Most people book a cat vet visit because something needs checking: a new kitten’s vaccinations, a senior cat who’s losing weight, a sudden change in toileting, or a routine health check that’s been put off. Cats often keep illness subtle until it’s well established, so a short appointment can carry a lot of weight.5
What helps is knowing what the vet is likely to do, what information to bring, and how to get your cat there with the least stress. The aim is a calm, efficient visit that catches problems early and keeps prevention on track.
Preparing for the vet visit
Choosing the right vet for your cat
Look for a clinic that handles cats gently and routinely, with staff who are comfortable examining cats in or near the carrier when needed. Cat-friendly handling isn’t about being “soft”; it’s about getting better information from a cat that feels safer, so the exam is more accurate and less rushed.6
Booking the appointment and preparing questions
Choose a time when your cat is usually quiet (often after a meal and rest), and write your questions down. Useful notes to bring include:
- Changes in appetite, water intake, weight, vomiting, stools or urination
- Any coughing, sneezing, noisy breathing, or bad breath
- Behaviour changes (hiding more, irritability, less grooming, new night waking)
- Flea, worming and vaccination dates (or the closest estimate)
Gathering records and medical history
If you’ve seen another clinic, bring vaccination history and any recent test results. If your cat takes medication or supplements, take photos of the labels (or bring the boxes). Clear timelines help the vet spot patterns that are hard to see in the consult room.
Transporting your cat
Selecting a suitable carrier
A sturdy carrier that opens from the top (or has a removable lid) makes handling easier and can reduce the struggle at the clinic. Many vets will examine a cat in the bottom half of a carrier if the top can be removed, which can be calmer for the cat and safer for everyone.6
Reducing stress during travel
Well before the appointment, leave the carrier out at home with familiar bedding inside, so it becomes part of the landscape rather than a sudden warning sign. On the day, a light towel over the carrier can reduce visual stress while still allowing good airflow.7
Some cats also respond to synthetic feline facial pheromone sprays used on the carrier or in the consult room, with clinical trials showing reduced stress in certain settings (transport and veterinary consultations). Ask your vet whether it suits your cat and your situation.8, 9
Safety in the car
Secure the carrier with a seatbelt or place it on the floor behind the front seat so it can’t slide. Don’t let your cat roam freely in the car. Keep the cabin cool and quiet, and allow extra time so you’re not rushing.
What to expect during the vet visit
The first few minutes
Most appointments begin with a short history: what you’ve noticed at home, how long it’s been going on, and what your cat’s daily routine looks like. Your vet will usually weigh your cat and may check temperature and heart and breathing rates, especially if your cat is unwell.
The physical exam
A routine exam commonly includes:
- Eyes, ears and nose
- Mouth and teeth
- Heart and lungs
- Abdomen (feeling for pain, masses, or enlarged organs)
- Skin and coat (including checking for fleas)
- Joints and general mobility
If your cat is anxious, the vet may adapt the exam: using towels for support, allowing your cat to stay in the carrier base, and handling in short, calm steps. This is standard cat-friendly practice, not a sign anything is “wrong” with your cat.6
Common tests the vet may recommend
Depending on age, symptoms and exam findings, your vet might suggest:
- Blood and urine tests (common for weight loss, drinking more, vomiting, or for senior health checks)
- Faecal testing for parasites
- Blood pressure checks (often in older cats)
- Dental assessment (and, if needed, dental x-rays under anaesthetic for a full evaluation)
Routine health checks and vaccinations in Australia
Core vaccines
In Australia, “core” cat vaccines commonly protect against feline panleukopenia and cat flu viruses (feline herpesvirus-1 and feline calicivirus). Your vet may refer to this as an F3 vaccination.4, 5
Non-core vaccines (risk-based)
Other vaccines may be recommended based on lifestyle and exposure risk. One common example is feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) vaccination for cats at ongoing risk of contact with other cats of unknown status. Your vet will weigh your cat’s risk and the likely benefit.1
Typical timing for kittens and adults
Schedules vary by product and individual risk, but widely used guidelines support:
- Kittens: a series starting around 6–9 weeks, with repeat doses every 3–4 weeks, and a final kitten dose at 16 weeks of age (or later).1
- First adult booster: usually at 12 months after the kitten course.1
- Ongoing boosters: often every 1–3 years for core vaccines, depending on the vaccine’s registered duration of immunity and your cat’s circumstances.5, 4
If you’re unsure what your cat has had, bring any records you can find. When history is unknown, vets may recommend restarting a course to ensure protection.5
Behaviour, diet and dental health: what’s worth raising in the consult
Behaviour changes that can signal illness
Quiet shifts matter in cats. Hiding more, avoiding jumping, changes in grooming, or new litter tray issues can reflect pain or medical disease as well as stress. Mention anything that’s new, even if it seems minor.
Diet and weight
Ask about an appropriate diet for your cat’s life stage (kitten, adult, senior), body condition and any medical conditions. If your cat’s weight is changing, a clear feeding history (brand, amount, treats, scavenging) helps your vet give practical advice.
Dental care
Dental disease is common in cats, particularly as they age, and it can be painful even when a cat continues eating. Studies report a high prevalence in cats over four years old, and problems can include gingivitis, periodontitis and tooth resorption.10
Home dental care (where tolerated), regular mouth checks, and timely professional treatment can prevent long-running pain and infection. If your cat has bad breath, drools, paws at the mouth, or chews oddly, flag it early.
After the visit: making follow-up simple
Understanding the plan
Before you leave, make sure you understand:
- What the vet thinks is most likely, and what they’re ruling out
- Which signs mean “monitor at home” versus “call us today”
- How and when to give medications (and what to do if a dose is missed)
- When results will be ready and how you’ll receive them
Monitoring at home
In the days after a visit, watch appetite, drinking, toileting, breathing effort and general energy. If your cat was vaccinated, mild sleepiness or brief soreness can happen, but vomiting, facial swelling, collapse, or breathing difficulty are urgent and should be treated as an emergency.
Reducing vet-visit anxiety over time
Practise the carrier when nothing is happening
Lift the carrier, walk it to the car, and bring it back inside without going anywhere. Done gently, this turns the carrier into a neutral object rather than a predictor of upheaval.7
Make the clinic experience more predictable
Cat-friendly handling approaches recommend allowing cats to remain in the carrier base where possible, using towels for security, and avoiding prolonged restraint. These small choices often lead to a faster, calmer exam with better-quality observations.6
Consider calming aids when appropriate
Pheromone products may help some cats during transport or in the consult room, but they’re not a cure-all. If your cat becomes highly distressed, ask your vet about a tailored plan, which may include pre-visit medication for safer, kinder handling.8, 9
References
- World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Vaccination Guidelines for Dogs and Cats (feline vaccination tables and booster guidance)
- WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines Group: compiled guidance on feline core vaccines, boosters and optional vaccines
- AAHA/AAFP Feline Vaccination Guidelines: Vaccination principles (series timing and booster concepts)
- Cat Protection Society of NSW: Vaccinations factsheet (Australian context and F3 core vaccines)
- RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase: What vaccinations should my cat receive?
- 2022 AAFP/ISFM Cat Friendly Veterinary Interaction Guidelines: approach and handling techniques
- AAFP/ISFM feline-friendly handling guidelines (carrier training, securing the carrier, covering to reduce visual stress)
- Randomised controlled pilot study: synthetic feline facial pheromone and stress during transport (PubMed)
- Randomised placebo-controlled trial: Feliway spray and stress during veterinary consultations (PubMed)
- Cornell Feline Health Center: Feline dental disease overview and prevalence
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom