How Often Do You Take a Cat to the Vet?

Now that you have your new kitten you may have a lot of questions and may want to know how often you need to take them to see the vet. Our Riverside Veterinary Clinic vets will provide you will information on how often your kitten, adult cat, and senior cat to the vet and what will be done during those visits.

Kitten (0-1 Year)

From 6 weeks until 16 weeks, your kitten needs to visit the vet every few weeks, about once a month, for their vaccinations. This is also when you will discuss spaying or neutering your kitten and any other services you may have questions about. Spaying or neutering is generally recommended between 6- 12 months of age. Your veterinarian will help you determine the best age for this surgical procedure.

At these appointments, stool samples will be taken to make sure your kitten doesn't have any gastrointestinal parasites. 

During each visit your vet will do a complete head-to-tail examination, they will: 

• Listen to your kitten’s heart and lungs,
• Look at their eyes, ears, mouth, and skin, palpate the abdomen,
• Look for any congenital abnormalities or signs of illness.

It is also important to discuss the socialization of your kitten as well as litter box training. Please ask your Riverside Veterinary Clinic vets for guidance on how to trim their nails. At 8-12 weeks it is suggested that you have your kitten's blood tested for Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.

Adult Cat (1-10 Years)

Annual checkups are generally all that you need for healthy adult cats between the ages of 1 to 10 years old. During these appointments, your vet will give your cat a full examination and take more stool samples and update any vaccinations that are needed.

We will weigh your cat and evaluate its body condition. If your cat is overweight, our vets will make dietary and exercise recommendations that will best help your cat. Being overweight will affect your cat's mobility and quality of life as they get older.

If your cat is an outdoor cat, it is recommended that your cat has year-round heartworm, flea, and tick prevention.

Senior Cat (10+ Years)

Cats older than 10 years old should visit the vet twice per year. Vaccinations should continue as recommended by your vet. 

In senior pets, it's important to have yearly CBC, Chemistry and Thyroid bloodwork, and a urinalysis, even if they are not showing any signs of slowing down because early detection is key to your pet’s longevity and good quality of life.

This is also when our vets will want to do your cat's dental cleanings under anesthesia if your cat can handle it. This will keep your cat more relaxed during these visits.

When To Take Your Cat To The Vet

If you notice something unusual, should you take your cat to the vet? The answer is yes. We recommend visiting Corpus Christi vets as soon as possible if you start to notice the following warning signs:

• Coughing, sneezing, runny nose
• Changes in eating, drinking, elimination
• Changes in activity, grooming, sleeping habits
• Vomiting or weight loss
• Howling or excessive licking
• Hiding or avoiding the litter box
• Shivering or signs of hypothermia

These could be signs of underlying health issues in your cat.