Fabulous Feline Facts: How Often Do You Take A Cat To The Vet

A pet needs regular visits to the veterinarian near you to keep them healthy and to live a healthy life.

For vaccinations or examining diseases, we all need to go to the doctor sometimes. The cats of your home also need that care and no one should ignore this, even with indoor cats.

It is true that outdoor cats are more at risk of contracting contagious feline diseases as they come in contact with other animals in the outdoors. However, even in the case of an indoor cat, going to the veterinary hospital to visit a veterinarian is necessary to administer vaccinations or for diagnosing a disease before becoming serious. Cats living indoors are healthier and like us humans, regular visits are a necessary ritual to be followed to the core. Be it for the weight gain of the animal or to treat some underlying diseases, treatment of our pets should be a high priority on our list. Being late to schedule an appointment is not the right thing to do in these instances. Cats, whatever be their age and behavior, are the kings and queens of our homes but an indoor cat is likely to live longer than a cat that lives outdoors. Health is a priority and this difference shows us the signs of how delicate our cats actually are. It is a good idea to visit a veterinarian once a year even if the cat is in peak health.

An annual checkup can help find smaller issues in our cats and dogs alike. These issues can be anything from obesity, dental problems, injuries, or other medical conditions. Kittens need to see the vet every month to receive shots. The vet can also help with spaying, neutering, and microchip services in kittens at this age. An adult cat can do well with annual visits to the vet. Senior cats, however, need their visits at least twice a year. Cats are no different from humans and need proper care every few months. It is advisable to take a visit to the veterinary clinic for a medical examination to elevate their lifestyle and vitality.

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Everything You Need To Know About Taking Your Cat To The Vet

When you go to the vet with your cat it can bring a lot of anxiety to you and your pet. Getting scared and anxious is normal but we will tell you how to prepare for the day.

Your pet's mental health is important and you should first acclimatize the cat to the carrier it needs to make a home while traveling to the vet. Adult cats are easier to deal with, but with kittens, you need to be very gentle. Adding some treats or toys can help. The vet needs to be told everything about the life of the cat or kitten and what signs have you seen related to their health. The schedule should be made prior to the visit for you to have time to prepare for the examination. The cat's behavior should be noticed and told to the vet. In the case of vaccines in a kitten, it's easier as the vet knows what needs to be done without examining the cat's body. Take complete details of the medication prescribed and the dosage limits and bring your pet back to the clinic if a schedule is needed again.

Signs For When To Take Your Cat To The Vet

There is an age-wise distribution of when you need to take your cat to the clinic for better wellness of your pet.

Regular checkups are important for any cat, be it outdoors or indoors. A baby kitten needs an appointment schedule to be made as early as possible to guide the future. If the kitten is four months old, monthly visits are recommended until the cat turns five months old. Vaccines begin at six to eight weeks and three to four weeks after the first one, the second dose is required. The rabies vaccine starts at three months of age with booster shots at one year and then every three years. For adult cats, trips yearly would be good with full physical checkups and dental cleanings of the pet's teeth. Vaccines for rabies will continue. For your senior pet, a visit every six months or less is needed when the cat turns 8-10 years old. There could be an underlying disease due to old age, and that needs to be detected early.

When should you take your cat to the vet?

Apart from regular visits of cats to the vet clinic, there are some other signs too that need to be looked at if your pet's health deteriorates.

The wellness of your pet is a priority and apart from the regular visits, there can be instances of other needs too. If your cat seems to be in some form of distress or pain, that should be the first sign to go to the doctor as cats are usually calm and stoic. Fatigue and sedentary behavior of the cat can be unnatural and might need care soon. Aortic thromboembolism, a problem in the heart, can create blood clots in the hindlegs and cause distress. Immediate medical attention is needed in this case. Eye or nose discharge and injuries from playing or wrestling might also need urgent medical care so you should get your pet seen as soon as possible.

Taking Older Cats To The Vet

Senior cats ate in most danger of diseases as due to old age, the immunity of the body to hold off illnesses diminishes. In such a case, care needs to be increased.

Multiple visits to the vet will be needed when the cat comes of age (around 8-10 years). Any erratic behavior needs to be reported to the vet as any change in body function can be related to an organ that is causing an issue. It is better not to change your vet often as a regular doctor will have more information on the cat as they have seen the animal grow up.

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