How often do you take a cat to the vet

Cats are the cuties. How often do you take a cat to the vet? is the most common question of a feline owner. Remember, your pet’s health depends entirely on the care regime you follow. A pet cat can live ten years longer than an outdoor cat! Are you wondering about the routine vet care your cat needs? It depends on their vaccination drive, neutering, illness, etc. Each cat needs attention depending on age, health, physical condition, etc. You must know what exactly your pet needs. Understanding them will make the bonding firm. Check the below section to learn your feline in and out. How often do you take a cat to the vet:

How Often Do You Take a Cat to the Vet?

A pet cat lives for around 10-15 years. If you are using a human age calculator, the age limits are equal to 56-76 years of age. The term ‘cat behavior‘ refers to: How often do you take a cat to the vet?

• Aggression
• Body language 
• Physical condition 
• Playing habits 
• Grooming
• Communication and many others

These behaviours largely depend on the breed and the individual patrolling snuggling at your home. How often do you take a cat to the vet, depending on the age of your cat? Depending on the age, your cat can have various medical needs. The medical conditions often require a visit to the vet. 

The standard medical requirement of the cats, irrespective of age, are:

• Neutering
• Vaccination
• Health checkup

Do you know that human age also regulates the health conditions in cats? There’s nothing to be surprised about! Instead, look at the following details: How often do you take a cat to the vet?

• Kittens- Your kittens must visit the vet every 3-4 weeks till four months. It ensures that they are experiencing adequate development and growth. Do you know breastfeeding, besides passing nutrition, also gives parasitic worms in their bodies? Deworming is the process of removing those worms from their bodies. Their routine vaccination is also a must.
• Adult Cats generally require fewer visits; their health calls for an annual checkup. However, always consult the vet near you in emergency cases like health issues or diseases.
• Elderly Cats- Seniors (aged 12 years and above) always require extra tender care. With growing age, their health becomes fragile. Thus, they need a vet after every six months. The health issues they suffer from include: blood pressure, urine test, blood work, hypertension, renal problems, heart diseases, etc. 

Why Do Cats Need to Often Visit the vet?

Attaining the checkup sessions ensures that your felines are safe and sound. Often the diseases do not show early symptoms. There are loads of benefits to taking your feline company to the vet: How often do you take a cat to the vet?

Wellness Checkup

Annual health checkup is an excellent idea for your cat. It helps to detect any early health issues (if any). This initiative brings a much better outcome. Early detection also helps to treat diseases better. In addition, it is cheaper and much more relieving that your cats will have a soon recovery!

Obesity

Unnecessary weight gain or obesity is a common problem for most pets. It can cause many issues like heart disease, diabetes, joint pain, etc. When you take your cat to a vet, they measure the feline’s weight. The next step involves comparing the current weight with the earlier one. If the cat is becoming heavy, the health assistant will chalk out an exercise and diet routine. Woohoo! Your friend is now set for a healthy makeover. 

Excessive Thirst 

Kidney disease, hyperthyroidism and diabetes mellitus are the causes of excessive thirst in cats. You can often encounter these symptoms in elderly cats of 10 or above. A keen observation of the cat can stop this disease from further damaging the organs.

Mobility Problem

Similar to their hooman friends, their growing age can trigger arthritis. The problem in the joints will create further hindrance in their movements or jumping from an elevated height. The symptoms of arthritis include increased sleep, less exercise, lack of interest in communication, etc. Another factor responsible for their deteriorated joint health is gaining weight.

Chronic Health Issues

Your adorable feline can also be the victim of chronic health issues. These health issues are responsible for bringing significant behavioral changes in this. Though these problems are inevitable, a routine checkup can prevent the disease from spreading to a large extent! 

Dental Diseases

Our furballs commonly suffer from some of the common dental problems like tooth resorption, gingivitis and periodontitis. Most of the cats (around 90%) with ages above four years start showing dental issues. You must be thankful for the often visit to the vet! The vet will diagnose the problem and take the early initiative to check it.

Vaccination

Your little furball is eligible for vaccination after one year. The cats are exposed to diseases like rabies, leukemia, and feline distemper. You should know that timely immunisation is essential for the feline member of your house.! It makes sure that your cat is enjoying a healthy life for a long time. Have you taken your cat for the vaccination?

Treating Hairballs

Brushing the furs will reduce the formation of hairballs in the stomach of the cats. Regular combing of the hair is one of the routine healthy habits. Are you afraid of brushing your tiny fluffy? You can consult a professional groomer in that case. 

Life Stages of a Cat 

Are you aware that there are six different life stages in cats? No? Have a look. There are specific medical conditions each step suffers from. Thus, the stages decide How often do you take a cat to the vet.

Kitten (0-6 months)

This stage typically shows any prevailing health condition, like a hernia since birth. It is the time to curate a diet plan, vaccination, neutering, microchipping, lifestyle and controlling parasites. The social environment is the foremost importance of developing your pet’s behavior!

Junior (7 months- 2 years)

The usual fear for junior cats is the infestation of infection. So, vaccination is essential at this stage. This stage also marks the transition from junior to adult. You must focus on their physical maturity, the surrounding environment, and the outdoor space for their diet. Never forget to keep a watch on the body weight as well.    

Adult (3-6 years)

The adult stage is the point where the cat can still hunt actively. Vaccination and parasite control is essential in this stage also. Some may start showing dental issues. Start cleaning their teeth under a vet’s supervision. Health problems that most affect adult cats are obesity, heart disease, cystitis, problem in behaviors, and intestinal disease.  

Mature (7-10 years)

Mature cats are playful. The most challenging part of dealing with these cats is the outbreak of chronic diseases. The specific chronic diseases in cats are intestinal disease, behavioral problems, kidney diseases, cancer and hyperthyroidism. You must closely monitor your friend to detect the early symptoms of the above conditions. Another common problem is obesity. Monitor your diet to keep weight gain in check.

Senior (11-14 years)

This stage involves acceptable changes. Increased sleeping, less grooming, and lack of interest in food are the expected behavioral changes of this stage. The thyroid glands, kidney disease, and diabetes will likely affect your feline. With good quality care, you can prevent all such severe problems at once. 

Super Senior (15 years above)

In this stage, many things can go wrong! Do not get disheartened because even at this stage, many diseases are treatable. Changes are not only associated with the ageing process; it can also be the inferior care routine that leads to poor feline health. They may not fall under the category of nine lives. The proper handling of their health will keep your feline healthy and active. 

Signs to Take a Cat to the Vet Immediately

By now, you have known the benefits of a routine trip of your feline to a vet. However, there are times when you may get perplexed to see your cat’s health. It is better to take the baby to a vet rather than wait at home for observational purposes. Do you know what the signs are to consider seriously? Have a look!

Frequent Vomiting

Occasional vomiting with hair is nothing to worry about. If your cat is repeatedly vomiting, it is the wrong signal! You can call your vet to discuss the behaviour if the baby is vomiting and using the litter box and regular feeding. Has your cat stopped eating, drinking and littering? It is an emergency!

Signs of Distress 

Cats are known for their stoic nature. Despite that, if your cat shows distress like hiding, crying, and other strange behaviors, something is wrong with your pet!

A Change in Feeding Interest

Cats can be finicky when it comes to feeding. You must know its eating habits. Is your cat behaving unusually with food? It may have some underlying health condition.  

Abnormal Behavior and Litter Box

Do you have a male kitty at home? Behaving abnormally with the litter box is very common for males. In case of emergencies, it starts urinating outside the box, producing little urine with stress (straining and crying). It can also begin most of the time by cleaning the genital area. 

Nose or Eyes Discharge

A nose and eyes discharge simultaneously indicate the feline’s respiratory tract infection. Often the discharge accompanies trouble in breathing, sneezing and panting. A quick session with the vet is better to prevent the severity of the disease. 

Dragging the Hind Legs

Aortic thromboembolism is the cause of dragging legs condition. This complication indicates a heart disease in cats. A blood clot is formed in the hind legs, gradually moving toward paralysis. Contact your vet at the earliest. 

A Lump

Lumps are harmless, but you cannot be sure enough without a vet’s consultation. Even a benign tumor can be uncomfortable for your vet. 

Coughing with a Sound 

Increase in the number of breathing or sounds from the cough or shallow breathing- If you come across any of these symptoms in your pet, there must be something wrong in the respiratory passage. Visit your vet now! 

Major Trauma 

Your vet can suffer from trauma too! The trauma can be of various kinds, like a hit by a car, a harrowing encounter with fellow cats or a visit to a vet. The cat may seem fine, but there can be underlying issues. 

Why Does My Cat Hate the Vet?

How often do you take a cat to the vet : Cats only get aggressive or angry when they fear a lot! A trip to the vet is the most hated outing for some felines. There can be a list of reasons behind it. Check them out: How often do you take a cat to the vet?

• Many vets state that as needles surround their chambers and uncomfortable procedures, the cats are not uncomfortable with such ambience and accessories.
• The environment is also not the one to which it is accustomed. There are loads of new smells, strange sounds and, lastly, the presence of other animals. These animals are the spooking agents for your cats. 
• There are many cats whose world does not exceed the four walls of their houses. Sudden exposure to a different environment causes triggers in cats.

How Often Should My Cat Get Vaccinated?

Primary vaccination is essential for every kitty. The vaccination drive at this stage is not enough for them to combat the infections throughout their lives. Many studies and researchers have said that all vaccines do not require boosters. Is your cat a fully-grown adult? It needs the revaccination session every one or three years. It will keep all the health problems of your pussy at bay! 

How often do you take a cat to the vet: Have you seen any side effects of the vaccination on your cat before? If you have not, you may encounter any of the following sooner or later:-

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Fever
• Hives
• Lethargy
• Lack of appetite

How often do you take a cat to the vet : Call your vet now if you see your cat suffering from severe side effects.

The vaccination cycle of the cat depends on every stage of its growth:

• Kittens- Your kittens must visit the vet every 3-4 weeks till four months. It ensures that they are experiencing adequate development and growth. Do you know breastfeeding, besides passing nutrition, also gives parasitic worms in their bodies? Deworming is the process of removing those worms from their bodies. Their routine vaccination is also a must.
• Adult Cats generally require fewer visits; their health calls for an annual checkup. However, always consult the vet near you in emergency cases like health issues or diseases.
• Elderly Cats- Seniors (aged 12 years and above) always require extra tender care. With growing age, their health becomes fragile. Thus, they need a vet after every six months. The health issues they suffer from include: blood pressure, urine test blood work, hypertension, renal problems, heart diseases, etc. 

What is Veterinary Preventive Care for Cats?

The primary aim of the preventive care scheme is to give your furball a healthy life. A healthy life includes proper hygiene, a good diet, and routine health checks. Feline diseases are easily treatable at an early stage. If the condition is diagnosed in a severe stage, it can reach a position beyond treatment!

Moreover, cats are experts at hiding their physical trouble. So, by the time you detect one, it is too late! The care programs comprise:

• Analysis of urine and blood
• Annual Medical Tests
• Periodic monitoring at home

What Situations Are Considered Emergencies for Pets?

How often do you take a cat to the vet : An injured or sick pet needs special attention. To give the sick pet proper care, you take precautions first. At the cats’ worst health, the cats may become aggressive or irritated. They need careful handling. 

Vomiting

If your cat is repeatedly vomiting, it is serious! Has your cat stopped eating, drinking and littering also? It is an emergency!

Lack of Interest in Feeding 

Cats can be finicky when it comes to feeding. You must know its eating habits. If your cat behaves unusually with food, it may have some underlying health condition. 

Abnormal Behavior

Cats are known for their stoic nature. Despite that, if your cat shows distress like hiding, crying, and other strange behaviors, something is wrong with your pet!

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is the condition when your cat has runny feces or blood with the feces. It also stops eating and hides them. 

Conclusion 

How often do you take a cat to the vet: Cats are the cutest of pets. We also adore them. However, they are susceptible in nature and picky. Their affection is only for their family. They may not be great at welcoming you like the other pets, but you cannot ignore their warmth. The tiny furballs are the epitome of cuteness. They must need proper care and routine vet visits for a healthy daily life. 

Reference Link:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov

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