Seeing a vet regularly is essential to safeguard your cat’s health and wellbeing. Consultations allow health problems to be picked up and prevented before they become serious. They are also the opportunity to discuss your pet’s individual needs, such as vaccination, nutrition or parasite control.
A cat’s consultation at the vet
How do I know whether my cat needs the vet?
Here are some signs that should alert you:
- A change in behaviour: sudden aggression, lethargy.
- Loss of appetite, or excessive thirst.
- Digestive upsets: vomiting, persistent diarrhoea.
- Coughing, sneezing or difficulty breathing.
- Urinary problems: straining to pass urine, or blood-tinged urine.
- Limping, or visible signs of pain.
- Sudden weight loss or gain.
- Changes in the coat or skin: itching, red patches, hair loss.
- Feline obesity — advice and solutions to prevent and tackle this trend.
These symptoms call for prompt attention and may point to an underlying health problem.
What is the main reason cats see a vet?
The most frequent reason a cat sees a vet is a digestive or urinary problem, such as vomiting, constipation or a urinary tract infection. These conditions can quickly become serious if they are not treated in time.
Annual vaccinations and preventive health checks are also frequent reasons to come in.
When should a cat see the vet?
Here are some key moments to bring your cat in:
- Kitten: for the first vaccinations and worming.
- Every year: for a health check, booster vaccinations and parasite control.
- Adulthood: to keep an eye on general condition and detect any chronic disease.
- Later years: older cats need more frequent check-ups to stay ahead of age-related conditions such as kidney disease or arthritis.
When is it an emergency?
Veterinary emergencies can include:
- Trauma: a fall, an accident or a serious injury.
- Difficulty breathing.
- No urine passed for more than 24 hours.
- Seizures or loss of consciousness.
- Swallowing something toxic (plants, medicines, chemicals).
If in doubt, it is always better to see a vet and make sure your cat gets the care it needs.
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