Vet Care

Veterinary Costs

While most cat-owners can consider the everyday costs, it is the out-of-the-ordinary expenses that an owner may not be prepared for. .Veterinary bills can also be expensive. The predictable regular routine needs, such as vaccinations and worming, are OK to budget for, but it is the unexpected such as road accidents that are difficult to manage. The treatment associated with a road accident can run into hundreds of pounds, and most cat-owners are now considering pet insurance, which helps cover the unexpected. There are plenty of organisations around that offer this, including PDSA Petsurance, so shop around for the best policy for you. It is likely that the treatment a cat needs will be cheaper overall than that required by a dog.

Essential veterinary care

A Vaccination Programme
This varies according to past history and the age of your cat. Prevention of infectious diseases through vaccinations is an essential part of cat care and should be begun as early as possible. Your pet can be vaccinated against killer diseases, such as feline leukaemia, feline influenza ('cat flu'), feline infectious enteritis and the less common feline chlamydial infection. Your cat will also need annual boosters.

If you are planning to take your pet abroad, remember your cat will need additional vaccinations and health checks.

Neutering Programme
Part of the decision as to whether you want a male or a female cat depends on personal preference. All cats should be neutered, but cat castration is a cheaper option that neutering a queen (the word for a female cat). Your vet will be able to give you advice on the best age to neuter your cat.

Females are sexually mature at 6-9 months, with males reaching maturity later. Female cats remain on heat for approximately three weeks repeatedly until they become pregnant, or as the year advances. Getting your female cat neutered, unless you are intending to breed from your cat with absolute certainty of good homes for the kittens, is essential, as the average number of offspring produced by a cat is four, but it can be as many as eight. Neutering females also reduces the incidence of mammary tumours later on in life.

Un-neutered male cats, as well as fathering kittens, get involved in more fights, can spray urine to mark their territory and they tend to roam more. Fighting can lead to abscesses, as well as increasing the chance of developing other diseases spread through saliva. A roaming cat will also be more likely to be involved in a road traffic accident.