Keeping your cat healthy is a very important priority when owning a cat. However, it is hard to tell exactly when you should take your cat to the veterinarian. Since cats are predators, they tend to hide most of the symptoms of their illness until they have passed through much of the onset of the issue. This means that it is a good idea to take your cat to the veterinarian two times a year at the minimum. However, it also depends greatly on the age of your cat as well.
When you get a new kitten, it is important to take them to the veterinarian right away. This is because kittens need to receive an initial inspection to see if they have any diseases and they also need to receive their initial vaccinations, just like a baby does. At this appointment, your veterinarian will schedule the next appointments that you will need to attend to deal with other potential diseases and will receive more vaccinations to deal with things such as worms and at an older age, rabies.
At your last appointment when your cat is a kitten, you should set up an appointment with your veterinarian to bring your cat in when it is a year old. During this trip to the vet, your cat will receive booster shots for the core vaccinations and will also receive a fecal examination, as well as an overall physical examination. Every three years after this appointment, you should bring your cat in to receive these booster shots again. "Even if your cat is not due for these vaccinations however, it is recommended that you bring your cat in at least twice a year for fecal and physical examinations to make sure they are still healthy," says Banfield Pet Hospital.
Once your cat becomes eight years or older, they are considered to be a senior and although they do not need to be vaccinated more than younger cats, they should be taken into the vet a least every 6 months so that your veterinarian can evaluate your cat and potentially catch any diseases that your cat may catch. Even though many of the disorders associated with old age such as arthritis and diabetes cannot be cured, if you catch them early enough, you can help to make your cat's life much easier and pain free.
There are some exceptions to these tips that have been given though. If your cat seems to be acting abnormally, always take them to the vet. It is better to be safe than sorry when dealing with your cats health. If you follow this rule, then you should be able to keep your cat safe and healthy for quite a long time.
