Has Your Cat Fallen Behind on Annual Wellness Exams and Vaccinations?
Life happens. Between work, family, and the everyday chaos of… well, everything, it’s easy to let time slip by. One day you realize your cat hasn’t been in for their annual wellness exam or a cat vet checkup in a year… or two… or maybe longer.
Here’s the important thing to know: your veterinarian isn’t here to judge you. You don’t need to feel embarrassed or guilty if your cat is overdue on vaccinations or has missed a wellness visit. What matters most is getting your cat back on track now — and it’s absolutely not too late.
Right now, Pieper Veterinary Hospitals is offering a free first wellness exam for indoor cats. Book by September 30 and enter to win a LitterBot.”
You’re Not Alone
If you’ve fallen behind on your cat’s routine vet checkups, you’re in good company. Many caring, responsible pet parents do. Maybe your cat bolts under the bed the second they see the carrier. Maybe you thought, “They’re an indoor cat, they’re safe.” Or maybe life just got busy, and months turned into years before you realized your cat hasn’t had a wellness exam in quite a while.
The truth is, you’re not alone, and you don’t need to feel guilty. Cats are masters of disguise when it comes to health issues. Unlike dogs, they rarely show pain or weakness until a problem is advanced. That means even cats who seem perfectly fine at home may actually be hiding serious conditions.
Some of the most common illnesses veterinarians find during a routine cat vet checkup include:
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Kidney disease – one of the leading health issues in aging cats.
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Dental disease – painful infections that affect the mouth and can spread to the heart and kidneys.
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Diabetes – increasingly common in overweight and middle-aged cats.
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Hyperthyroidism – an overactive thyroid that can cause weight loss, heart issues, and restlessness.
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Cancer – which can sometimes be detected early through subtle lumps or changes.
The earlier these problems are discovered, the better the outcome. A simple cat wellness exam with updated vaccinations and basic lab work can mean the difference between catching a condition early — when it’s easier and less expensive to treat — versus waiting until your cat is seriously ill.
Skipping visits doesn’t make you a bad pet parent, it makes you human. The important thing is recognizing the gap and taking steps now to get your cat back on track.
Your Vet is On Your Team
One of the biggest worries for pet parents who have missed appointments is fear of being judged. But here’s the truth: veterinarians and their teams are not here to lecture you. They understand that life happens, and their job is to help you move forward.
When you bring your cat in after missing a year (or several) of care, the team will start where you are. They’ll begin with a gentle, thorough cat health checkup. This typically includes:
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A physical exam of your cat’s weight, eyes, ears, coat, teeth, and overall body condition.
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Listening to the heart and lungs to check for early signs of cardiac or respiratory issues.
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Checking for lumps, bumps, or changes in muscle tone.
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Updating any overdue cat vaccinations to protect against preventable diseases.
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Recommending screening tests such as bloodwork or a urinalysis, especially if your cat is older.
Just as importantly, your veterinarian will want to know about your cat’s daily life, their eating habits, energy levels, litter box use, and even personality changes. These details provide valuable clues about your cat’s health that you might not connect to medical issues.
Together, you and your veterinarian will build a plan that works for your cat and your budget. This may include preventive care, lifestyle adjustments, or recommended follow-up visits. What you won’t find? Guilt trips or shaming. The veterinary team’s only goal is to help your cat live a longer, healthier, happier life.
Think of your vet as a partner, not a critic. They’re on your team, and they’re here to support you no matter how long it’s been since your cat’s last visit.
Why Now is the Perfect Time
So why not wait until your cat seems sick to schedule care? Because by the time you notice something is wrong, many conditions are already advanced. Cats are excellent at hiding pain and visible symptoms often appear only when a disease has progressed.
Scheduling a routine cat wellness exam now gives you peace of mind and helps protect your cat’s future health. At an annual checkup, your veterinarian can:
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Catch hidden problems early: A small weight change, increased thirst, or subtle behavior shift may reveal conditions like diabetes or kidney disease.
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Update overdue vaccinations: Core vaccines help protect against serious, preventable illnesses such as rabies, feline distemper, and upper respiratory infections. Even indoor cats benefit, since viruses can travel on shoes, clothing, or through open windows.
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Give you a health baseline: By tracking weight, bloodwork, and other health markers yearly, your vet can spot trends long before they become emergencies.
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Provide personalized advice: Whether your cat is a playful kitten, a mellow middle-ager, or a senior with changing needs, your vet will offer tailored guidance on nutrition, exercise, and preventive care.
Preventive care doesn’t just protect your cat, it protects your wallet, too. Treating advanced illness often costs significantly more than maintaining routine cat wellness exams and vaccinations. A small investment in regular care can save you from the stress, worry, and expense of an emergency later on.
Most importantly, getting back on track today means more healthy, happy years with your cat. They don’t care if you’ve missed a year or two, they just care that you’re here for them now.
A Special Invitation from Pieper Veterinary Hospitals
If it’s been a while, now’s the perfect time to get back on track. Pieper Veterinary Hospitals is offering a free first cat wellness exam for cats who haven’t visited in over a year. Schedule your appointment before September 30, and you’ll also be entered to win a LitterBot automatic litter box.
Your cat doesn’t care about the time that’s passed — they just care that you’re here for them now. Let’s make this their healthiest year yet.