Vaccinations
The standard vaccination is called an F3. It protects against Enteritis and 2 different cat flu viruses – Feline Rhinotracheitis and Feline Calicivirus. These vaccinations are given at 8 weeks and 12 weeks, then every year for continued protection.
A new vaccine has recently been released for the prevention of Feline AIDS, commonly known as FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus). It is administered as an initial series of three doses, two to four weeks apart. It is given to kittens at 8 weeks of age or older. Cats more than 6 months of age should be tested to ensure they are free of the AIDS virus before being vaccinated. An annual booster is also needed to ensure continued protection.
Worming
Gastrointestinal worms are dangerous to your kitten's health. Most kittens are infected early in life, especially with roundworms through their mother's milk. Kittens should be wormed:
- Every 2 weeks until 3 months old
- Every month until 6 months old
- Every 3 months for life
Pregnant and nursing queens should also be treated.
Various worming tablets, drops and pastes are available. Speak to our friendly staff to find out what product is best for your kitten.
Fleas
There are many different flea preparations available, some of which are combined with other parasite control. Prevention or early treatment is recommended since fleas reproduce at astounding rates. Ask your veterinarian for the most appropriate flea control for your kitten.
Heartworm
Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes. When a mosquito carrying the immature heartworm bites the cat, the immature heartworm can develop into large worms in the heart and vessels in the lungs. It’s a very rare problem for our cats in this area. However for those who are concerned, treatment can be relatively simple by using a monthly spot on such as Advocate.
Diet
Kittens have specific requirements, and it is important to feed a high quality kitten food, such as IAMS and Hills Science Diet, in order to meet these needs. Dry and tinned forms are available. Most kittens can eat the dry food by 8 weeks of age. If they are eating a balanced kitten food, they require no other supplements, including milk. In fact, some cats are lactose intolerant and develop diarrhoea if given milk. A ready supply of fresh water is highly recommended.
Kittens should have smaller meals more often, as a guide:
- 6 to 12 weeks – 3 to 4 feeds daily
- 3 to 6 months old – 2 to 3 feeds daily
- 6 months and adults – 2 feeds daily
It is important to train your kitten to eat raw chicken wings and necks from a young age. This is to keep their teeth and gums healthy throughout life. Chicken wings must be fed fresh and handled as for human consumption to avoid bacterial contamination and food poisoning. Discard any uneaten bones after 1 hour.
Desexing
Desexing will prevent any unwanted litters as well as undesired behaviours. Male kittens can start spraying to establish their territory from about 6 months of age. They will also fight and roam to satisfy the natural male urge to become dominant in their territory. Female kittens can come into season from about 5 months of age. They become vocal and restless when on heat. Breeding from your pet cat is strongly discouraged, since there are thousands of cats and kittens put down each year due to cats not being desexed.
To avoid these problems desexing of both males and females is recommended around 5 to 6 months of age. Some vets may recommend earlier desexing from 16 weeks of age. It is best to ask your own vet and be guided by their preference.
Identification
It is highly recommended to microchip your pet as microchips provide a permanent form of identification that cannot be changed or removed. This identification lasts for the life of your pet. In NSW, microchipping is compulsory for kittens. If your kitten is not microchipped, it can be done in a consultation with your veterinarian or at the same time as desexing. The microchip is the size of a grain of rice and is implanted between the shoulder blades. The number on the microchip is then registered on the Companion Animal Registry. Your kitten should also be registered with the local council.
In addition, pet tags are a good idea for wandering kittens. You can record your cat’s name, address and phone number, or the number of your vet for emergencies.
Socialisation & Training
Socialising your kitten with other kittens & owners is an important stage of their development. Up to the age of 14 to 16 weeks is their socialisation period, and what they are exposed to now will shape their future personality and behaviour.
Kittens can be trained to walk with a harness, to sit, and to fetch. Brief, fun lessons usually around 5-10 minutes tend to be more rewarding and keep your kittens attention. Make sure you use plenty of praise and positive reinforcement for good behaviour.
Toileting
At least one litter tray per cat should be provided. It should be changed daily as cats may refuse to use a dirty litter tray. The tray should be kept somewhere private and quiet. Litter trays are usually made from plastic and can either be open, or have a hood to offer your kitten privacy. There are many types of litter, including clay, clumping, recycled newspaper or plant material. Recycled newspaper and plant-based litters double as garden mulch after use (minus the solid waste).
Environment
Your kitten will need somewhere comfortable to sleep. A good range of toys are available, such as Kong’s, fluffy mice toys, cat treats, balls, scratching posts etc. You can rotate them over a period of a week so they are ‘fresh’. Most kittens love to sleep on something soft like a pillow or blanket. You can also buy cat baskets with soft foam or fluffy material inserts, foam beds and igloo’s that your cat can curl up in. Place your kitten's bed somewhere safe and warm, with it's food, water bowls and litter tray not too far away.
Native Fauna
Domestic cats can be predators of our wildlife. You can minimise the risk by attaching bells to the opposite sides of the collar, keeping the cat inside at night or build a cat aviary. You can also purchase or make ‘floppy fencing’. It attaches to the original fencing and is unstable to climb on so cat’s won’t come into or out of the backyard.
Pet insurance
Pet Insurance offers you peace of mind. If your pet is involved in an accident or suffers a sudden illness the medical costs can be several hundreds to thousands of dollars. Unfortunately, many pets are euthanased each year as owners are unable to meet these unexpected costs. Pet Insurance is your safeguard against this outcome.