How often should you take your cat to the vet?
We are marking Cat Health Month by sharing tips that will help your cat live a long, happy, and pain-free life.
If cats could talk, they would probably remind people that cleanliness is next to godliness.
While some humans admit to not showering daily, these self-groomers spend up to 50% of their day cleaning themselves.
They also tend to be fiercely independent, with some animal lovers joking that dogs have owners and cats have staff.
While it makes for hilarious memes, when it comes to your cat’s health, their independence can make it harder to spot when something’s wrong.
“Cats are experts at hiding pain,” says Dr Tarryn Dent, Business Unit Director: Companion Animals for global animal health company, Zoetis South Africa.
“Early action is key to prevention and better outcomes.”
Some of the most common health risks affecting cats include dental disease, parasites, chronic kidney disease, infectious diseases, obesity/metabolic risk, and arthritis.
Dent says that catching a condition before it becomes a serious health problem increases the chances of successful treatment enormously. It could save your cat a lot of pain and discomfort – and may also save you money in veterinarian bills.
Cat owners need to be proactive about their pets’ health, which means taking them at for regular veterinarian check-ups and getting to know what “normal” looks like for them.
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How often should you take your cat to the veterinarian?
Dr Dent recommends most cats go for a check-up annually, although kittens, senior cats, and those with chronic health conditions may need to go more often.
At these routine appointments, you can expect your cat to receive a physical exam. This includes looking at your cat’s teeth and gums, checking for lumps and signs of pain, and listening to their lungs and heart.
Your cat will be weighed, and you may get recommendations around nutrition.
Your cat will also be assessed for parasites (such as worms and fleas). Prevention is better than cure here, and your veterinarian can give you recommendations for parasite prevention too.
The annual exam is also when your cat’s routine vaccinations are administered. Vaccinations aren’t only for kittens – cats need to have boosters throughout their lives. Rabies vaccination is required by law, but your veterinarian will advise you around which other vaccines your cat should receive.
During the visit, you will likely also be asked about any changes in your cat’s behaviour (e.g. litter tray use and grooming). This is the kind of personal information that only you can provide, and it can give your veterinarian crucial clues as to your cat’s health.
“Understanding your cat’s unique ‘normal’ is very important,” says Dr Dent. “If you know your cat well, you can start to pick up subtle changes. They may be small, but these changes are often early indicators of disease.”
Zoetis encourages pet owners to take note of the following:
- Bad breath or red gums: This can be an early sign of dental disease.
- Over-grooming: It may be a sign of parasites or skin irritation.
- Litter box habits: Changes in how often your cat uses the litter tray or how much urine it passes could indicate an underlying condition.
- Activity: If your cat isn’t as active as usual, is jumping less, or seems stiff, this could be an early sign of arthritis.
- Under-grooming: Could be the result of pain.
- Eating and drinking habits: Notice if your cat is eating or drinking less or more than usual.
- Weight: Gaining weight or losing weight could be a red flag.
“If you know your cat well, even if the cat seems ‘normal’ to someone else, you will know that something isn’t right,” says Dr Dent.
If you notice any changes, don’t wait for the annual check-up, take your cat to the veterinarian.
Keeping up with vaccinations, going for routine check-ups, and knowing your cat well are simple enough, but they can make a big difference to your cat’s well-being.
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