Pets are lovely, and a lot of people keep various kinds of pets based on personal preferences, but there is one particular animal that is loved by most people. You’ve guessed perfectly right; it’s the cat. It is a very special animal, and there are several cat species that entertain humans across the globe. It's like every place has its own specialty in foods and other stuff. Similarly, the cats are different in every area. For example, the Scottish fold belongs to a very particular area. There are some very popular breeds spread around the world. Before you can understand how often you take a cat to the vet, it is vital that you understand "why take it to the vet at all"?
It is said that the ancient Egyptians were cat lovers, but there are several types of cats such as Siamese, Persian, Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Bengal, Abyssinian, Birman, and Oriental Shorthair that are loved by countless people across the planet. That’s where the problem begins, because not all cat breeds can be raised in all kinds of environments. There are some very delicate species that require a very specific ambience to survive. For example, the Persian cat has very long hair and requires native nutrients to survive. If you take it to a hot area and start feeding it bread and milk, it would make the cat’s survival difficult. When a cat is moved to a different area, it requires special care and only a vet can guide you in detail, on how you should take care of the cat. The tips below will make you a cat pro in no time, and you’ll be able to make choices freely.
What to discuss with the vet?
You probably want to rush to take your cat to the vet, but if your cat is new or you don’t have prior experience with cats, then it is better that you read this guide in detail before visiting the vet. When you are taking the cat to the vet, it is necessary that you understand the cat well. A cat's history would be an asset if your cat is suffering from a disease or showing some anomaly. The best time to plan a cat's visit to a vet is when it is healthy. This way, the vet doesn’t need to investigate the details and is aware of the basics. This method works extremely well if you have a non-native special breed of cat.
Being a cat owner, it is important that you prepare a question list for the vet as well before the visit. First of all, make sure that the vet is experienced and has the capacity to deal with the cat type you have. If you have a native breed, then you can go to any vet freely. However, if you have a special breed, don’t hesitate to ask a few questions even before the visit. You can ask about the pet’s vaccination types, and schedule and discuss even a diet plan. It is also important that you have the vet’s visiting hours as well. You can add any other question that you deem important for your pet.
Schedule an appointment for a kitten
First of all, congratulations that you own a baby kitten, but don’t relax yet. Before you can start playing with your cat, it is necessary that you pay attention to the basic health requirements. You need to understand that cats are sensitive, and if you don’t give them the right environment to grow, they get sick. When you have a kitten, it is vital that you take it to the vet immediately and plan a visit schedule. If you have a native cat that can survive freely in the provided environment, then it might work for that, but for special breeds like Persian and Siamese, that attitude will not work. The baby kittens start growing worms in their bellies that consume a lot of their energy, which is why kittens must be taken to the vet for deworming.
The biggest benefit of deworming is that your kitten would be able to digest the food properly and its health would be good. The kittens also require vaccinations, and initially the schedule is quite tough, just like a human child. For the first five months, you would have to take the kitten to the vet frequently, and later the interval would increase. After five months, you’d just need to take your kitten for deworming and grooming. Grooming is mandatory and improves your pet’s health. The vet cuts the nails and removes unnecessary hair from the body so your baby kitten can stay as healthy as ever.
Doing it for an adult cat (1 year to 7 years)
As your cat grows up, it requires less attention than before. That doesn’t mean you can skip a vet’s appointment. If you are keeping a pet, then it is your responsibility to cover every aspect of care before it starts showing symptoms of infection. An adult cat should be taken to the vet every six months for a general inspection, vaccination, deworming, and special vaccination. If your cat goes outside, then rabies vaccination is a must; otherwise, you can skip it if your vet recommends it. It is often a misconception that deworming can be skipped once the cat is grown up. Well, that may be true for native breeds, but for special breeds, it is not an option.
The deworming kills the worms that strike your pet from the inside. The worms get inside the stomach because a cat inspects everything with its tongue and excessive growth of these worms can severely affect your pet. So, beware and don’t skip the vet’s appointment. Vaccination and deworming twice a year are recommended. However, if you don’t know how to groom your cat, you may have to take it to the vet frequently. If you want to avoid frequent visits, then learn the grooming secrets to save your time.
Senior cats (age 7 and up)
Before you rush to schedule an appointment for your cat, it is important that you define its age group. When your cat reaches 7 years of age, it is considered an elderly cat and the vet recommends 2 to 3 visits per year for vaccination and routine checkup, unless some special need arises. The cat becomes vulnerable to external threats as it grows old, and you shouldn’t wait if your cat is not feeling well. You can also contact your vet on the phone and ask for instructions if there’s an emergency. Otherwise, take it straight to the doctor. When a cat grows old, it can experience problems with arthritis, obesity, kidney, and liver. That means a vet’s schedule must be followed all the time.
Some might think that a pet just needs to be bought and doesn’t require care. That’s the wrong approach because a pet is a full-time responsibility, and it requires your time and attention all the time. It requires food and better ambiance. In addition, it requires company as well, just like humans. So, if you are planning to buy a cat, then be ready to take good care of it all the time. Pets are amazing and help you relax and forget about worries, so make sure you follow their vet’s schedule precisely.
Due to the increased likelihood of detecting a medical issue in this age group, it is recommended that your cat undergo a thorough physical examination twice a year (every six months) after it reaches 7 years of age. Cats are highly secretive about their pain and discomfort, so do not be deceived by their apparent health and neglect to schedule this vital appointment. This would be a problem! Before this biannual appointment, observe your pet's movements while walking, after waking from a nap, jumping, and entering the litterbox.