Feline health examination: How often should cats receive wellness exams?
Image: edwards.af.mil The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) jointly issued new " Feline Life Stages Guidelines ". Among the topics explored in the guidelines is the frequency with which cats should receive wellness examinations. How often should cats receive a wellness examination by their veterinarian? The panel which issued the guidelines agreed that all cats should receive wellness exams at least once yearly. The guidelines also allow for the fact that senior and geriatic cats probably need more frequent examinations, as do cats which have medical or behavioral problems. The AAFP guidelines also note the fact that many veterinarians advise semi-annual examinations for cats of all ages. The guidelines recognize that "further research is needed to identify the optimal examination schedule to maximize the health and longevity of the cat" but also point out that "changes in
