Annual Check-Ups for Cats

Age, breed, and ongoing medical concerns all play a role in determining how often you should take your cat to the vet. For healthy cats, once a year is the norm, but there are exceptions.

Kittens require more vet visits for things like vaccinations and desexing, which usually takes place before they hit puberty at around six months. In early adulthood (one to five years), vaccination boosters will take place at your cat’s annual check-up, and many vets also recommend a cat routine wellness check at six-monthly intervals. 

Your cat may require more than an annual health check-up as they mature. Those over ten years should have biannual vet visits to check for conditions such as arthritis, and yearly blood tests to monitor for early signs of illness.

The importance of regular vet check-ups for cats cannot be underestimated. With an annual check-up for your cat, your vet can perform a thorough examination and potentially spot any signs of disease early. 

Your vet will usually check the following:

General health

At your cat’s annual check-up, the vet will look at their general health. This will typically involve the following:

• Body temperature check
• Heart rate, rhythm, and listening for any murmurs
• Eye and ear examinations
• Joints and movement check and gait evaluation
• Neurological reflexes
• Palpation of the abdomen

Teeth

Cat health checks also include an oral examination to determine any dental issues. Cats are great at masking pain and discomfort. Your vet may find signs of dental disease or other issues, even if your feisty feline appears healthy. Between your cat’s annual check-ups, you can watch for signs, including:

• Drooling
• Bad breath
• Bleeding gums
• Pawing at the mouth
• Discomfort while eating
• Reduced appetite or rapid weight loss 
• Reduced grooming activity

If you think your cat might have dental issues, it’s best to get them treated as early as possible, so if you notice these signs, you should book an extra vet visit.

Fleas and worms

You’ve already got one pet – no one wants passengers, which is where routine flea  and worming treatment comes in. It’s a vital part of maintaining a healthy cat, and at your cat’s annual check-up, the vet will be able to recommend the best product for your cat. 

It may be that the best treatment for your cat isn’t available over the counter, in which case your vet can prescribe medication that covers 12 months of treatment. Many treatments are administered monthly, which you can do yourself at home.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations help protect your cat against a variety of diseases, some of which can pose a major risk if contracted. They also protect other cats by reducing the risk of those diseases being spread. 

Cats will have their primary vaccinations at around eight weeks, with a follow-up three to four weeks later. After this, they will typically only need a yearly booster, which is usually given at your cat’s annual check-up.

Weight

As part of a cat’s annual routine wellness exam, your vet will assess their weight and body shape. To do this, your vet will weigh your cat on a scale and then measure its back and waist to check for fatty deposits. 

If your cat is under or overweight, your vet may recommend dietary changes and a routine to get them back into pouncing shape. 

Lumps

Your vet will also perform a thorough physical exam to check for any lumps or bumps. If they find any, they’ll determine the cause. Benign (non-cancerous) lumps could be caused by injury, infection, cyst, lipoma, or skin tag.

Many of these are harmless, although some might cause discomfort, which could lead your vet to suggest removal. If a lump is suspected to be malignant (cancerous), your vet will recommend more detailed tests.

Neutering

Unless you plan to breed your cat, most will undergo a desexing procedure known as neutering. Cats.org advises that kittens can start reproducing at just four months old. It’s recommended you neuter them at that age, or before they reach puberty. 

Neutering is a one-off procedure performed under general anaesthetic, so your cat won’t feel any pain during the procedure. They’ll be up and about in a few hours, and the wound should heal within 10 days. 

If required, your vet should prescribe pain medication, and you’ll likely be advised to keep your cat indoors for a few days while they heal.

Annual cat check-up costs can vary depending on which vets you use and any additional treatments your cat might need. The average cost for a cat's annual check-up is typically between £30 and £60. Other costs you may need to budget for include:

• Vaccinations – from around £50 to £75
• Neutering / spaying – approximately £90 for a tom cat and £150 for a female cat
• Pregnancy – if your cat gets pregnant, costs could be as high as £500 or more if they need a caesarean
• Dental care – if your cat needs dental treatment, costs can average around £350 per treatment
• Euthanasia – the average cost for guiding your cat over the rainbow bridge ranges from £80 to £150

(Costs correct as of November 2025).

As your cat matures, your vet may recommend more frequent health checks. This is because wellness screenings for mature cats are more complex, as there are more potential issues your vet will need to check for. 

Your vet may want to check things like blood pressure and perform a more thorough examination of their joints. They may also suggest blood or urine tests – you may be asked to bring a urine sample. These can help screen for early signs of disease, many of which are treatable if caught early enough.

Check-ups are also a good opportunity to discuss your concerns about your senior cat with your vet. Just like humans, as cats age, they can develop issues such as memory loss, loss of vision, aches and pains, and organ complaints. Note any changes in behaviour before your vet visit, however small they may seem.

Vet visits can be stressful for your cat if they’re not prepared. You can reduce this stress by prepping your cat for their annual check-up in several ways:

Visit the vet regularly

Cat annual check-ups are a good way to introduce your cat to the vet when they are not ill, so they don’t associate it exclusively with times when they feel unwell or stressed. 

You can also pop in occasionally without an appointment – most vet nurses and receptionists will welcome you and provide fuss (and maybe even treats) to help acclimatise your cat to the vet clinic.

Make your cat comfortable

You will almost certainly need to have your cat in a carrier when they visit the vets, so make sure they’re comfortable with this before your first visit. It’s a good idea to practice traveling with your cat  in a carrier anyway, so you can tackle two things at once.

Start by feeding them in the carrier occasionally with the door open, then progress to closing the door, moving the carrier while they’re inside, having the carrier in the car, driving a short distance, etc. 

The slower you can go, the less stressful the experience will be for your cat. Be sure the carrier is the correct size and the door can be securely closed. You could put a favourite blanket or toy in the carrier to help them feel more at home.

Minimise stress

No matter how well-prepared your cat is for their annual check-up, some cats just can’t cope with a vet visit without extra help. If your cat is anxious, they may benefit from medication to help them cope with a vet visit. You can also help by minimising stress at home before and after a vet visit, so they aren’t already on high alert.