Your baby kitty needs a check-up, and you're a little nervous. On your first visit to the veterinarian, your vet will be your guide. She'll give you some basic information, and most likely will administer a fairly standard check-up routine. Typically, towards the end of the check-up, she will ask if you have any questions.

Up to 90% of the information you want and need, will be the answers to the questions you ask. By this time, both you and your cat will be a bit stressed, and ready to go home. But if you're prepared, you will know what questions to ask and not be so overwhelmed that you draw a blank. This is your opportunity to learn what you want to know, so write the questions down beforehand, and you will have a list. Amazing, how this works.

It's helpful for both you and the health of your cat to spark a dialogue with your vet and learn what you can do to maintain your cat's good health. So much information on a cat's health, diet, vaccinations, and manufactured scares is generated for fear and profit. Listen to what your vet has to say on any of these issues. Here are a few standard and helpful questions to include on your list. The list is not inclusive and you're sure to have some questions of your own.

Ask about vaccinations. What are the options for type and scheduling? What risks are involved? What does your vet recommend?

There are a number of questions concerning diet and nutrition. Does your vet recommend a particular brand of commercial cat food? What about alternatives such as table scraps, snacks, homemade cat food, raw meat, etc.?

Ask your vet about common mistakes new cat owners make. What can you do to avoid them?  Be sure to include emergency procedures and how your vet handles them, should you need them in the future.

There are a plethora of choices of litter and litter boxes. Your vet will help narrow them down for you.

Be sure to ask about common diseases that may affect your kitty. Ask about the early signs that you can detect to take immediate action. You may save your cat's life one day.

The above list is a good starting point. More questions will occur to you as you write. There's no question concerning your cat's health that can't be asked.