How often does my cat need to visit the vet?

When it comes to health problems, our beloved feline friends can be annoyingly adept at sneakily masking their initial symptoms of unwellness – at least until their issue becomes as plain as the whiskers on their face!

To keep your cat as purr-fectly happy and paw-sitively comfortable as possible, it’s particularly important to stay on top of their routine health care with regular veterinary visits.

Here are a few things to consider to foster fantastic feline health.

How often should cats visit the vet in Australia?

As well as seeing the vet for any episodes of unwellness or injury, it’s best to keep up with a proactive routine of regular veterinary check-ups for your cat. This gives your vet regular opportunities to spot any subtle developing health issues in your four-legged friend, such as dental disease, arthritis, abnormal lumps, or unexplained weight changes. Prompt recognition of these issues allows your pet to start any required treatment earlier, which may help reduce unnecessary pain and suffering for them, as well as improve their overall prognosis for more serious health issues.

Vets recommend that cats undergo a general health check-up with a veterinarian at:

• around age 6-8 weeks, then 10-12 weeks, and at 16+ weeks of age for their kitten vaccination series;
• around 6-14 months for their first adult vaccination booster; then
• every 12 months for healthy cats aged 1-10 years old;
• every 3-6 months for cats 10+ years old, or those diagnosed with a chronic health issue (such as kidney disease or hyperthyroidism)

Kitten vet checks and vaccinations

At your kitten’s vaccination appointments, your vet will be able to perform a physical examination to assess your new fur-baby’s general health, which can help detect any:

• Developing health problems, such as ear infections
• Congenital health issues (health problems your kitten may have been born with, such as a heart defect causing abnormal heart sounds)
• Infectious health issues, such as fleas, tummy worms or cat flu

They will also be able to give you advice on general cat care, such as appropriate dietary options, recommended parasite control routines, and managing a healthy weight for your kitten as they grow.

Additionally, desexing (spaying in females, castration in males) is generally recommended by four months of age in cats – and may be legally required by around 3-6 months of age, depending on the Australian state/territory and the particular council zone in which you live – so your vet can also confirm the best time for your pet to undergo this procedure if they haven’t already.

Adult cat wellness exams and preventative care

If your cat ever goes outdoors or attends a cattery or another facility where they will be around other cats, it’s usually advised for them to receive annual vaccinations as an adult. Your vet can make personalised recommendations as to the exact vaccine types and schedule for your pet, depending on their lifestyle and the area in which you live.

However, regardless of whether your pet requires annual vaccinations or not, it’s still generally recommended for cats aged from 1-10 years old to undergo a full health check-up annually.

Common issues spotted at health checks in cats at this age are:

• Dental disease, which is progressive, and can be painful and affect your pet’s general health too
• Skin problems, such as allergic skin irritations or fleas
• Weight problems

It’s also common for owners to wish to discuss feline behavioural concerns with vets, such as urine spraying or house soiling problems, or how to keep indoor cats happy and healthy.

Senior cat health monitoring and check-ups

If your cat is 10 years of age or older (or if they have been diagnosed with a long-term health condition), it’s recommended for them to undergo a general health assessment at the vet every 3-6 months to more closely monitor their wellness.

Particularly relevant health issues for senior kitti-zens include:

• Monitoring of their weight, as unexplained weight loss can occur due to conditions such as chronic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, or gut issues such as inflammatory bowel disease
• Monitoring of their blood pressure, as high blood pressure can commonly occur secondary to other health conditions, and can cause heart, brain and kidney damage, or even sudden blindness
• Dental disease and other mouth-related conditions
• Unusual lumps or bumps
• Arthritis
• Cognitive decline (old age brain deterioration)

Signs that your cat may need a vet visit

As well as the more obvious symptoms of injury or unwellness such as limping, vomiting, diarrhoea, coughing or sneezing, it’s also best to monitor your feline friend for more subtle changes in their activities.

Subtle symptoms of unwellness in cats can include:

• Changes in behaviour, such as sleeping or hiding more, or being unusually vocal, unsettled or cranky
• Unexplained changes in weight
• Changes in their coat condition, such as looking matted or unkempt
• Changes in their appetite or drinking levels
• Changes in the appearance of their poos, such as diarrhoea, black stools, or stools with blood or mucus
• Changes in their weeing habits, such as weeing in unusual places, straining to wee more often, or having blood-tinged urine

If your pet demonstrates any of these symptoms, get them to a vet sooner rather than later.

Tips for a low-stress vet visit

Unfortunately, as much as vets love cats, cats don’t always love vets! This is because many cats only go in their carrier to the vet if they’re unwell or need to receive vaccinations, so they can develop negative associations.

To help reduce your cat’s stress for vet visits, it’s best to:

Use a suitable cat carrier that is:

• Secure
• Large enough for your cat to stand up in and turn around, but still cosy
• Lined with comfy bedding that’s marked with their scent. You may also consider spraying with a calming feline scent hormone spray 10 minutes prior to popping your cat in
• Able to be opened at the front and at the top, so it’s easier to get your pet in and out
• Covered with a light cloth or towel to help your cat feel safe – as long as they can still get adequate ventilation
• Carried and secured carefully in the car to prevent your cat getting thrown around

Pro tip: Get your cat used to the carrier as a comfy resting place at home on a day-to-day basis, so it feels like a safe haven.

If your cat gets very stressed for travel or vet visits, you can also have a chat with your vet regarding the option of a gentle calming medication that you can administer at home prior to any required trips to give your fur-child a literal ‘chill pill’.

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29 May 2026