How Often to Take Your Kitten or Cat to the Vet

All cats need to go to the vet sometimes (hello, recurring vaccinations). That familiarity can pay off down the road if your cat runs into health problems. By Austin Cannon Medically Reviewed by Jenna Stregowski, RVT Updated May 03, 2022 Medically Reviewed by Jenna Stregowski, RVT Advertisement Pin FB More Tweet Email Send Text Message Print
kitten with vet; how often do you take your kitten to a vet? Credit: South_agency / Getty

As a loving pet parent, you probably know that one of the most important things you can do for your cat is to get regular veterinary care. But what does "regular" mean? How often should you take your cat to the vet?

The American Animal Hospital Association recommends that all pets see a veterinarian at least annually, perhaps more if the dog or cat has specific health needs.

Randy Wheeler, DVM, a longtime veterinarian and executive director of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, says there isn't a hard-and-fast rule for how often your cat should see the vet because it depends on too many factors: age, lifestyle, and where the pet lives.

The bottom line, Wheeler says: Form a good working relationship with your veterinarian because they will best advise you on how often your specific pet needs checkups. This kind of cooperative relationship will pay off in the long run if your cat does run into more serious health conditions.

With those factors in mind, here are some general guidelines for when to take your cat to the vet:

Kitten Vet Visits

New cat owners are usually bound by an agreement with a shelter or breeder to take their kitten to see a vet soon after adoption. This kicks off your relationship with your chosen veterinarian and provides an opportunity for the vet to start observing and tracking your kitten's health from very early in his life.

Vaccines will begin when your kitten is 6–8 weeks old, depending on their lifestyle, family history, and common diseases where you live, Wheeler says. This first round will include shots for rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia.

About three or four weeks later, your kitten will get the second round of those vaccines, recurring every three or four more weeks until the kitten is roughly 4 months old. 

Around the three-month mark is when the rabies vaccines start, Wheeler says, with boosters at the one-year mark and then every three years (or whatever the manufacturer recommends).

Deworming treatments are typically given at some of these visits since most kittens get intestinal worms from their mothers.

Those initial trips to the vet will also include physical exams and a discussion about flea and tick prevention, Wheeler says. This is also a good time for you to ask for your vet's advice about any nutrition, behavior, or training questions you might have.

Soon after, around the six-month mark, your kitten will be ready to be spayed or neutered. 

Adult Cat Vet Visits

Once a year check-ups are recommended for adult cats until age 6–8 years old, though cats at any age with health concerns (especially chronic conditions) may need to see the vet more often for monitoring.

Vaccine boosters will continue as your pet eases out of the kitten stage (1 year old and onward, Wheeler says).

Your vet will inquire about your cat's lifestyle, especially whether he's an indoor-only cat or a cat that sometimes ventures into the outdoors. Outdoor or indoor-outdoor cats face more risks outside: parasites, predators, and maybe even becoming separated from your best friend Otis and having a heckofa time finding the way back to the farm.

Another risk that increases for cats who venture outdoors: Diseases like feline leukemia and feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), which spread from cat to cat (although they don't affect humans or other pets). The feline leukemia vaccine will also be offered to your cat as a kitten and recur throughout your cat's life. Although there is a vaccine for FIP, it's generally not recommended by vets.

Recurring visits will also give your vet a chance to inspect your cat's teeth, along with giving general physical exams and advice about preventative care. "[I] can't say enough about dental care," Wheeler says. Teeth cleanings will help prevent bad breath, and you'll want to make sure your pet's teeth and gums are healthy so your cat doesn't have trouble eating or isn't in any pain.

RELATED: How to Make Brushing Your Cat's Teeth a Hassle-Free Experience

Vaccines, like the one for rabies, will continue, too. Your vet is likely to recommend them for every one to three years, Wheeler says.

Senior Cat Vet Visits

You'll likely start going to the vet multiple times per year when your cat is 8–10 years old, Wheeler says. Most vets start advising visits every six months once cats approach their senior years.

While you'll want to report any behavior changes to your vet no matter your cat's age, that discussion becomes more important when your cat reaches his elder years. If a cat is drinking more water than he usually does, for example, it could indicate bigger concerns such as kidney problems or diabetes, Wheeler says.

Hopefully, visiting the vet frequently throughout your cat's life will make these visits as stress-free as possible. It's also why having a trusted vet you're comfortable with can pay dividends, Wheeler says. They'll know your cat and can tell if something is amiss.

That's the shortfall of vaccine-only clinics or low-cost spay and neuter clinics: They might not spot other health issues your cat is enduring. A regular relationship with your vet is the best way to assure thorough health screenings and long-term health tracking for your cat.

Is Your Cat Due for a Vet Visit?

If your cat hasn't been to the vet in the last year, it's probably time to make an appointment. To make these appointments easier to remember, try writing them down in a planner or making a reminder on your phone or email calendar. Your vet's office might even offer appointment reminders via email, text, or phone call if you opt in for them.

If your cat has severe anxiety before vet visits and tends to run away or hide when it's time to get them in the car, take a look at these tips for getting your cat into a carrier as well as ways to ease your cat's anxiety in general to make vet visits a less stressful experience for everyone involved. Some cat parents even use vets who offer mobile services so their cats can been seen in the comfort of home.

If you need to find a new veterinarian for your cat, you can search through the Cat Friendly Homes' Cat Friendly Practice or Cat Friendly Certified clinic throughout the country here.

RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About the Cost of a Vet Visit