How often should I take my cat to the vet?

Updated 15/11/2024

Taking your cat to the vet is part and parcel of being a responsible pet parent. Not only is it your best chance of catching potential health problems early, but it’s also an opportunity for you to get expert advice for your feline friend. Wondering “How often should I take my cat to the vet?”? Let’s find out!

Key takeaways

• Every cat should visit the vet at least once a year, even if they seem healthy.
• Kittens need more frequent visits during their first six months.
• Senior cats or those with health conditions should see the vet twice a year (or more!).

How often should I take my cat to the vet?

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommends taking furry felines for routine check ups at least once a year. But the truth is, how often they need to visit the vet depends on factors like age, lifestyle, and overall health. Here, we break down “How often should cats go to the vet?” based on their age.

When to bring a kitten to the vet

Kittens need regular check ups during their first few months of life, and most vets recommend coming in every few weeks until your furball reaches about five months of age. These early vet visits for kittens usually focus on the following: 

• A physical examination to monitor their overall health and check for congenital conditions, infections, and parasites.
• Kitten vaccinations, starting around eight weeks old.
• Preventive care and treatments for parasites like fleas, ticks, and worms.
• A discussion about whether to get your cat spayed or neutered, usually recommended around five to six months.
• Your vet will also give you helpful tips and advice on everything from dental care,  diet, and litter box training to socialization and playtime.

A kitten’s first vaccines usually cover feline leukemia, cat flu (FHV), feline calicivirus (FCV), and feline parvovirus (FPL), and a rabies shot (depending on the country you live in) is often added at around 16 weeks. Keep in mind that boosters are needed to ensure long-term protection, depending on your location and your kitten’s health.

How often should you take adult cats for a check up?

Once your kitten turns one, they’re officially an adult! This means their vet visits can generally be scaled back to once a year – unless they have health conditions that require more frequent monitoring.

Routine vet care for healthy adult cats includes:

• A full-body physical examination.
• Weighing the cat and assessing their body condition.
• Checking their teeth and offering dental care advice.
• Running routine bloodwork to ensure everything is ticking along nicely.
• Administering any vaccine boosters the cat might need.

These visits help catch early signs of disease and other health problems to ensure your feline friend stays happy and healthy well into their golden years.

How often should I take my senior cat to the vet?

Once your kitty reaches the ripe old age of eight, they’re considered senior citizens of the cat world (but don’t tell them that!). Senior cats are more prone to health issues like arthritis, kidney disease, and diabetes, so they benefit from seeing the vet at least twice a year.

During these senior cat check ups, the vet will typically: 

• Conduct a thorough physical exam, focusing on common age-related issues like joint pain and changes in weight or muscle composition.
• Run bloodwork and urinalysis to check organ function and screen for diseases like diabetes or hyperthyroidism.
• Administer any necessary vaccines or boosters.

More frequent vet visits can help catch these problems early, so your kitty can enjoy their later years in comfort.

When should a cat see the vet immediately?

Even with the best routine vet care for cats, unexpected emergencies can still happen. Here are some red flags that mean your purr pal needs immediate veterinary care:

• Bleeding, coughing up blood, or blood in their urine.
• Difficulty breathing or choking.
• Inability to pass stool or urine.
• Injuries to their eyes or sudden eye issues like swelling or cloudiness.
• Inability to move legs or signs of a broken bone.
• Eating something poisonous (like lilies or chocolate).
• Extreme pain, heat stroke, or severe diarrhea/vomiting.
• Seizures, collapse, or tremors 
• Difficulty giving birth

If you’re ever in doubt, it’s always best to get your cat checked out sooner rather than later.

Life can get busy, and sometimes you need a little break from the day-to-day responsibilities. Whether you’re traveling for work or off on the trip of a lifetime, an in-home cat sitter can make all the difference to your feline friend’s care. So next time you’re packing your bags, don’t forget to arrange for a cat sitter to keep your purr pal happy and safe at home until you return!

Meet our veterinary expert, Corinne

This article has been checked by veterinarian Corinne Wigfall BVMBVS(Hons) BVMedSci(Hons). Corinne is originally from Wales and moved to New Zealand after graduating university. She started her career with a university based equine internship and moved onto mixed and small animal practice. Currently she splits her time between online tele triage and working in an after hours vet clinic.

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Frequency of veterinary visits