Kitten Care

Kittens can become sick and even die due to intestinal worms. Kittens should be dewormed every 2 weeks until they are 12 weeks old, then every month until 6 months of age. Thereafter they should be dewormed every 3 to 6 months for the rest of their life. There are many different methods of treating worms including tablets, pastes, topical liquids as well as flea control drops that contain a partial wormer.  Heartworm is a potentially fatal parasite that can be transmitted by mosquito bites or by other pets. While heartworm is less common in cats than dogs, prevention is optional but recommended.  Medications available include topical and oral heartworm medications. Speak to your vet about the recommended treatment specifically for cats.

Desexing reduces the instances of spraying, wandering and fighting in cats. It also prevents unwanted litters and often the development of behavioural problems in adult cats. Desexing also helps reduce the incidence of infections such as pyometra and certain cancers. Cats that are desexed are likely to live longer than those that aren’t. It is recommended that cats are desexed around 6 months of age.

The cat would be brought in on the morning of the surgery, having not eaten since the previous evening. The procedure is completed under general anaesthesia. The cat will usually be allowed to go home the same day or the following day depending on its general health after surgery.

Cats and kittens can be microchipped, both as a permanent form of identification, and to allow use of microchip-controlled cat doors and feeders. The chip is placed between the shoulder blades and under the skin of the neck. Vets and shelters scan this area when animals are brought in to obtain a serial number which is linked back to the owner of the cat. The serial number is registered in a nationwide database to help your pet be reunited with you no matter where it is found. You need to ensure that you keep your details up to date so you can be called if your pet is found. If you are not sure of whether your kitten is chipped or not, you can ask your vet to scan and check.

Premium kitten foods are made from quality ingredients and contain all the necessary nutrients for a growing kitten. Brands do vary in quality, but the premium brands usually offer the best all round nutrition to meet the pet’s dietary requirements. The label of the food purchased should advise on the size of the serving based on age and size. If you change brands, make the change gradually over 4-5 days to prevent intestinal issues. A lean, muscular physique is optimal for your cat. Speak to your vet about how to maintain the best possible body weight and condition for your cat.