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You are a new pet owner, but you still know your pet better than the vet. My cat is 17 and I take him to the vet once per year.
Last year I undertook a pretty big move and my cat lost a few pounds. My vet was alarmed and wanted to put him through all kinds of tests and extra vet visits. I didn't think it was necessary and was pretty sure it was just stress, related to the move, so I opted to wait. Sure enough his weight is stabilized and at his annual checkup, the vet didn't see the need for any special tests...but still wants him to come in frequently.
I don't fall into the camp that thinks that all vets are just trying to bilk you for money. But they are in the business of presenting every option available to you. So you have to decide for yourself what is best for your 'family'.
Wrong person, lol. My cats not THAT old. Honestly he's on my lap right now, alternating between licking my chin and nipping me. I go to work in an hour though, so I'll try and remember to ask the techs when I see them, as answers here seem to be a tad all over the place.
Seems to me like responders have mentioned 2 options commonly - either once or twice a year. With one outlier for once every 5 years or so!
Does your cat seem ill? Is there a need for 2 visits per year for your cat? Or is your cat healthy and happy, with good teeth! In the last case, once a year should be plenty.
I wouldn't personally rate 10 for a cat as very old. More like on the edges of getting there - like 50+ for a human. Depends on the cat, though.
Still, I've met more cats who were over 15 than I have dogs over 15. And 13 seems common enough.
And my opinion would be towards the once a year visit, unless there was a good reason to do otherwise.
I had a cat that lived to 19 and I did the senior bloodwork but didn't stress her with 2 visits per year. I stopped all vaccines at 16. I said 'be real. she is vaccinated enough' and the Vet agreed. Even the groomer accepted her with no recent vaccines after getting proof that she'd had them for 16 years. Or 15, as at 16 I said seriously. No more.
Why do you feel the need to take a well cat to the vet?
There are things you may not be seeing. My elderly lady had a thing, I forget the name, that causes dental problems. The Vet would be able to see them and pull them before they could cause her pain. Also, bloodwork. She ultimately died of CRF, but if I am not mistaken it's possible now to catch that sooner and they can live longer with it, lacking suffering. I would not nurse a pet through an illness that caused them to suffer, but I will treat one that doesn't.
Why do you feel the need to take a well cat to the vet?
Well he's getting old, for one, and I am not a trained vet (yet) so I can't see things they do see. Plus he WAS a stray, so that's on my mind and I know male cats can get UTIs easier than a female. Teeth aren't the best condition (just plaque buildup) and they recommend a cleaning and just one, cause anything more would be overkill according to the vet, so until thats done he gets looked at.
Really I'm mostly concerned owner here. I really went in for a 3-6yo cat and left with an 11yo, which is getting old in my eyes, so I want him to have a great time with me. Even if that means taking my favorite pillow as his and staring at me when I want it back, ultimately laying down on it as a sign that it's his now
Well he's getting old, for one, and I am not a trained vet (yet) so I can't see things they do see. Plus he WAS a stray, so that's on my mind and I know male cats can get UTIs easier than a female. Teeth aren't the best condition (just plaque buildup) and they recommend a cleaning and just one, cause anything more would be overkill according to the vet, so until thats done he gets looked at.
Really I'm mostly concerned owner here. I really went in for a 3-6yo cat and left with an 11yo, which is getting old in my eyes, so I want him to have a great time with me. Even if that means taking my favorite pillow as his and staring at me when I want it back, ultimately laying down on it as a sign that it's his now
Forget that pillow; it's gone.
Since you have a regular vet (or are you moving away) you should take the cat at least once if he hasn't been to the vet since you adopted him. A shelter will do big tests like FIV, etc., but having blood and baseline stuff is good because the vet will know him. So if you call with some question, they'll have a better idea. You're still the front line as far as his health because you're the only person who will see any change in behavior, any troubles in the litter box, any change in appetite, amount of pee, sleeping, meowing, everything.
I'm not trying to hijack the thread, but am curious about why you don't do the vaccines after a certain age.
Likely because they are vaccinated enough by age 7.
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