It's a good idea to take your cat to the vet for an annual wellness and cat health check-up, even if you carefully watch their health.

While caring for cats can be enjoyable, there are many duties involved, such as taking your cat to the veterinarian. Spotting minor changes in your pet's health often requires a trained eye, especially considering how adeptly cats can conceal ailments. Fortunately, your veterinarian will be an excellent investigator.

General Cat Health 

When your fluffy companion is ill or hurt, you already take them to the vet, but such visits usually concentrate mainly on a single problem. 'Check-up' appointments, on the other hand, operate under the tenet that 'prevention is better than cure' and are crucial to maintaining your cat's health and preventing specific ailments.

At least once a year, and more frequently as they age or if they have unique medical requirements, your cat should receive a complete physical examination by your veterinarian. The comprehensive nature of this consultation will ensure that your cat is looked at from the tip of its tail to the end of its whiskers.

These yearly check-ups also allow your cat to become accustomed to visiting the doctor's office while feeling healthy, which can foster a relationship between them and the vet. If kids only go when wounded or unwell, they could get anxious and associate going there with unpleasant or stressful events. Even if it's only for a flea inspection, it's a brilliant idea to visit the veterinarian's office sometimes. The receptionists and veterinary nurses will always appreciate a passing stroke, and it will make a good impression without any prodding or poking!

Cat Vaccinations 

Cat immunisations should be given annually to help protect your cat from certain illnesses, such as feline enteritis (caused by the feline parvovirus), feline leukaemia virus, and feline chlamydophila (a bacterium that causes conjunctivitis). 

Fleas, Ticks and Worms

Managing worms, fleas, and ticks is another instance when prevention is preferable to treatment. Remember that ticks may spread dangerous infections and many feline disorders, and fleas, or at least their larvae, can survive all year long in your house and yard. Ask your veterinarian for tips on how to keep tapeworms and other parasites at bay. You may find more detailed information on our page for treating fleas and ticks on your cat.

Neutering

It's crucial to neuter your cat if you don't intend to reproduce from them to avoid having unwanted kittens for both of you. Additionally, neutering will aid in preventing some cancers and infectious disorders in cats.

Your veterinarian can advise you on the ideal time to neuter your kitten, and if you acquired an unneutered cat, they'd encourage you to get it done as soon as possible. They can also recommend a suitable diet to prevent your neutered cat from gaining weight.

Behaviour 

Make sure to alert the vet to any changes in your cat's behaviour or problems, such as improper peeing, when you bring them in for a check-up. These could be symptoms of an underlying illness or a behaviour issue that a qualified behaviourist might help you with. Your veterinarian will be able to recommend a competent expert to you.

Dental Care

Your veterinarian will thoroughly examine your cat's teeth to check for any indications of dental issues. Using your check-up for a professional assessment is a good idea because cats are famously lousy at notifying owners about their aches and ailments.

Even if your feline buddy hasn't complained about their hurting teeth, they may still require dental operations because dental disease is widespread in cats, especially as they age. Using the tips on this page to take care of your cat's teeth, you can also talk to your vet about at-home dental care and other ways to help keep your cat's teeth healthy.

Weight and Body Condition 

Unfortunately, obesity is an issue that affects far too many cats, so weigh your cat and talk about their physical health at your next check-up. You can do several things to help if your cat is overweight.

Discuss a nutrition plan with your veterinarian and strategies to enhance your cat's activity level, or inquire whether your veterinary practice offers a weight loss program. You also don't want your cat to be underweight, so if it has lost weight since the last time it was weighed, talk to your doctor about it, as it may indicate a cat health issue.

Senior Cats 

As your cat ages, your veterinarian may advise more frequent check-ups; this means that they want to keep a closer eye on your cat so they may catch any developing health issues early. Your cat's blood pressure may need to be taken at these check-ups, and if your veterinarian has any concerns, they may recommend a blood or urine test to look for any underlying issues. Your vet may also ask you to provide a urine sample, enabling them to determine whether your cat has conditions like diabetes or renal disease.

Conclusion

Use your visit to discuss any issues you have had with your veterinarian, no matter how little. This might include their food and liquids consumption, exercise, and any other issues you may have. Senior cats can experience numerous organ problems, osteoarthritis, hearing or vision loss, dementia, and memory loss, much like older people.

Since cats are well known for disguising sickness symptoms, your veterinarian can give you tips on what to look out for. Fortunately, many feline health issues may be effectively treated with medication or minor lifestyle adjustments, which your veterinarian can assist with during a check-up.