Your new kitten

Congratulations on your new kitten! We hope the following information will help ensure a long, healthy and happy relationship with the new member of your family.

Diet

What to feed your kitten is one of the first and most important decisions for the new cat owner. Your cat’s diet should be complete and balanced and cater for its age, size and activity level. There are a number of excellent quality premium foods now available. The vets and nurses can advise you about these.

Home prepared diets are also an option but care must be taken that the nutrients are complete and balanced. 

Vaccinations

We advise routine vaccination against the two flu viruses ( calicivirus and rhinotracheitis ) and feline panleukopaenia. The combined vaccine is called an F3.

Kitten vaccination is the most important and should be done as follows:

1^st vaccination at 6-8wks

2^nd at 10-12wks and

3^rd at 14-16wks.

This primary course is then followed by a yearly booster.

We also offer vaccination against feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) if required.

Worming

Worming should  be directed at roundworm, hookworm and tapeworm

and is most important when they are young kittens.

They should be wormed every two weeks until 12weeks of age, then monthly to 6months and every three months after that.

The Microchip

All newly owned kittens now need a microchip by law. It is the only permanent method of identification for your cat. This involves placing an identification chip the size of a rice grain under the skin between the shoulder blades. Desexing is the perfect time to do this. 

Desexing

This is strongly recommended for both males and females and the procedure should be done at 6 MONTHS of age.

Males are less likely to roam, fight, urine spray or contract transmissible viruses. They also will not add to continuing problem of unwanted kittens.

Females will not have heat periods or litters of kittens.

Dental care

Dental disease is probably the most common condition we see. Build up of calculus on the teeth and gingivitis inevitably leads to painful rotten teeth that need to be removed. Prevention is by far the best method of preventing this process.

RAW chicken wings fed from an early age are the simplest and most effective means of cleaning their teeth. Other options include other raw bones of appropriate size, “CET” chews, and home cleaning.

Behaviour and the well adjusted cat

Cats ARE difficult to train but many behavioural problems can be avoided by using simple methods to guide their behaviour and, most importantly with the use of ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT (see separate information sheet). This will provide entertainment and use up some of that excess energy. We can give you some ideas that may work for you.

Flea control

The inner city is a perfect environment for fleas and recent times have seen fleas in plague proportions. This is by far the most common cause of scratching, chewing, overgrooming and dermatitis (eczema). Fleas will easily set up residence and breed in the cleanest of homes.

Fortunately we now have flea control products that are safer, more effective and easier to use than ever before. We can advise you on what will work for your situation.