As a cat carer, it can be difficult to know what to expect at these appointments, what the vet is looking for and how this helps your feline friend. Here is a guide to everything that might happen at your cat’s health check-up to help put your mind at ease.

What is a cat health check-up and why are they important?

A ‘general health check’, or ‘wellness exam’, is a routine medical examination of a cat who is thought to be in good health.

Vets usually recommend different timings for these check-ups, depending on your cat’s life stage and other factors:

• Kittens are usually checked at least every two months, as their rapid growth means that their needs change fast as well.
• Yearly vet visits are usually enough for adult cats to make sure they keep fit and healthy.
• And senior cats benefit from being seen twice yearly, as they are more prone to certain conditions that can be diagnosed early if they are monitored closely.

They are useful to catch any early indications that something may be wrong and for you to discuss with your vet routine matters such as weight control, dental care, and any other concerns you may have.

Getting your cat to the vet

Though some cats are used to family adventures and are happy to go into their carrier and anywhere you might take them, others are not so pleased when taken away from their comfort zone.

This can be challenging, especially if you expect your cat to hide as soon as they see the carrier or be sick on the car ride to get to the vets.

If this is something that has happened and you anticipate it will happen again, have a look at our blog “How to get your cat to the vet safely” and talk to your vet before heading to the practice for tips tailored to your feline friend. It’s important that you try to promote a stress-free experience for your cat (and yourself as well!) so that they can come to enjoy these essential vet visits.

Cat health check: a step-by-step guide 

Now that you and your cat have safely arrived at the vet, it’s time for their examination.

The vet will call you into the consulting room, where there will usually be a table to place your cat in their carrier. Staff at any vets, but especially at cat friendly clinics, will be trained to be calm and gentle with your cat. There should be plenty of time for your cat to ease into this new environment and get used to being in the clinic. They will also weigh your cat to see if they are growing appropriately or maintaining a healthy body weight.

History 

The vet will start by asking some questions about your cat’s health: their food and water intake, their toileting habits, exercise and behaviour. They will check that you have not noticed any possible early warning signs of ill-health, such as changes to your cat’s activity level, breathing rate or thirst. They may also ask about more obvious signs such as vomiting or diarrhoea. If there’s something on your mind that you wish to discuss, writing it down and keeping it visible (i.e. on your cat’s vaccination card) is really helpful to you and your vet as a reminder.

Physical exam 

By this time, your cat will hopefully have become more comfortable in the consulting room and will be more settled and have ventured out of the carrier. Whilst you and the vet have been talking, the vet will have been observing your cat, checking how alert they seem, their body condition and how comfortable they are moving around. The vet will now examine your cat from head to toe, taking in clues about their health and looking for signs of disease.

Here are the main parts of a cat check-up:

• The skin and coat – checking for hair loss, matted fur, sore skin, dandruff, greasiness and any lumps.
• The mouth – looking for problems with the teeth or gums, ulcers or excess saliva.
• The nose and face – looking for any discharge, noisy or unusual breathing, swellings or lumps. The lymph nodes and thyroid gland will be felt.
• The eyes – the vet will check there is no redness, discharge, tear overflow or problems with the eyelids.
• Heart and lungs – listening to the chest with a stethoscope is an important part of the exam, checking for any changes to the normal heartbeat, heart rhythm and rate, and breathing sounds.
• Abdomen – feeling your cat’s belly will help your vet find any lumps, pain or any abnormal feel to the internal organs.
• Joints of the legs – depending upon the history you give and the age of your cat, the vet may also assess the joints to see if they seem painful or have changed from normal.
• Sometimes your vet might take your cat’s temperature, to check for fever or changes in metabolism.

Additional tests

Depending on your cat’s age and any problems picked up on the examination, your vet may recommend some extra tests. These may include a blood pressure measurement, urine or faecal samples and blood tests. As cats age, they are more likely to suffer from certain health problems, such as hormonal problems like diabetes, or chronic kidney disease, which are best discovered early. Your vet will discuss all of this with you before performing any tests, and there will be other staff available to help handle your cat if this is required.

Discussion 

The vet will discuss the results of their examination of your cat immediately during the consultation. If additional tests, such as blood or urine samples, have been taken, you may need to wait for results. If you feel that it’s been a while and no one’s said anything to you yet, try not to panic. The samples may take some time to process, and the team may be busy with other animals who are unwell, but they haven’t forgotten that you are concerned and will get back to you as soon as possible. Your vet will summarise their findings and whether you need to change anything in your cat’s routine, diet or healthcare. They will also recommend when your cat next needs to be seen.

Do I need to bring anything with me? 

It can be useful to have a copy of your cat’s vaccination or other health records with you, especially if they have been vaccinated or treated at a different vet clinic. If a urine or faecal sample is required, your vet will let you know in advance. If you are not the cat’s main carer, knowing their basic routine, food type, and any medications is essential, and also whether any family member is concerned about your pet’s health or behaviour.

Regular check-ups are highly recommended to keep your feline friends healthy and happy. Cats are good at hiding problems, and so having a wellness exam can be an excellent way to pick up on early signs of disease. They are also the best time for you to discuss any routine issues with your cat in a calm and unhurried environment. If you’re not sure when your cat is due their next check-up, talk to your vets today!