Essential Kitten Guide
Courtesy of petinsurance.com.au, here is our free guide to looking after your Kitten.
Vaccination
Vaccinate against Feline Enteritis and Feline Respiratory Disease. Begin at 8 weeks (F3), repeat at 12 weeks (F3) and 16 weeks (F3) and have an annual booster (F3) for life.
Worming
Treat for worms at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks of age, repeat monthly until 6 months and every 3 months thereafter. Heartworm treatment can begin at 6 months of age.
Flea Control
Treat your kitten monthly with an effective product. Remember to always treat the environment. Eggs remain on bedding, couches, carpets etc.
Desexing
Desex your kitten at 6 months of age. Cats breed very quickly and desexing is essential to preventing unwanted kittens. Desexed cats are less likely to spray in the house and they also have a reduced incidence of fighting and roaming.
Dental Care
Encourage chewing at an early age i.e. dental chews and hard dry food. Also, try brushing your kitten’s teeth regularly from an early age.
Feeding
Fed a complete and balanced commercial kitten food 3-4 time daily until 6 months and 1 - 2 times daily from 6 months. An equivalent adult diet can be introduced at 9 – 12 months of age.
House Training
Kittens usually take to litter trays quite easily. Leave the litter tray in an accessible location and change the litter daily.
Microchipping
It is best to microchip your kitten at a young age. It is a quick and permanent method of identification.
Grooming
Cats spend a lot of time grooming but they can benefit from brushing to remove excess hair, this helps to reduce the incidence of fur balls.
Protecting wildlife
Small birds and marsupials are rapidly becoming endangered species and the predatory behaviour of domestic cats is a well recognised contributing factor. Place a bell on your cats collar and keep them in at night to help protect wildlife.