PETstock Kitten Care

By: PETstock

 

Owning a Kitten
Owning a kitten will be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding things that you and your family will ever do.

To enjoy all the benefits of owning a kitten, it is vital that you ensure it stays healthy and happy.

While it is exciting bringing a new kitten home, remember the environment is new and your kitten may be very apprehensive or scared. Act calm, not too rowdy, and provide a warm, soft and cosy area for your kitten to feel secure. They are very curious creatures, so let them explore everything in their own time. A toy or two will help in these early days.

 

Feeding Requirements
Firstly, remember kittens are not little puppies and should not be fed puppy food. They are 'obligate carnivores' and require more protein and other nutrients than dogs. Feed the current diet for the first week before aiming to integrate a good quality kitten food over the following week (if your kitten is not alrady on one). Wet food is fine but it is important to always feed some dry food too, as itis much better for your kitten's teeth!

Feed 4 times a day until 12 weeks of age then 3 times daily until 5-6months old. From then on, once or twice a day is fine.

A premium kitten food is recommended as it is complete and full of the right nutrients in the right proportions unlike many supermarket foods. Table scraps and homemade diets can never achieve the right balance of nutrients that these premium foods can.

Usually, your kitten can stay on growth or kitten diets until 12 months of age before swapping to an adult diet.

Tip: As with pups, after weaning, kittens do not need milk and should be encouraged to always drink fresh water as it is better for their digestive tract.

 

Toilet Training
Toilet training starts as early as possible and kittens usually learn hot to use a liter tray very quickly. Place the tray and liter in a secluded, yet easily accessible place. Keep it away from the kitten's bedding and feeding areas. You should place your kitten in the tray every morning and night and after meals until they get the hang of it.
 

If you are having trouble training your kitten, try a different type of liter, ensure the tray is in a quiet, secluded place and clean it more regularly.

 

Keeping your Kittens Indoors at Night
Cats are nocturnal animals and are most active at night when they love to hunt and fight other cats. One of the most common illnesses seen in cats are abscesses from cat fights. Keep your kitten indoors from dusk until sunrise to ensure they stay out of trouble. Many councils will also fine you if your cat is roaming at night.

 

Desexing
Due to various health and behaviuor problems, it is highly recommended your kitten is desexed at 5-6 months of age if you are not intending to breed from them. This will not change the personality of your kitten.

Tip: Male cats must be desexed unless they are in a breeding colony. They are uncontrollable otherwise in a normal household.

 

Pet Insurance
Owning a kitten can be costly, especially if things go wrong and you require expensive veterinary treatments. Pet Insurance is now readily available and will give you peace of mind when owning your kitten and the last thing you need to worry about in an emergency is "can I afford treatment?"

Tip: The highest costs of pet ownership occur in the first year and last few years of your cat's life, so get covered early!

 

Flea Protection
Fleas carry tapeworm and can cause severe scratching and allergic reactions known as flea allergy dermatitis.

It is highly recommended you cover your kitten with a good quality flea control product on a monthly basis, all year round. You can start from 6-8 weeks of age and continue for life.

 

Heartworm - Is it required?
Cats are about 2,000 times more resistant to heartworm than dogs, thus the general consensus is we don't protect against it in cats.

However, heartworm disease has been associated with sudden death in cats, so prevention is available and is included in some good quality flea and worm combination products.

 

Microchipping
A microchip is a permanent identification device implanted under the skin of your kitten allowing quick return of your kitten if they are lost. It is now a law to have this done in several states of Australia, so ask for PETstock staff or your council if this is a requirement in your area.

Your kitten can be microchipped at any age but the earlier the better. Microchipping is quick and easy, causing very little discomfort. If your PETstock store has PETvet, this service can be done in-store.

 

Vaccination
Kittens are at risk of a number of serious diseases including feline enteritis & feline respiratory diseases. These diseases are debilitating and can be fatal, thus vaccinating against them is vital. Your vet will guide you on the right vaccination regime for your kitten.

The first vaccination is generally given at 6-8weeks of age, 12 weeks for the second and the final one at 14-16 weeks of age. Boosters are then recommended yearly. If your PETstock store has a PETvet service, you can get your kitten vaccinated conveniently in-store.

Tip: Feline Aids (FIV) is a serious problem in cat population today. It is highly recommended you vaccinate against this deadly disease that has no cure.

 

Worming
Your kitten should be wormed every 2 weeks until 12 weeks of age then every 4 weeks until 6 months of age. After 6 months, worming should continue every 3 months for life.

The common intestinal worms include roundworm, hookworm and tapeworm.

Tip: Use an "all wormer" or good kitten wormer to ensure you cover all the worms you need to. Remember worms can transfer from cat to human, so be diligent especially if you have children.

 

Kitten Checklist

• Vaccinations
• Bedding
• Collars
• Microchip
• Litter and tray
• ID tag
• Flea and tick control
• Food and water bowl
• Grooming brush
• Worming
• Training treats
• Pet insurance
• Premium kitten food
• Toys
• Council registration