Caring for your new Kitten
Vaccination is the only protection against serious and sometimes fatal diseases. Cats should be vaccinated against Feline Enteritis, Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Chlamydia and Leukaemia Virus.
We recommend 1st F5 Vaccination at 6-8 weeks, 2nd Vaccination at 12-14 weeks, with annual boosters to maintain immunity.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is prevalent in this area so vaccination is strongly recommended. FIV is spread via saliva and bites from cats fighting.
To protect against FIV, kittens require 3 vaccines 2-4 weeks apart, followed by annual boosters. Cats older than 6 months require a blood test prior to vaccination.
The most common worms that affect cats in Australia are roundworm, hookworm, and tapeworm. Worms are a common cause of illness in pets, causing loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhoea, anaemia and even death.
Kittens should be wormed with an allwormer tablet at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks of age, then every month until 6 months of age and then every 3 months for life. We recommend Milbemax or Revolution.
Heartworm can affect cats and is spread by mosquitoes. However, it has a low prevalence here. Many monthly flea products also prevent heartworm. We recommend Revolution.
All kittens should be microchipped between 8 and 12 weeks of age. It is a permanent form of identification for your pet. It is separate from council registration.
Fleas are a problem all year round here. If they exist in the environment, they will find a way onto your cat.
Revolution is a monthly topical treatment which also covers roundworm, hookworm and heartworm. However, it does not cover tapeworm.
Comfortis treats fleas with a monthly tablet. (We are happy to administer it to your cat for you!)
Male and female cats should be desexed at the age of 5 to 6 months. This is at a time when your pet is approaching sexual maturity and females can begin to come on heat.
Desexing reduces the number of unwanted pregnancies and prevents roaming, fighting, urine spraying and night prowling.
Kittens should be fed 2 to 3 times per day. Adult cats prefer twice daily meals. We recommend a good quality dry food as the base of the diet e.g. Hills kitten food, with the addition of wet food or meats as occasional treats (not more than every 3 days). Chewy food such as raw chicken necks (or wings) fed weekly will help maintain healthy teeth for the life of your pet.
it is important that you provide environmental enrichment such as toys, scratching posts and of course lots of cuddles.