When to take your cat to the vet is an important consideration as cats are masters at hiding illness and pain. Here’s our guide:
Cats are considered young adults from ages 1 to 6 and mature adults or seniors from ages 7 to 10. An annual checkup is a must for adult cats and twice a year for seniors. Checkups will help your veterinarian identify medical conditions early and ensure your cat is up to date on their preventive care, like vaccinations and sterilisation.
When to take an indoor cat
Just because your indoor cat has no contact with other cats who may potentially carry contagious disease does not mean your indoor cat can skip his vet exam. Even indoor cats should see a vet once a year.
Don’t underestimate the value of your veterinarian’s physical examination which could detect heart disease, dental disease, cancer or many other ailments that have not yet shown symptoms. The earlier these illnesses are detected, the more successful the treatment. Annual blood tests will pick up signs of diabetes or chronic kidney disease.
Senior cats
Once a cat is a senior, they should see their veterinarian at least once every six months. Senior cats need to see the vet more often because they are more likely to develop chronic health conditions. Earlier detection means earlier intervention, which can lead to a better outcome.
Common conditions in senior cats that your veterinarian could detect at wellness examinations with a physical exam and lab work include:
- Diabetes mellitus
- Chronic kidney disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Cancer
- Tooth reabsorption
- Eye ailments
- Heart disease
Emergency vet visits
Signs that you need to see an emergency veterinarian include:
- Collapse or seizures
- Uncontrollable diarrhoea or vomiting, especially with loss of appetite
- Traumatic injuries, like being hit by a car or getting attacked by a dog
- Difficulty breathing
- Inability to urinate or yowling in the litter box
