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I see some people take their pets in twice a year due to age. My cat's 11 and I'm told that's getting old for a cat. He seems to be in good health (minus a teeth cleaning that I'm getting done) but should I take him in anyway? The vet suggested blood work due to age. I don't mind paying for it, especially since I work there and get an employee discount (and I'm told/seeing we charge a LOT less than other clinics).
Basically, should I take him twice a year or just yearly? I should mention I'm a new pet owner, so I might be overdoing it but I wanna do what's right and yearly seems a tad long for an older pet, but I could be wrong!
I do think about asking my manager, but whenever I think of the question she's: Busy, gone, or I'm in a position where I can't ask (at home, busy with people, leaving work and she's JUST now gone, etc).
No one can really determine that but you and your doctor as it depends on any health issues. The older my cats get, the more frequent the visits so have a talk with the doctor.
Cats ages much quicker than people. It is recommended to have senior cats being examined and checked twice a year. As the cat gets older, more problems may come up which may warrant additional visits. But the general rule of thumb for seniors are 2 visits per year plus CPC panel.
I guess I will be the contrary voice here. Once a year is plenty for my older cats. Going to the vet stresses them -- some of them get VERY stressed -- and the older they get, the less I want to stress them. We do a "senior panel" of blood work around age 11-12 and then take it from there. We have 2 very elderly cats now (18 and 19) and I will not bring them to the vet unless they are acting sick or not eating. I simply do not want to stress them, and want them to live their days out in peace.
I have a 19 year old cat that goes once a year and no longer gets vaccines other than rabies. We have to go at least once a year because she is on a medication for hyperthyroidism and they have to do a full blood panel annually to make sure the dosage is still correct. If she wasn't on those meds, we would never take her to the vet now that she's over 19 years old.
My cat is around 11 and in the five years I've had her, she's been to the vet twice. Once was for ear infections almost right after I got her and then for gum surgery and two extractions when I was able to afford it. That was last year and the vet pronounced her a very healthy cat. All shots updated, all bloodwork, stool culture, etc., came back fine. I wonder now and then if I should bring her in, but without some indication, I can't see putting her through the experience.
Well, my cat has needed 3 extractions done, and the need for two of those were found at her annual wellness exam (the other one was found during the oral exam she received while she was "out" during one of the surgeries). So, don't anybody count out the value of a periodic checkup.
At 19, the stress of the trip to the vet will often do more harm than any actual good that will come from an exam.
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.
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(and I'm told/seeing we charge a LOT less than other clinics). 
