1. Your initial visit with your kitten will involve a complete exam to make sure your pet is healthy. We will also start a series of distemper vaccinations in order to boost your pet’s immunity. The first set should start between 7-9 weeks of age. Your kitten will need a booster every 3 weeks until the age of 16-18 weeks. The final vaccination will also include a rabies vaccine and registration with the county. We will provide your pet’s Rabies tag.  Also, at your first visit your kitten should be tested for FIV and FeLV. This is a simple blood test to ensure your kitten is off to a healthy start.

 

2. Fecal exam. We will need a small piece of fresh stool for this exam. We will look at the sample under the microscope to make sure your kitten is free from intestinal worms or protozoa. If your kitten is infected, a dewormer will take care of the infection.

 

3. Diet. Choose a good quality food made especially for kittens. Your kitten should stay on this food until they are about 1 year old, then you can switch to an adult food. At first, feed your kitten 2 – 3 times per day. This lets you monitor how much food your kitten is eating. Then you can figure out what is best for you and your pet, mealtimes or free choice feeding. It is best not to feed your pet any type of human food. Keep fresh water available at all times.

 

4. Litterbox Training. Start by using the same litter that was used at the kitten’s previous home (once your kitten is using the box regularly, you can gradually introduce a new type of litter if necessary). Use a low sided box placed in a quiet, but accessible area of your home. Keep an eye on your kitten at all times. If she stops playing and starts sniffing—get her to the box! Praise any sniffing and scratching in the box, and reward your kitten if she eliminates. Any time you can’t watch your kitten, she should be kept in a kitten-proofed room with the litterbox until she is using the box regularly. Accidents will happen. Clean up all messes with an enzyme cleaner made for pet accidents.

 

5. Indoor vs. Outdoor. Although some cats enjoy being outside, an indoor cat will live a longer, healthier life. Outdoor cats are exposed to extreme weather, wild and domestic

animals, and numerous diseases. They are also at risk of getting hit by a car. All declawed cats must stay indoors.

 

6. AVID Chip. An AVID Chip is a way of permanently identifying your animal. A microchip is placed under the skin between the shoulders. This can be done at the time of spaying or neutering or along with your kitten’s vaccinations. Should your pet become lost, the microchip can be scanned by any veterinarian or animal shelter and your pet can be returned to you quickly.

  

7. Training. Here are a few common kitten behavior problems with some solutions.

Jumping on Counters. First, provide an alternate place for your kitten to perch and encourage her to use it. Play with her on it or provide treats when she uses her perch. Next, make the unacceptable surfaces undesirable. You can try covering the surface with double sided tape, aluminum foil, or upside down carpet runners.

Nighttime Activity. Make sure your kitten gets plenty of play time in the evening. If your kitten does wake you in the middle of the night, don’t yell at or chase your kitten—she’ll think you’re playing and this can make the behavior worse. Also, do not feed your kitten if she wakes you. It is best to ignore the behavior.

Play Related Aggression. Occasionally, kittens get too excited during play and use their owners as play targets, which can result in a bite. If this occurs, interrupt the play behavior by using a remote punishment (a squirt of water) or stop playing and leave the room. Do not run or scream (this may encourage the behavior) or use physical punishment (this may induce fear or defensive aggression).  

 

8. Toxins. There are many things around your house that may be potentially toxic to your cat. Many indoor and outdoor plants can cause problems if ingested, especially Lilies. All types of Lilies can cause kidney failure if eaten by your cat. Prescription medications (human or veterinary) can be harmful if accidentally eaten by your pet. Over the counter medications (especially Tylenol) can be harmful as well. Never give your cat any type of medication without contacting our office first. Always keep household chemicals, including cleaning products, antifreeze, pesticides, herbicides, and rat poison out of reach of your pet. Some human foods can cause problems if ingested by your pet. These include grapes and raisins, onions, chocolate, moldy cheese, and xylitol (found in chewing gum). If your cat eats anything questionable please call our office or the Animal Emergency Clinic right away.

 

9. Specialized Vaccinations. The vaccine for the Feline Leukemia virus (FeLV) is highly recommended for any cat that spends time outside. FeLV is transmitted through grooming, sharing food dishes, and fighting. This virus can compromise the immune system, cause tumors, and bone marrow disorders. Your kitten will need a booster 3 weeks from the initial vaccine, and then the vaccine should be given annually.

 

10. Heartworm. This is a life threatening disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes. Your pet can be bitten by an infected mosquito either inside or outside of your home. It is easily prevented by applying a liquid medication to the back of the neck once a month. The product that we carry is called Revolution. We recommend that your pet stay on this medication year round. The medication also controls fleas, ear mites, and 2 types of intestinal worms.

 

11. Spay/Neuter. We recommend spaying or neutering between 4-6 months of age. Your pet’s surgery will be performed at our stationary clinic. We do recommend a pre-anesthetic blood test and ECG. These tests can uncover problems that are unable to be detected on exam. The tests also serve as a baseline for the future, should any problems arise. Spaying and neutering provide a healthier life for your pet.

 

12. Declawing. If you elect to have your kitten declawed it is best to have it done while your pet is young. The time of spaying/neutering is ideal. The declaw may be done as early as 3 months of age but no later than 1 year. A cat that has been declawed must not be allowed to go outside as it does not have any defenses against any other animals. Do keep in mind that scratching is a normal and necessary behavior. It stretches your kitten’s muscles and grooms the nail beds. An alternative to declawing would be to provide an appropriate place for your cat to scratch and train your kitten to only use that place.

 

13. Mouth Care. Keeping your pets mouth clean is a very important part of their overall health. You should start working with your kitten’s mouth early so that they can be comfortable with having their teeth brushed on a regular basis. If you and your pet are comfortable with this routine it will help minimize the formation of calculus and infected gum tissue, which will minimize the number of times your pet may have to be put under anesthesia for routine dental cleanings. An infected mouth that has been left unclean for long periods of time also affects other parts of the body including the heart, liver, and kidneys. Research shows that proper dental care can extend a pets life by 2-3 years.

 

14. Grooming. Frequent grooming allows you to closely monitor the condition of your kitten so that any problems can be treated promptly. Long hair cats require daily brushing to remove loose hair and prevent matting. Short hair cats also benefit from brushing. Daily brushing can reduce the amount of hair your cat ingests while grooming himself, which can decrease the incidence of hairballs. Your kitten’s nails should be trimmed regularly, and a bath may be given as needed. It’s best to begin your grooming routine while your kitten is young so they can easily be accustomed to it.

 

15. Toys. All kittens need interactive play time. You can toss scrunched up balls of paper or play with your kitten using a fishing pole type of toy. Cardboard boxes and paper grocery bags can provide lots of fun for your kitten. Do not encourage any playing with ribbons or strings as these things are easily ingested and pose a health risk.

 

16. Traveling. Taking your kitten with you on short trips in the car will get them accustomed to traveling. The safest way for a cat to travel is in a pet carrier (covering the carrier with a blanket can help reduce any anxiety). For quick trips, you can place your cat in a pillowcase. Never let your cat roam around the car while driving. An unrestrained cat can interfere with driving or become a distraction and he could be seriously injured should an accident occur.

 

17. As Your Pet Ages. Once your pet is 8 years old, we recommend a full exam twice a year. These exams, as well as routine blood work, will help detect any arising health problems. Diagnosing and treating any issues promptly will help to ensure a long, happy life for your cat. Studies have shown, playing stimulating games with your pet now will help your cat’s mental health in the future.