How often should a cat go to the vet?

By the MeowWise team · Last updated 8 October 2026

Every cat needs a full veterinary checkup at least once a year. Kittens need a series of visits in their first months for vaccines and neutering. From age 10, the 2021 AAFP Feline Senior Care Guidelines recommend a visit every six months, and every four months for cats over 15. Cats with ongoing health problems may need to go more often.

Why yearly visits matter even for a healthy cat

Cats hide illness and pain very well, and many of the diseases that affect them develop slowly. A full physical examination picks up things owners rarely notice at home: a small weight loss, a heart murmur, a thyroid lump, a painful tooth, or stiff joints. The 2021 AAHA/AAFP guidelines put it simply: all cats need a full, thorough physical examination, whatever their life stage.

Two examples show why early detection pays off:

• Dental disease: Cornell reports studies finding that 50 to 90% of cats over four years old have some form of dental disease, which can be painful enough to stop a cat eating.
• Chronic kidney disease: Cornell estimates it affects up to 40% of cats over 10 and 80% of cats over 15, and in the early stages there are often no signs at all. Blood and urine tests can find it before the cat looks ill.

Why visits become more frequent after 10

A year is a long time in an older cat's life. Problems such as kidney disease, an overactive thyroid, diabetes and high blood pressure become far more common with age and can progress noticeably within months. That is why the AAFP's senior guidelines shorten the interval to six months from age 10 and four months after 15. These visits usually include weighing, a full exam, blood pressure, and blood and urine tests at intervals your vet recommends.

Does an indoor cat still need checkups?

Yes. Indoor cats are protected from some risks such as traffic and fights, but they are not protected from dental disease, kidney disease, obesity, diabetes or heart disease. The AAHA/AAFP vaccination guidelines also recommend core vaccines for all pet cats, indoor or not.

When not to wait for the next checkup

Book a visit between checkups if your cat is eating, drinking or peeing more or less than usual, losing weight, hiding, grooming less, being sick repeatedly, or toileting outside the box. Some signs need a vet immediately, including straining to pee with little or no urine, difficulty breathing and eating a lily. See emergency signs.

Making vet visits less stressful

• Leave the carrier out at home with a comfortable bed in it, so it is not only linked to vet trips.
• Use a sturdy carrier that opens from the top as well as the front, so the cat can be examined without being pulled out.
• Cover the carrier with a towel in the car and in the waiting room.
• Ask whether your clinic has cat only waiting areas or quieter appointment times.
• Bring notes on appetite, weight, thirst, litter habits and behavior; small changes are useful clues.

General education, not veterinary advice. If you are worried about your cat, contact your veterinarian; in an emergency, go to the nearest emergency vet.