How Often Should Your Cat Have a Health Check-up?
Kittens every few weeks, adults once a year, seniors every six months. What happens at each visit, the tests worth adding as cats age, and how to make vet visits less stressful for your cat.
· 3 min read
Updated
Cats age faster than people in their first two years, and they hide illness instinctively. A cat who "seems fine" can have early kidney disease, dental pain or high blood pressure. Regular check-ups catch these problems while they're still easy to manage.
How often
| Life stage | Approximate age | How often | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitten | 6 weeks – 6 months | Every 3–4 weeks during the vaccine course | Vaccines, deworming, growth, diet, spay or neuter planning |
| Young adult | 1 – 7 years | Once a year | Weight, teeth, booster vaccines, parasite control |
| Mature | 7 – 11 years | Once a year, with blood and urine tests | Kidneys, thyroid, teeth, weight changes |
| Senior | 11+ years | Every 6 months | Kidneys, blood pressure, thyroid, arthritis, weight |
Cats with ongoing conditions (kidney disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, heart disease) need check-ups on the schedule we set together, often every 2–3 months.
What happens at a check-up
- Weight and body condition. A 300 g loss in a 4 kg cat is like a person losing over 5 kg. We record it at every visit.
- Mouth: gums, teeth, tooth resorption, ulcers.
- Eyes, ears, nose, skin and coat: mites, fleas, ringworm, lumps.
- Heart and lungs: murmurs, abnormal rhythms, breathing sounds.
- Abdomen: kidney size and shape, bladder, any masses.
- Joints: older cats often have arthritis that shows as not jumping, not as limping.
- Vaccines and deworming as due.
- A chat about behaviour, litter habits, appetite and thirst. These are often the earliest clues.
Tests worth adding as cats age
From about 7–8 years, a yearly blood panel (CBC and biochemistry) and urinalysis help detect kidney disease early. Many cats have lost a large share of kidney function before creatinine rises. Older cats may also need a thyroid (T4) test, sent to an external lab, if they're losing weight while eating well. Our in-house lab gives CBC and biochemistry results in about 15–20 minutes.
Signs that mean don't wait for the annual visit
- Drinking more, or bigger urine clumps in the litter
- Weight loss, even with a good appetite
- Not eating for 24 hours
- Vomiting more than once a week
- Peeing outside the litter box, or straining
- Hiding, or a change in personality
- Bad breath or drooling
Making visits easier for your cat
- Leave the carrier out at home with a soft blanket and treats inside, so it isn't only linked with vet trips.
- Cover the carrier with a towel during travel and in the waiting area.
- Bring a small towel that smells of home.
- Don't feed a large meal just before travel if your cat gets car-sick.
- Tell us if your cat is very nervous. We'll handle it calmly and keep it away from barking dogs where possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
My indoor cat never gets sick. Does she still need yearly visits?
Yes. Indoor cats have a lower infection risk, but they're prone to obesity, dental disease, urinary problems and kidney disease, all of which are picked up at check-ups.
How much does a check-up cost?
The consultation is ₹300. Vaccines and any tests are additional. We'll explain what is recommended before going ahead.
Can you check my cat's blood pressure?
Ask us at the visit. High blood pressure is common in older cats with kidney or thyroid disease and can affect the eyes.
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