The Importance of Regular Cat Checkups: 4 Vet Reviewed Benefits
Cats are biologically very different from humans, but what they have in common is a need for regular wellness checks. Even healthy cats should be examined at least once a year by a qualified veterinarian to ensure they are fit and healthy, and check for any signs of illness that aren’t easily seen. Let’s check out the benefits of regular cat checkups at the vet.
Top 4 Benefits of Regular Cat Checkups
1. Keeping Up With Their Different Life Stages
If you compare the average human life expectancy to that of our cats, we can see how our life stages line up:
| Human | Feline | |
| Life expectancy | 76.4 years | 14 years |
| Geriatric | > 60 years | > 9 years |
| Middle age | 36-60 years | 2 -8 years |
| Young adult | 19-35 years | 10-24 months |
| Teenager | 13-18 years | 4-9 months |
| Child | 0-12 years | 0-3 months |
By the time they’re 9 months old, our cats are the equivalent of an 18 year old human! So you can see why it’s important to have kittens checked regularly during those early months. As they get older, having a yearly check up is the equivalent to us visiting our doctor once every 7-8 years, which is why vets recommend that older cats be seen twice a year; the equivalent of older people having a check up every 3-4 years.
These health checks make sure that you and your vet are making sure that your cat is reaching appropriate milestones, eating the right foods, and staying healthy.
2. Early Detection of Illness
Cats are very good at hiding when they’re sick, which can give us owners a run for our money as far as spotting signs of illness. It’s not unusual for a feline patient to be masking an illness long before they feel unwell enough for us to see the signs. Having regular wellness checks can result in early detection of disease, allowing us to be more proactive about treating it.
Here are some common problems picked up during a vet exam that might not be noticed at home:
3. Assessing Behavioral Issues
Things that might seem minor at home, can actually be an indicator of a significant problem, so never leave out any details about any changes you may have noticed.
Here are some examples of behavioral changes, and what they might mean:
These are just a few examples, but it shows you how your cat’s behavior can tell us a lot about their health.
4. Keeping Up With Preventive Health
Depending on where you live, there may be different viruses and parasites that your kitty could be at risk from. Even cats that stay indoors can be infected with airborne viruses like cat flu, and fleas aren’t exactly deterred by a locked door. Kittens should be inoculated against common feline viruses, including rabies, and these vaccinations need to be boosted after a year. Even if you decide not to continue with yearly vaccinations, you should make it a priority to keep up with yearly checkups in case there are changes in disease prevalence in your area that you need to be aware of.
Flea, tick, heartworm and intestinal worm treatment and prevention is a must for outdoor cats, but is also important for those that stay indoors. Your annual check up is an ideal time to talk to your vet about your concerns and work out a plan that works for you and your cat. Don’t be afraid to talk to your vet if you prefer to use more natural remedies - they can advise you about what is safe, what is dangerous, and what might be most effective.
How Often Should My Cat Have a Wellness Exam and What’s Involved?
The average adult cat should have a wellness exam every year, while kittens need wellness checks monthly until their growth levels out at maturity. Senior cats at higher risk for developing health problems should be examined more frequently—most experts recommend biannual wellness checks.
For a more precise idea of what a cat wellness exam entails, let’s take a look at what kinds of tests you can expect to see performed at your vet’s office.
Cat’s Wellness Exam Tests Typically Include:
Depending on how healthy your cat is, that may be all that is involved. However, depending on your cat’s lifestyle, age, and physical condition, your vet may recommend some additional tests.
For example:
Wellness checks are also the ideal time to ask your vet any questions about anything that’s been worrying you about your cat, whether it’s a change in their behavior or a change in their toileting habits. There are absolutely no silly questions when it comes to your cat’s health, so don’t be afraid to ask any questions if you believe it’s important!
Wrapping Up
Cats might prefer to hide it, but they get sick too. Our feline friends can’t tell us when they’re feeling under the weather, which is why regular cat checkups are essential for their continued development and health. Prevention is always better than cure, and early intervention leads to much more favorable outcomes. So if you think your healthy kitty doesn’t need a vet check, think again; it might just save their life.
See Also:
How Often Should You Take Your Cat to the Vet? What Vets Recommend
Vet Clinic Is Booked for the Day, What Do I Do? 5 Vet Approved Tips
Sources
Featured Image Credit: Eliz A, Shutterstock
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Codee Chessher is a freelance writer with extensive knowledge on a variety of subjects that include travel, DIY, pets, and more. He has a colorful past but the written word was always his first love. He believes there's nothing a well-worded sentence can't accomplish!
When not writing, Codee enjoys reading fantasy novels, tackling DIY projects around the house, and memorizing useless pop culture trivia. He has lived in many places around the US, and most recently resides in northern Mexico.
