Before the appointment
Keep a brief mental note in the days before the visit: has the cat's appetite, thirst, weight, or litter box behaviour changed? These are the questions the vet will ask, and specific observations ("drinking noticeably more for about two weeks") are more useful than general impressions. If you have noticed anything unusual — even if you are unsure whether it is significant — mention it. The signs it is time to call the vet guide lists the indicators that warrant an urgent call rather than waiting for a scheduled check-up.
Bring the cat in a secure carrier lined with a familiar-smelling blanket. Covering the carrier with a cloth reduces visual stimulation and lowers stress. Arriving a few minutes early and sitting away from dogs in the waiting room also helps.
What the vet examines
The cat is weighed and the vet assigns a body condition score (BCS) — typically on a 1–9 scale, where 1 is severely underweight and 9 is severely obese. Ideal is 4–5. BCS accounts for frame size in a way raw weight cannot. Changes in BCS over successive visits are an early signal for metabolic or dietary issues. Our feeding guide includes the BCS chart and explains how to assess it at home.
The vet checks for ocular discharge, conjunctival redness, cloudiness, and pupil symmetry. Ears are examined for discharge, odour, and signs of infection or mite infestation. The nasal passages are assessed for symmetry and any discharge.
Dental disease affects the majority of cats over 3 years and is a leading source of chronic pain that owners often miss. The vet inspects teeth for tartar, gingivitis, and feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORLs). Gum colour is also assessed — pale gums may indicate anaemia; bright red gums can suggest stomatitis or toxin exposure. Our cat dental care guide explains at-home preventive steps.
Auscultation with a stethoscope assesses heart rate, rhythm, and murmur presence. Lung fields are checked for crackles, wheezes, or reduced breath sounds that may indicate fluid, lower airway disease, or pleural effusion. Cats can have significant cardiac disease (especially hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) with no owner-visible signs until late-stage.
Gentle palpation of the abdomen allows the vet to assess kidney size and shape, intestinal wall thickness, bladder fullness, and the presence of any masses. Asymmetric or small kidneys may indicate chronic kidney disease. Thickened intestinal loops in older cats often prompt further investigation for inflammatory bowel disease or lymphoma.
The submandibular, prescapular, and inguinal lymph nodes are palpated for enlargement. Generalised lymphadenopathy in cats is a significant finding that warrants follow-up, as it can indicate lymphoma or systemic infection.
The coat is checked for symmetrical hair loss, over-grooming patterns, parasites, and skin lesion distribution. A dull, unkempt coat in a cat that previously groomed well is a non-specific but important sign of systemic illness or pain.
The vet reviews vaccination history and administers any boosters due. Current flea, tick, and worm prevention products are discussed in relation to the cat's lifestyle. See our cat vaccinations guide for the full UK core and non-core schedule.
Blood tests and additional diagnostics
A physical examination alone cannot detect early organ dysfunction. From age 7, the AAHA/AAFP feline life stage guidelines recommend regular bloodwork including kidney function (creatinine, SDMA), liver enzymes, thyroid function (T4), and a complete blood count. Early detection of conditions like CKD and hyperthyroidism dramatically improves the ability to slow progression with diet and medication.
Blood pressure measurement is also recommended from age 7 — hypertension is common in senior cats and causes retinal damage and neurological signs if untreated.
After the appointment
Ask for a written summary or use the practice's client portal to note any findings, weight trends, and next due dates for vaccinations and parasite treatment. Building a record across visits lets you and your vet spot trends that might not be obvious at a single appointment.