This article contains information which we hope you will find helpful. If you have further questions please feel free to ask a member of staff. Weigh, Worm & Flea clinics provide a good opportunity for you to discuss your kitten with one of our nurses or ask the vet who sees you for your kitten’s vaccination. Our reception staff will always be happy to point you in the right direction.
Kitten Health Check
We are pleased to give your kitten a full health check before its first vaccination. It is a good idea to allow your kitten to settle in at home for a few days first to allow you time to see if there are any specific concerns you would like to discuss. We will do our best to answer your questions.
Feeding Your Kitten
Ideally you should keep your new kitten on the food it has been used to for a week or so. After this time you can gradually introduce the food you intend to keep feeding. It is not a good idea to keep altering the diet as this can cause digestive problems and diarrhoea. We recommend complete foods. They are convenient, balanced and contain all the nutrients your kitten will need. We can advise on the correct amount to feed.
Please remember that clean water should be available at all times. We do not recommend milk as part of your kitten’s diet as it can cause digestive upsets.
Vaccination For Your New Kitten
Vaccination is essential to protect your kitten against several of the most serious infectious diseases. Your puppy will not be allowed into kennels or to travel abroad unless it is fully vaccinated. A primary course of two injections at least 3-4 weeks apart are required with an annual booster thereafter. The first injection can be given from 9 weeks old but the kitten should not be allowed to mix with other cats or go where other cats have been until 10 days after the second injection. Healthy, fully vaccinated cats belonging to friends and family are very low risk and it is acceptable to socialise with them.
Fleas and Kittens
All flea and worming tablets are available as part of our popular Pet Health Club.
Microchipping Your New Kitten
Having your new kitten microchipped is a strong recommendation. It gives life- long identification if your kitten is lost. The procedure is as simple as having an injection and all details are logged on a central database so they can be ac- cessed from anywhere in the UK. This can usually be done at time of neutering under anaesthetic but can be done conscious. Microchipping is useful if your pet is taken to another vet in the area in emergency situations for example.
House-Training
Most kittens are naturally clean and will use a litter tray almost straight away. Remember not to site the tray near to where you feed your kitten. Also clean- ing the tray promptly is important so that your kitten will be happy to use it.
Pet Health Insurance for Kittens
When we give your kitten its first vaccination we can issue a cover note for 4 weeks free pet insurance under the conditions that the pet is fit and healthy. Although routine procedures are not covered (such as vaccination and neutering), pet insurance takes the worry out of covering the cost of high quality veterinary care. We cannot recommend an insurance company but there are many to choose from, just ensure the right policy is chosen to suit you and your pet.
Worming Your New Kitten
All kittens get worms from their mothers. Kittens require monthly worming until 6 months old and then routinely every 3 months for complete control of all important worms.
Puberty and Neutering Your Kitten
As male cats mature, they can begin to roam, spray and get into cat fights.
As female cats mature, they will begin to ‘call’ until they are mated. This means they can potentially produce up to 2-3 litters a year. ‘Calling’ can often be seen as the cat showing strange behaviour such as laying down howling as if in extreme pain.
Neutering can prevent and control these behaviours along with controlling the ever growing stray cat population. We recommend neutering males and females from around 4 months of age, ideally before a females first season.
Neutering is a routine procedure involving general anaesthetic but should be able to go home the same day. Females will have a small area of fur clipped on the side of her abdomen, males will not need any hair removed.
We have our own separate, dedicated cat ward and theatre that are within sound proofed walls, air conditioning and with Feliway diffusers plugged in all day long.
Once your kittens is fully vaccinated and out and about enjoying itself you can book an appointment at one of our WEIGH, WORM & FLEA clinics. You will see one of our Veterinary Nurses, they can help with any questions you have about socialising, feeding, health care or if you have any other concerns, they can also refer you to one of our vets. The clinic is FREE, you will only have to pay for any products (such as wormers or flea control) that you need—if you’re joined up to our pet health club, flea and worming products will be already paid for!
Deciding on what your kitten needs in terms of vaccination and flea and worm control can be confusing and expensive. Our very popular Pet Health Club gives you peace of mind knowing your kitten is getting the best possible preventative healthcare while allowing you to spread the cost over a year by monthly direct debit payments and saving you up to 50%.
Remember, your kitten doesn't have to be sick to come and see us. We are here to help an any way we can at all stages of your pet's life.