How often should I take my cat to the vet?

Cats are masters of hiding illness — which is exactly why regular vet visits matter more for cats than for many other species. By the time a cat shows obvious signs of illness, disease is often advanced.

Kittens (0–12 months)

- First visit ideally within 48–72 hours of arriving home: parasite check, health assessment, and discussion of vaccination schedule
- Vaccination course: typically 3 visits between 9 and 16 weeks
- Neutering consultation at 4–5 months
- FIV/FeLV test recommended for any kitten that will go outdoors
- Total: 4–5 vet visits in the first year

Adult cats (1–7 years)

- Once a year for a health check and booster vaccinations
- Core boosters: Feline Herpesvirus, Calicivirus, Panleukopaenia (FPV) — typically every 3 years after the initial course
- Leukaemia (FeLV) and other boosters — annually for outdoor cats
- Dental check at every annual visit
- Flea, tick, and worm prevention review — particularly important for cats that go outdoors or live with a dog

Senior cats (7+ years, or consider 10+ as "geriatric")

- Every 6 months from age 10 onwards is strongly recommended by most feline medicine specialists
- Blood panel and urinalysis at each visit: catches kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and anaemia at the earliest, most treatable stages
- Blood pressure measurement: essential from age 10 — undetected hypertension causes sudden blindness
- Joint assessment for arthritis

Between visits

Do not wait for the annual check if you notice:
- Any weight change (loss or gain)
- Increased or decreased thirst
- Changes in litter box habits (frequency, straining, blood)
- Lethargy or behaviour changes
- Vomiting more than 1–2 times per week
- Any new lump

Flovvi tip: log every health observation in the app and bring your notes to each vet visit. Cats do not demonstrate symptoms in the consulting room as reliably as dogs — your observations at home are invaluable diagnostic data.