New Kitten
- Selecting a new kitten
- Checklist for a new kitten
- Vaccination
- De-worming
- Heartworm prevention
- Flea Control
- Toilet Training
- Microchip Identification
- Diet
- De-sexing
- Accessories
Selecting a new kitten
There are many factors you should consider in selecting a kitten that is right for you. One helpful site is the Whiskas site.
Check list for a new kitten
Vaccination
- First at 9 weeks
- Second at 12 weeks
- Third for FIV at 15 weeks
De-worming & Flea Control
- Deworm every 2 weeks until 12 weeks of age with Felex.
- Heartworm prevention
- Flea control
General
- Toilet training
- Microchip identification
- Registration – there is no requirement to register cats with the council.
- Desexing
- Diet
- Bell on collar to limit hunting
Vaccination
Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) may be spread by cat bites. Most cats are at risk of being bitten by other cats at some time in their life so we recommend vaccination against these viruses.
We recommend kittens are vaccinated at 9 weeks of age with a Fe6, 12 weeks of age of a Fe6 and at 15 weeks of age with a FIV only. The Fe6 vaccination includes feline rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleucopenia virus, Chlamydia psittaci, feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).
De-worming
Kittens need to be dewormed to treat gastro-intestinal parasites. The first de-worming is recommended at 4 weeks of age using Felex Plus paste then every 2 weeks until 12 weeks old. There are many products that prevent heartworm, control fleas and gastrointestinal worms. Baldivis Vet Hospital has produced a table of products available and this can be accessed by clicking here
Heartworm prevention
Heartworm are parasites that live in the pulmonary arteries. Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes and most cats are at risk of being bitten by mosquitoes. Cats are not as susceptible to heart worm infestation as dogs, however the disease is difficult to diagnose and difficult to treat. Treatment with Advocate every four weeks is recommended to prevent heartworm, most gastrointestinal worms and for flea control.
There are many products that prevent heartworm, control fleas and gastrointestinal worms. Baldivis Vet Hospital has produced a table of products available and this can be accessed by clicking here.
Flea control
We recommend all kittens are started on Advocate or a similar product at nine weeks of age to control fleas, gastrointestinal parasites and to prevent heartworm. There are many products that prevent heartworm, control fleas and gastrointestinal worms. Baldivis Vet Hospital has produced a table of products available and this can be accessed by clicking here
Toilet Training
Toilet training needs to start at 4 weeks of age by providing a litter tray and encouraging kitten to use it.
Microchip Identification
Microchip identification involves having a microchip inserted into your pet and this microchip is registered on a national registry. Should your pet be lost and taken to any veterinary clinic, animal shelter or council pound, your pet will be scanned and the microchip number revealed. Once the microchip has been read the national pet register data is used to locate the pet owner.
Microchip identification can be carried out at any age and the microchip can be implanted into un-sedated animals. It is recommended to have your pet micro chipped at the same time as he or she is de-sexed and this alleviates any undue stress at microchip implantation.
Diet
A healthy diet is important for normal growth and development.
Kittens
Kittens require a special diet that is gentle on their stomach but also ensures optimum growth. At Baldivis Vet Hospital we recommend Royal Canin kitten diets, Eukanuba or IAMS.
Adult Cats
Adult cats require a food that does not promote phosphate crystals in the cat’s urine. Foods such as Royal Canin, Eukanuba or IAMS are recommended.
There are many products that prevent heartworm, control fleas and gastrointestinal worms. Baldivis Vet Hospital has produced a table of products available and this can be accessed by clicking here
Desexing
Female
Desexing female cats is recommended at 4 to 6 months of age. Females come into season at some time between 4 and 6 months depending on their month of birth. Kittens born in summer may come into season in the early winter breed season. If cats are not mated they come back in season after only 2 to 3 weeks. The biology of female cats is such that they easily become pregnant.
The reason for de-sexing females is to control unwanted pregnancies.
- Sterilization involves
- admission to hospital for a day surgery
- sedation so they are not apprehensive
- anaesthesia
- clipping the hair from the abdomen
- preparation for aseptic surgery
- surgery to remove uterus and ovaries
- recovery from anaesthetic and discharge from hospital.
Cats are given a tattoo in the ear with a de-sexing symbol. The procedure results in little post operative discomfort.
Male
Castration of tom cats is recommended to prevent them straying and engaging in male hormonally driven behaviour. Un-castrated males fight with other males in the area and urinate on various structures to mark out their territory. It is important to have males castrated at four to six months of age so they do not form bad habits such as the territorial behaviour. Castration involves admission to hospital for a day surgery.
Cat Sterilization Society
If you are a pensioner or health care card holder then the cat sterilization society may subsidies the cost of sterilization or your cat. The telephone number for the cat sterilization society is 9397 5062.
Accessories
Baldivis Vet Hospital carries a number of accessories for your pet’s comfort. These include:
- Snooza cat range
- Cages
- Beds
- Treats
