Congratulations on your new kitten! Owning a kitten can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be a very large responsibility. Below we have listed important medical and behavioral information needed as new kitten owners. If you have questions concerning any subject related to your kitten's health, please feel free to call our clinic.
Vaccine Schedule:6- 8 weeks: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis/Panleukopenia combination vaccine, General dewormer, FelV/FIV Test, Flea preventative.
12 weeks: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis/Panleukopenia combination vaccine, +/- Feline Leukemia vaccine (depending on exposure), Fecal check (Please bring a fresh fecal sample to this visit), Flea preventative.
16 weeks: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis/Panleukopenia combination vaccine, +/- Feline Leukemia vaccine (depending on exposure), Rabies vaccines, General dewormer, Flea Preventative.
Why spay or neuter:1.) Allows your pet to live a longer, healthier life. Spaying your female will immediately reduce the chances of developing uterine, ovarian or mammary cancer. You also eliminate the chances of developing pyometra, an infected uterus. In males, neutering reduces the chances of testicular cancers and future prostate problems.
2.) Females will not go into heat
3.) Males are less likely to mark territories, feel the need to roam, mount objects, and will be less aggressive.
4.) Your pet will NOT get fat- overfeeding, lack of exercise, and hormonal changes cause your pet to gain weight. A proactive owner can keep altered pets in perfect shape.
5.) Save money! Add up the costs of a possible c-section delivery, veterinary care for litters of puppies or kittens, and veterinary care for cancers or pyometra later in life. The one-time cost of a spay or neuter is significantly less than what your will end up spending in the long run.
Litter box training:
Most kittens are litter box trained by the time you take them home. If you have more than one cat, we recommend one litter box per cat plus one extra. Although covered litter boxes tend to trap in noxious smells, they may also be an aversion for some cats. Litter boxes should be scooped daily and completely dumped and scrubbed every 1-2 weeks. Litter boxes should be placed in an area that is quiet and out of the way so your cat will have some privacy. We can provide a handout with more detailed litter box training tips if needed.
Scratching:
Unfortunately scratching is a normal activity in cats and kittens and you will not be able to keep them from doing this. However you can try to modify where and what they scratch. Trimming your kitten’s nails on a regular basis and encouraging the use of a scratching post is recommended. Declawing is humane if performed under anesthesia and proper pain medication is given. One of the most frequently encountered problems with kittens is their interest in chewing and scratching on hands and feet. It is very important that you do not encourage this behavior by continuing to give your kitten attention (laughing, playing, or pushing them away). If your kitten bites or scratches, you must immediately stop playing. Only proceed with petting or playing with kitten once they have settled down.
