Do I need to take my cat for a checkup?

[RoJoHen]

I've grown up with cats all my life, but they were always my parent's responsibility. I got my own cat last May (she was 6 months old), and she had already been fixed and had all her shots. It's getting to be about a year since I've had her...do I need to take her to the vet? Does she need more shots? I have no idea what I'm supposed to do.

 

[auntiehill]

Rabies vaccinations need to be updated yearly. So, yes, you probably do need to take kitty in for a quick visit to the vet. Besides, a yearly check-up is always a good thing.

 

[Docbrown777]

My vet sends a card in the mail addressed to my cat saying it is time for him to come in for a checkup.

Damn cat gets more mail then I do sometimes.

 

[C. Cole-Chakotay]

Yes, a yearly vet visit is in order. In fact, some vets are now advocating six-month checkups.

 

[Ariadne]

In fact, some vets are now advocating six-month checkups.

They would... they make money off the visits.


But, yeah, kittens and elderly cats need yearly checkups at least.

 

[Finn]

I've seen Vets who seem gimmicky. But yeah, it's time to take the cat to the Vet

 

[Crusher Disciple]

If you ever plan to have her boarded when you go out of town or get her goomed, you'll need to have proof that her shots are up to date.

Other than that, I see no problem with a cat that's foaming at the mouth....

 

[RoJoHen]

If you ever plan to have her boarded when you go out of town or get her goomed, you'll need to have proof that her shots are up to date.

Other than that, I see no problem with a cat that's foaming at the mouth....

If I go out of town, she is either coming with me or will be watched by one of my friends. And I have never once had a pet get groomed. They spend half the day cleaning themselves (when they're not sleeping). Why would I spend money to get them groomed?

She's strictly an indoor cat. The only time she has ever been outside, she has been in a carrier on her way from my apartment to my car, from my car to my parents house, and then back to my apartment.

 

[Crusher Disciple]

Beverly needs help grooming her fat ass. She can't reach around there. And as much as I want to put her on a crash diet, I have to be careful about slimming her down.

 

[RoJoHen]

My old cat died partly because he was so fat, so I've made an effort not to let this one eat too much. And I only let her eat the hard cat food.

 

[hellsgate]

If it begins hating Mondays, drinks coffee, and attacks dogs n' postal-carriers, you'll know.

 

[Nerdius Maximus]

If the cat is indoors only, rabies shots are pretty much your call. Some say that the risk of complications from the vaccine are not worth it if the cat is indoors. But if he or she goes outside, vaccinations are a must.

 

[FlyingLemons]

If it's an indoors cat, I don't see any problems.

However, mine likes to go out and then vanishes from dawn until dusk. Thus I take her for six monthly check-ups to make sure that she's in good form and all of her vaccinations are up to date, including for some of the rarer things such as feline leukemia.

 

[Garrovick]

For health care, I think a pet like a cat or dog should get regular vet check ups. At least once a year and more often if there are existing health problems.

There is one city in California, has a law that requires animal care givers, the term pet owner is no longer PC, treat their pets like children in areas like feeding, shelter and health care.

 

[Marie1]

I'd say a year- as there are more shots than rabies. Isn't one of them for something with the lungs? It's best to get them done, as even a house isn't really a closed environment.

My vet is scared of cats... so getting to the vet can be tricky... he's also an idiot... but it's the health of the pet that's key. Man I need to find a new vet...

 

[RoJoHen]

My vet is scared of cats...

Is this right? Are you sure this isn't backwards?

 

[C. Cole-Chakotay]

I've got a guinea pig that goes to the vet at least twice a year. She's a 'heart pig' and takes medication for her heart. She needs to be checked regularly for that. If it wasn't for that, I wouldn't take her to the vet unless she was ill.

She's doing fine on her medication and now is up to approximately two pounds in weight which is very good for her.

 

[Crusher Disciple]

My vet is scared of cats... so getting to the vet can be tricky... he's also an idiot... but it's the health of the pet that's key. Man I need to find a new vet...

I had to read that like 3 times.

I always freak out about distemper shots. I make sure they get those.

 

[JiNX-01]

If the cat is indoors only, rabies shots are pretty much your call. Some say that the risk of complications from the vaccine are not worth it if the cat is indoors. But if he or she goes outside, vaccinations are a must.

My cat's vet does rabies shots routinely. But he did tell me that the feline leukemia vaccine is only necessary if the cat spends time outdoors and might come into contact with strays.