Kittens and Cats
There are over 40 different breeds of cat and many different varieties. Most
cats that we see are “moggies”, otherwise known as domestic short-haired or
domestic long-haired depending on the length of their coat. Apart from their
differences in appearance, each breed has a distinct temperament and
personality, and it is important not to choose your pet based on looks alone.
You need to take into consideration the breed’s temperament, activity level and
any special requirements eg long-haired cats need daily grooming.
Vaccinations
Kittens receive their first vaccination at 8 weeks of age, followed by a repeat
vaccination 4 weeks later. It is recommended that kittens remain indoors until
10-14 days after receiving their second vaccination to allow a vaccine immunity
to develop. Any adult cat being vaccinated for the first time will also need an
initial course of two vaccinations, followed by an annual booster. This annual
booster not only helps protect your pet against disease but also includes a
check up and any potential problems or concerns can be addressed at this time.
Cats and kittens are vaccinated against feline enteritis and cat flu.
Feline enteritis, also known as feline panleucopenia, is similar to parvovirus in dogs and can be potentially fatal with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea. Cat flu, also known as feline respiratory disease, is caused by many different organisms, with the vaccine targeted towards the most common varieties. It is highly contagious and once contracted, it can be difficult to treat with many cats becoming carriers of the disease and experiencing relapses of flu throughout their lives. A new vaccine against feline AIDS is also now available for at risk cats. This disease affects the cat’s immune system and makes it more prone to infections. It is spread mainly by cat fights and there is no cure once your cat is infected – please speak to your Vet to see if your cat is at risk. Following vaccination, some cats may feel off colour for a day or two and may have slight swelling and tenderness around the injection site.
If you are concerned about your pet following vaccination – please contact
your Vet.
Worming
Cats and kittens may be infected with roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms. These
worms can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and in severe cases even
death, especially in young kittens. For this reason, it is recommended that
kittens be wormed every two weeks until 12 weeks of age, then once a month until
6 months of age. Adult cats should be wormed every 3 months. It is recommended
that a broad spectrum wormer be used – these are available in tablet, paste and
more recently in a “spot-on” formulation which also controls fleas. Ensure that
your cat is dosed according to its weight.
Other Parasites
Cats and kittens may be infected with fleas, which can cause skin irritation
and, in large numbers also cause blood loss anaemia. There are a large range of
products available from your Vet to treat fleas on cats and it is important that
cat-specific products are used as not all products which can be used on dogs are
safe to be used on cats. Ensure that the label instructions are read and, in the
case of young kittens, that the product used is suitable for the age of your
kitten.
Cats, and especially kittens, may also be infested with ear mites. These
parasites cause irritation in and around the ears, and are often associated with
a black discharge in the ear canal. If you suspect ear mites in your pets,
please contact your Vet.
Feeding
Mother’s milk will provide all of a kitten’s nutritional needs up until weaning.
After this it is important to feed your kitten a diet which is palatable, easy
to eat, and supplies complete and balanced nutrition in a concentrated form
which satisfies its high energy requirements. Kittens should be fed kitten food
two to three times a day up until around six months of age. After this, the
number of meals each day can be reduced to one or two depending on the
individual characteristics of your cat. Avoid sudden changes in diet as this can
cause intestinal upsets. Make any changes in diet gradual over several days to
allow your pet to adapt. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.
Desexing
It is recommended to desex your cat at 3 to 6 months of age. As well as
preventing unwanted pregnancies, desexing can also benefit the health of your
cat. Spaying in female cats reduces the risk of mammary cancer and infections in
the uterus. Desexed males are less likely to wander and be involved in cat
fights, reducing the risk of infections and being injured, and also less likely
to mark their territory by spraying urine.
Identification
Your cat should be able to be identified so that if it becomes lost, it can be
more readily reunited with you. This may be done with a collar and tag with your
pet’s name and contact details or more permanently with a microchip which is
implanted under the skin by your Vet.
Training
Cats are by nature quite clean animals and most kittens will learn to use a
litter tray quite readily. Ensure that the tray is in a private area and that
the litter is cleaned quite frequently. Placing your kitten in the tray after it
wakes up or after eating will encourage it to use that area. If you catch your
kitten “in the act” toileting in areas other that the litter tray or scratching
like it needs to – place it in the tray and use positive reinforcement.
Punishing your kitten may just cause confusion..
Cats which are already house trained but start to have “accidents” indoors may
do so for various reasons including bladder infections, marking their territory
and behavioural problems. Please contact your Vet if this occurs as your cat may
require a check up.
Cats naturally scratch surfaces to sharpen their nails and mark their territory,
by providing indoor cats with a scratching post, the damage to furniture can be
reduced.