You knew your young cat needed to see the veterinarian regularly when they were a kitten, but now that they’re moving into adulthood, you may be wondering why a healthy cat needs an annual veterinarian visit. Although we love to see your kitten, we promise we’re not recommending wellness appointments just for the snuggles.
How often should my young cat visit the veterinarian?
As your cat moves into adulthood, your young cat should see the veterinarian at least once annually for a wellness exam and booster vaccines. Once your cat becomes a senior, they should see the veterinarian at least every 6 months.
Cats who have health concerns like feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or urinary tract issues may need to see the veterinarian more often. If your pet has a chronic health condition, speak with your VCA care team about how often you should visit.
Benefits of annual veterinarian visits
Seeing the veterinarian annually is one of the best things you can do to safeguard your young cat’s health. Here are four reasons you should see the veterinarian annually:
Catch health conditions early
With a physical exam, your veterinarian can detect many conditions you may be unaware of, such as heart murmurs or dental abnormalities. The laboratory work they recommend at annual wellness appointments will also allow your veterinarian to determine your cat’s baseline blood values, allowing for earlier detection of chronic health conditions like kidney disease or hyperthyroidism as your kitten ages.
Keep your young cat safe from infectious diseases
Vaccines are a normal part of your cat’s annual wellness appointments, and they keep your young cat safe from deadly infectious diseases like rabies, panleukopenia, and feline leukemia virus (FeLV). While some vaccines are recommended every 3 years, some, like the 1-year rabies vaccine, are necessary annually. If your cat gets FeLV vaccines, these are recommended every 2 years. Rabies vaccines are legally required in many jurisdictions.
Order parasite preventives
Heartworm preventives require a veterinary prescription. You’ll be unable to get your cat the preventives they need without visiting your veterinarian.
Check in on weight
Your veterinarian is your best source for whether your young cat is at a healthy weight. Keep in mind that over half of cats in the United States are overweight or obese, which increases the risk of chronic health conditions like diabetes or arthritis. Your VCA care team will track changes in your pet’s weight and body condition score over time, using your cat’s weight trends to help inform their dietary recommendations.
It’s better to catch health conditions early! Earlier detection means earlier intervention, which often translates to better outcomes. Remember that your cat ages much more in one year than you do! Regular wellness appointments are an easy way to protect your young cat’s health.
Does my cat need to go to the vet every year?
Are annual visits to the veterinarian for cats necessary? We certainly think so! If the above reasons weren’t enough for you to see the value in your cat’s wellness appointment, do note that some cities and jurisdictions require an annual rabies vaccine for cats administered by a veterinarian.
