat’s nutritional requirements.
When should Senior Cats Visit a Vet?
- Cats that have attained the age of 11 years are called senior cats.
- Since senior cats are more prone to diseases and injuries, two half-yearly visits are recommended.
- Aging pets need blood tests and urine check-ups to detect early signs of diabetes or kidney ailments.
- Please observe your pet’s activities carefully so that you can discuss any abnormalities with the vet.
- A proactive approach works best for your aging companions.
When to Make an Appointment with the Vet Outside of Routine Exams?
It is always best to schedule an appointment with your vet if your cat is under the weather or shows the following symptoms:
- Continuous Vomiting
- Change in appetite and thirst
- Lethargic
- Weight Loss
- Coughing and breathing changes
- Limping
- Nose or eye discharge
- Howling or crying
- Hiding or avoiding the litter box
Now that you are aware of all symptoms and age criteria, go schedule your pet’s check-up. But wait, we have added a few more pointers to help cat owners with vet visits.
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Is it Stressful for Your Cat to Visit the Vet?
It is quite common for your furry companion to become nervous or stressed when they visit the vet. And this in turn upsets you. But do not worry, we have got a few tips and tricks to ensure a smooth vet visit for your pet.
- Cats should not be fed before routine check-ups.
- Keep your own anxiety in check.
- While traveling to the vet, make sure to keep comfortable and familiar items in your cat’s carrier.
- Also scheduling routine visits when they are fur babies enables them to be accustomed to the journey and the clinic’s environment.
- Discuss with your vet about your cat’s anxiety and they may suggest some calming methods or sedatives.
How Often do You take a Cat to the Vet: Impact on Your Pocket
You might be wondering if taking a perfectly healthy (pun intended) cat to the vet is a pocket-friendly option. So let us tell you the good news. Cat owners save almost half on vet visits when compared to dog owners. One more reason to be owned by cats, yay!
Cat owners must pay somewhere around $50-$200 per year for pet visits. However, in case your cat falls sick suddenly because you had been skipping annual pet visits (looking at you through judgemental glasses) it will take a toll on your pocket.
So, make sure you and your cat have a routine chat with the vet.
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