When to Take Your Cat to a Vet: A Complete Guide

Sometimes there are obvious signs that show that you need to take your cat to the vet ASAP; for example, when they have met with an accident, have an allergic reaction, or are having a seizure.

However, often there are signs that may not be this apparent, but it is just as important to take your cat to the vet.

Besides this, we also need to regularly take our cats to the vet for their vaccine shots. Otherwise, their health might deteriorate. Knowing how many times we wake our cat for vaccines and which ones to get is important information for cat owners.

Knowing when to take the cat to the vet and having regular checkups to the vet is crucial to ensuring that your cats have optimum health. As a cat owner, you don’t want to end up rushing to the vet in an emergency.

This is why we will discuss several instances when you should take your feline friend to the vet in this guide. Moreover, this guide will also highlight what signs to look out for if you are unsure of whether or not to take your cat to the vet.

When to Take Cat to Vet?

Everyone would know that you need to take your cat to the vet if they have obvious symptoms of an illness, distress, or infection, or if they have met an accident. They may be howling, crying, or hiding, all of which may alert you that something is wrong.

However, if you feel like your cat is not themselves, it could mean something serious going on. Luckily, there are some signs that you should never ignore. If you notice them in your cat, you should take them to the vet as soon as possible.

Here is a list of cat emergency situations that point towards the immediate need for a vet checkup:

1. Abnormal Litter Box Behavior

You should always observe the litter box behavior of your feline pets as much as you can, especially if you have a male cat. Urinating or pooping outside of the litter box can indicate a serious problem.

Moreover, if they excessively cry while scratching their liter, then that also means that you must see the vet as soon as possible.

2. Repeated Vomiting

Though cats tend to vomit out their food and hair normally, you should see the vet as soon as you can if it is excessive vomiting.

This is especially true if you notice that they are not urinating, eating, or drinking properly since that could indicate a medical emergency.

3. Overwhelming Fatigue

Cats generally tend to be sedentary animals that prefer to rest as much as they can. However, if you notice that this behavior is excessive and your cat no longer gets excited or worked up for things they normally did, then you should take them to a vet.

Additionally, if you notice them sleeping for hours in strange places, then also you must get them checked.

4. Paralysis in One or More Limbs

If you notice that your cat has paralysis in or more of their limbs, you must immediately take them to the vet. The paralysis could indicate a heart or clotting issue.

5. Sudden Change in Appetite

You probably know by now what foods your cats like. However, if you notice that they are being particularly finicky and are eating too little or too much of the same food they used to have, then it might indicate an undiagnosed health problem.

6. Dragging Back Legs

Aortic thromboembolism is a condition where a blood clot develops in the back legs of cats with heart diseases. As a result, they begin dragging their back legs. This paralysis and distress mean that you must go to the vet right away.

7. Unusual Growth or Lumps

Though unusual growths and lumps may be harmless and benign, it is still important to get them checked by a vet. This could indicate a serious problem or may be causing them discomfort or pain.

8. Poisoning

If your cat has eaten something potentially dangerous and poisonous, don’t wait for signs of distress or poisoning. To be on the safer side, you must take them to the vet immediately.

Even if you are unsure whether they have ingested something poisonous, it’s always best to be safe than sorry.

9. Coughing or Breathing Problems

Any sign of breathing problems or coughing should be taken seriously by pet owners. If you notice such issues, check your cat’s tongue and gums to see if they have a blue tinge.

Then, take them to the vet. Such problems normally indicate a serious medical condition, such as cancer, respiratory disease, or parasites.

10. Heatstroke

If you live in a hot climate and notice that your cats are breathing from their mouths and not their nose, it might indicate a heatstroke. In such cases, you must take them to the vet immediately.

11. Eye or Nose Discharge

Discharge from the eyes and nose, along with panting, sneezing, or trouble breathing can indicate a respiratory infection. You should take your cat to the vet as soon as possible as such conditions can get fatal if left untreated.

12. After a Major Trauma

If your cat has been struck by a car or fought with another cat, they may be experiencing trauma. It is always best to go to the vet in such cases, even if you don’t see any noticeable damage.

This is because even if your cat seems fine, it might be suffering from an internal injury.

13. Long-Lasting Abdominal Discomfort

If your cat arches their back or is panting heavily, it may have abdominal pain or discomfort. Cats experience abdominal discomfort frequently and for many reasons.

As common as it might be, it’s important to get still your cat checked up by a vet if it is lasting for longer than half an hour.

14. Diarrhea or Problem in Urinating

If your cat has one episode of diarrhea, then you should wait and see if their condition improves. If they have consistent episodes of diarrhea, then you must take them to the vet before they get too dehydrated.

15. Sudden and Unexplained Change in Behavior

If you notice any sudden and unexplained changes in your cat’s behavior, then that might warrant a visit to the vet. You should monitor their symptoms and behavior; if it persists for several days, then taking them to the vet might be the best option.

How Often to Take Cat to Vet?

Besides these warning signs, you should also consider taking your cat for regular visits to the vet. Such checkups will allow the vet to monitor your cat’s health at all times and look for internal signs of a serious condition.

It is recommended that all pets must see their veterinarian at least once a year. If your cat has specific needs, it might need to go to the vet more often.

The exact amount of times they should go to the vet depends on several factors, including your cat’s age, lifestyle, behavior, and where they live.

It goes without saying, but you should take your kitten or cat to the vet for all rounds of their vaccine. When your cat turns eight years old, they are considered a senior cat. For such felines, regular visits to the vet are necessary.

You will need to monitor your senior cat’s behaviors and report them to the vet to ensure that their health is on the right track.

When to Take Cat to the Vet for Not Eating

Cats are notoriously finicky and picky about their food. However, this should not be the only reason why they are not eating. If your cat is not eating the food, they typically eat, that could potentially be a cause for concern.

It is important to consistently monitor your cat’s eating habits to be sure of why they are not eating.

The most common reason why your cat is not eating anything is likely due to an underlying medical condition or illness. However, there could be other reasons affecting their appetite as well, which is why you should monitor your cat’s behavior closely.

These are some of the common reasons why your cat is not eating:

Any illness or toothache, such as an oral tumor, inflamed gums, or a broken tooth, can make chewing or swallowing painful
A kidney problem or disease
Pancreatitis
Indigestion or constipation
Anxiety, stress, or depression
Slowed down metabolism
Gastrointestinal issues
They might be full or are not liking the new food they have been given

Since most of these reasons are serious medical conditions, it is important that you seek veterinary care for your cat as soon as you can. Cats can typically go without eating food for two weeks and without drinking water for up to three days.

However, you should not let them get to this point because they will get weaker by the day.

This is why it is important to take your cat to the vet if they are not eating anything for longer than 24 hours. During this time, you should also monitor your cat’s behavior and report them to the vet.

They will then successfully diagnose the problem and help devise a treatment plan for your pet cat.

How Many Times Do We Take Our Cat for Vaccine?

Vaccinations are injections that contain molecules that help build the immune system and allow them to fight off specific diseases and bacteria. They are a proven way of combating serious medical conditions that can potentially strike your cat.

This is why some vaccines are absolutely necessary and important to be given to your cats.

However, knowing which ones to get and how to schedule these vaccines can often get confusing. This often depends on multiple factors and features of the cat, including their genes, age, overall health, where they live, and lifestyle.

For this reason, you must consult your vet and tell them about these factors, who will then be able to tell you which exact vaccines to get for your kitty and how many times you will need to come in for the vaccine shots.

Here are some general things to know about vaccinations for cats:

When to Give Vaccines

When kittens turn six to eight weeks old, they should start getting their first vaccination shots. They should get these shots up to 16 weeks of age.

These shots are to be given in between intervals of three to four weeks. After this, they will need to wait for a year before getting further vaccinations.

For adult cats that are over three years of age require vaccine shots less often, such as every year or three years. However, this also largely depends on the vaccine and how long it is made to last.

When cats are between the ages of eight and ten years, this is when all vaccines are discontinued.

Which Vaccines to Give Cats?

There are some vaccines that are recommended for all cats. They include the following:

1. Rabies

Though this disease is more common in dogs, it can still occur in cats, which can transfer to humans. This is why cats need to be vaccinated with rabies shots to protect them from this disease.

2. Panleukopenia (also known as feline distemper)

Feline Panleukopenia is a common and fatal disease in cats that includes hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. This condition often kills most cats, which is why vaccination against this virus is necessary.

It can prove to be quite effective against this feline disease’s protection and control, especially considering that it is also highly contagious.

3. Feline calicivirus

The vaccines for this disease and feline herpes tend to be administered in conjunction. Since these diseases are the main causes of respiratory problems in cats, it’s important to give them this vaccine as soon as you can.

This virus is also quite contagious as it can easily be transmitted from one cat to another. Although the vaccination will not protect you completely from this disease, it can help to decrease the symptoms and make the condition less bad significantly.

4. Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)

This is a common disease that can be transmitted easily through close contact, shared grooming, fighting, sharing of water and food bowls. In fact, some kittens may also get this disease from the queen after birth.

Protection against this disease is necessary because it can cause severe problems and prove fatal in some cases.

Such vaccines are effective in protecting against the symptoms and severity of the disease. Since younger cats are more susceptible to feline leukemia, it is recommended that all cats be given this shot of vaccine.

Side Effects of Vaccines for Cats

In some cases, cats might experience side effects of the vaccines they are given. This is entirely normal; however, if it persists, then you should let your vet know about it. Reactions of vaccines are short-lived and minor.

Be on the lookout for the side effects. Some of the common side effects of vaccines include the following:

Fever
Fatigue and lethargy
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Swelling and redness around the injection site
Hives
Loss of appetite

Final Words

Having a friendly and mutual relationship with your vet is absolutely necessary from the time you get your cat. This is because, through regular checkups, your cat will be safe and healthy. Moreover, the vet can also recommend the right vaccines and treatment if necessary.

When you feel like your cat is not behaving like they normally do or showing signs of discomfort, it could mean that your cat might need to be checked. Look out for these signs in your cats. If you notice them, take your cat to the vet immediately:

Howling, crying, and excessive sleeping
Lack or too much appetite
Abnormal behavior
Unusual growth or lumps
Paralysis of limps
Lack of urination or abnormal litter behavior
Coughing or breathing problems
Discharge from eyes and ears
Heatstroke
Excessive fatigue

It is always best to err on the side of caution and take your cat to the vet whenever you feel like it is necessary or something seems off. When in doubt, take your cat to the emergency.

Your vet will clearly let you know what happened and what needs to be done. Only you can make this decision for your cat, so make the smart and safer one.

Alice

Hi !!! I am Alice. The love of pet animals especially the bonding with cats inspired me to write. I am a trained specialist with depth knowledge about cat, their food habits, their behavior and how to take care of cats. Here at www.petcatinfo , me and my team members tried our best to share the information about cats.