Cat health
Cat health: the routine care every cat needs
Cats hide illness well, so routine care matters more, not less. This guide covers the yearly exam, which feline vaccines are core, why dental disease is so common in cats, the subtle changes worth noting, and how to keep a record that makes vet visits shorter and better.
By the PetVitale editorial team · Last reviewed · Sources listed below
The short answer
- Healthy adult cats typically need a yearly exam; cats over 10 are senior and benefit from twice-yearly visits (VCA).
- Core cat vaccines per VCA: FVRCP and rabies, with FeLV treated as core for kittens and cats up to one year.
- Cornell reports that 50 to 90 percent of cats over four have some form of dental disease.
The yearly cat care routine
| Care item | Typical frequency | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness exam | Yearly; twice yearly after 10 | Cats hide pain and illness until it is advanced |
| Core vaccine boosters | Every 1 to 3 years, per vaccine and risk | Indoor cats still need rabies and FVRCP |
| Parasite prevention | Per product label and lifestyle | Fleas and worms reach indoor cats too |
| Dental check | At every exam; cleaning when recommended | Most cats over four have dental disease |
| Weight check | Every visit; monthly at home | Weight loss is an early sign of several feline diseases |
Frequencies are typical guidance from the sources below. Your veterinarian sets the schedule for your cat.
Core and non-core cat vaccines
VCA lists FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia) and rabies as core for every cat, and feline leukemia (FeLV) as core for kittens and cats up to one year, then by risk. Kittens start the series at 6 to 8 weeks and repeat every 3 to 4 weeks until 16 to 20 weeks. Low-risk indoor adults may move to a three-year interval for some vaccines; your vet decides based on exposure.
Subtle signs cats show
- Drinking or urinating more than usual, or going outside the litter box.
- Eating less, or chewing on one side and dropping food.
- Hiding more, grooming less, or a coat that looks unkempt.
- Weight loss with a normal or increased appetite.
- Vomiting more than occasionally; hairballs are not a full explanation.
- Straining in the litter box with little or no urine, which is an emergency, especially in male cats.
This is not a diagnostic list. A cat that cannot urinate, is open-mouth breathing or has collapsed needs an emergency clinic now.
Litter, diet and water
Litter box habits are the best daily health signal a cat gives. Scoop daily, note changes in volume or frequency, and provide one more box than you have cats. Many cats drink too little; wet food and a fountain help. Measure food rather than free-feeding, and log weight monthly so gradual change is visible.
What to keep in your cat's health record
- Vaccines: name, date given, next due date and the certificate.
- Medications and preventives: product, dose, start date and refill date.
- Weight at every visit, so a trend is visible before it becomes a problem.
- Visit notes and invoices, including which clinic and which vet.
- Lab results and imaging reports, even normal ones; they are the baseline the next result is compared against.
- Allergies, reactions and anything a new clinic or sitter should know on day one.
Questions pet parents ask
Sources
- Vaccines for cats — VCA Animal Hospitals
- Senior cat care — VCA Animal Hospitals
- Feline dental disease — Cornell Feline Health Center
- Vaccinations — American Veterinary Medical Association
Related guides and tools
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. Prices are published estimates that vary by clinic, region and your pet's needs — ask your veterinarian for a written estimate. PetVitale organizes your pet's records and reminders; it does not replace your vet.