At first glance, cats may seem highly independent with little to no maintenance required. However, as with all pets, it’s important to know how to tell if your cat is sick. When you see signs a cat is sick, it’s time to book a vet appointment.
In addition, there are also times when your feline companion may just need vaccination updates, parasite prevention, and other preventative care measures to keep them healthy and happy.
In this complete guide by Sploot Vets, we explore the most common scenarios wherein you’d need to bring your cat to the vet, covering BOTH preventative needs and urgent care cases.
When Should a Cat See the Vet?
There are 4 main instances when a cat should go to the vet:
- When growing up (kitten exams) or after getting adopted
- When it’s time for their regular cat wellness exam & cat vaccine updates
- When the cat is sick, injured, or in pain, requiring urgent care or emergency vet services
- When the cat is about to travel or go to pet boarding
I. The First Vet Visit: for Kittens & Newly Adopted Cats
Bringing a new kitten or adult cat into the household? Before planning how to introduce your cat to other pets in the family, it would be best to take your new kitten or cat to the vet first. This ensures that your new pet has a clean bill of health before interacting with your other pets.
First Vet Visits for Kittens
Kittens undergo one or more kitten exams (physical exams for kittens), depending on their age, prior vaccinations, and health status. These exams allow vets to administer cat vaccines suitable to the kitten’s age — while also monitoring their growth and development.
Note: If you’re raising a kitten for the first time, vets would also be happy to discuss recommended food, home preparation, and so on.
→ Learn more - How to Take Care of a New Kitten: The First Year [Vet-Approved]
First Vet Visits for Adopted Cats
Similar to new kittens, a newly adopted adult cat also goes through one or more pet wellness exams or physical exams, depending on their health condition upon adoption. If they have outdated vaccinations or an unclear/absent vaccination record, the veterinarian will also recommend a vaccine schedule for your newly adopted cat.
II. Preventative Care: How Often Should a Cat See the Vet?
Once your cat reaches adulthood, it’s recommended to bring your cat to the vet every year, for a pet wellness exam. These exams are the foundation of great preventative care, facilitating the early detection of health issues and ensuring overall well-being. If your cat is due for a vaccination update, vets can also vaccinate your cat during your pet’s annual wellness exam.
III. Veterinary Treatment: How to Tell If Your Cat is Sick or In Pain
Each cat has its own personality and level of trust towards their owners. In general, however, cats instinctively try to hide their pain or sickness. This is why cat owners need to be aware of the many different signs a cat is in pain or sick, which can be subtle. If you see any of the following, contact your vet:
1. Hiding
Cats often hide when they’re feeling unwell or in pain as a way to protect themselves. If your cat is spending more time in secluded spots, it could be a sign of illness or not feeling well.
2. Aggression or Irritability
When a cat is sick or in pain, it may become more aggressive or irritable than usual. This behavior is often a response to discomfort or stress. Cats may become particularly aggressive when they are handled on a specific part that is painful.
3. Restlessness or Inability to Sleep
Cats in pain may struggle to find a comfortable position or stay asleep. Restlessness and frequent changes in sleeping spots can indicate discomfort.
4. Lessened Activity or Weakness
A decrease in activity levels or noticeable weakness can be signs that your cat is sick or not feeling well. They might avoid play and seem lethargic, even during the hours of the day when they used to be active.
5. Decreased Appetite
If your cat is eating less, skipping meals, or exhibiting picky eating, this may be a sign that the cat is sick. Cats are also likely to have decreased appetite when they have gastrointestinal issues, which can cause nausea or abdominal pain, or cat dental problems, which can cause pain when chewing.
Sploot veterinarian, Dr. Berns, lists further clues that can be a hint of dental issues: “When your cat is experiencing dental issues, you may notice them dropping their food, chewing on only one side of their mouth, excessive drooling, pawing/scratching at their face/mouth, or choosing to eat soft food and nothing hard.”
6. Gastrointestinal Disturbances
Gastrointestinal disturbances, such as vomiting, diarrhea, coughing hairballs too frequently, or changes in stool consistency, often indicate that something is wrong with a cat’s health. These symptoms can result from a range of issues, including infections, food intolerances, parasites, or poisoning. If your cat experiences vomiting or diarrhea for more than 12 hours, contact an urgent care vet.
7. Limping or Favoring Limbs
Limping or favoring a limb can indicate pain due to injuries like sprains, fractures, or burnt paws. It may also be due to joint issues like arthritis. If your cat is reluctant to put weight on a leg or is moving unevenly, you may need to contact an urgent care vet.
8. Rapid or Slower Breathing
Shallow, rapid breathing in cats can result from pain, exertion, low oxygen, and respiratory issues. If this leads to panting, it often indicates higher distress. Conversely, slower, labored breathing may signal respiratory or chest problems. Such changes to breathing are generally considered a pet emergency; contact a vet immediately.
9. Changes in Grooming Habits
Any noticeable changes in grooming habits can be a sign of underlying health problems. Cats may groom less or excessively when they're not feeling well. Decreased grooming may also be a sign of joint pain or loss of mobility, especially in older cats.
10. Itching, Skin Changes, Bald Spots, & Discharge
Persistent itching, loss of fur, and/or other changes to a cat’s skin can indicate a number of health issues like allergies, ringworm, flea or tick infestations, mange, and skin infections.
However, if itching is localized to parts like the eyes or ears, and accompanied by inflammation or discharge, this can mean that your cat is suffering from an eye or ear infection.
IV. Before Traveling with a Cat or Cat Boarding
It’s always best to consult a vet prior to traveling with a cat, especially if you will be traveling with a cat by plane or by car over long distances. A trusted vet can assess if your cat needs any vaccinations for the trip or a calming aid; vets can also give you tips regarding the needed paperwork for flying or crossing a state border with your cat.
If you opt for cat boarding instead of getting someone to look after your cat or traveling with your cat, make sure to see a vet in advance. Many cat boarding establishments require updated vaccinations (e.g. rabies, FVRCP, FelV) — some may also require a clean bill of health, especially for new boarders. Sploot veterinarian Dr. Berns also states: “For cats that get stressed out easily, oral sedatives can be helpful when boarding or away from their owners.”
- → Learn more - How to Prepare for Pet Boarding
- → Learn more - The 4 Best Cat Boarding Establishments in Denver, CO
- → Learn more - The 4 Best Cat Boarding Establishments in Chicago, IL
V. Before AND After Veterinary Surgery
Whether your cat is getting spayed, neutered, laparoscopic surgery, mass removals, bladder stone removals, or other types of veterinary surgery, your cat would need a pre-surgical and post-surgical consultation.
Pre-surgical consultations include diagnostic tests (if needed), along with an assessment of your cat’s health to see if they are fit for surgery.
Meanwhile, post-surgical consultations will ensure that your cat is healing properly after surgery. During this visit, veterinarians may either discontinue or extend the use of medications like painkillers or anti-inflammatories, depending on what your cat needs.
Final Thoughts: Finding the Best Cat Vet
Look forward to calmer vet visits with your cat by going to a Fear Free vet like Sploot Veterinary Care. At Sploot, we ensure your cat’s comfort with our serene modern clinics, private exam rooms, FREE treats from the treat bar, and our Fear Free Certified medical team.
We have numerous vet clinics in Denver and Chicago offering all-in-one care, with convenient scheduled, same-day, or drop-off appointment availability. Book an appointment online or through the Sploot Vets app!
Till next time, we’re with you every pounce of the way!
