This is a guide to what your kitten will require in the coming months and for the rest of your kitten’s life
Vaccination
It is crucial that your kitten be protected against life threatening feline Enteritis and cat Flu. The first vaccination is at 6 – 8 weeks of age. A booster vaccination is required at 10 – 12 weeks and then at 14-16 weeks of age. Your kitten will then be protected from these diseases for 12 months. A reminder will be sent to you when you next vaccination is due.
Microchipping
A microchip is the size of a grain of rice and carries a unique code that can be read with a scanner. By law, all kittens should be microchipped. It is a simple process and involves inserting the microchip into the scruff of the neck using a slightly larger than usual needle.
Worming
Kittens should be wormed from 2 weeks of age to protect against Roundworm, Hookworm, Whipworm and Tapeworm. Kittens need to be wormed every 2 weeks until 3 months of age, then monthly until 6 months of age. Regular worming every 3 months is recommended thereafter. Even indoor cats can pick up these parasites.
Desexing
It is very important to get your kitten de-sexed regardless of the gender of your kitten. In males, it reduces the urge to wander to find a female and help prevent fighting and ‘spraying’. In females it prevents the ability to reproduce and she will not come into season. We recommend de-sexing your kitten at 4 – 6 months of age.
Flea Treatment
It is important to protect your kitten from fleas to avoid not only irritation and dermatitis, but also prevent contamination of your house with flea eggs. There are a wide range of flea treatments available.
Tick Paralysis
Paralysis ticks are always present in the environment, however we do see an increase in cases in the warmer months.They can be fatal to cats. Symptoms to watch for are loss of co-ordination, change in meow, coughing, vomiting. If you notice these symptoms seek veterinary advice immediately. Frontline spray is the only registered product to help prevent tick paralysis, but daily searching is recommended. Please ask our staff about protecting your kitten from ticks.
Pet Insurance
There are many companies available that supply insurance for pets at a reasonable rate. They include Petplan, Bow Wow, Prosure etc. Brochures are available at our reception desk or ask one of our staff for more details.