Petcare Info
Caring for your kitten
DIET
General guidelines are: Initially feed ad-lib; at 6-12 weeks of age - feed 3-4 times daily; 3-6 months of age - feed 3 meals daily. From 6-7 months - feed 2 meals daily. Ideally, feed a raw meaty bone often, realizing some cats won't be tempted! There may be some risk of gut infections with feeding poultry bones (so must be very fresh from the supplier before freezing); so small bone chunks from the upper body of sheep/cattle can be given, or even whole lamb cutlets. The balance of the diet may include commercial food (canned/dry) and table scraps, eggs etc. Cats do not require high levels of starch or cereals in their diet. Royal Canin Feline dry is ideal as its shape and content helps in preventing plaque formation; and its "Neutered" range is ideal for avoiding weight gain after desexing. Avoid milk or dairy products generally - water is adequate. Also avoid regular meals of liver, raw fish or meat on its own.
TEETH
The raw meaty bone diet will also ensure
dental calculus and gum disease is
minimised. Some cats will not shed their
temporary fang teeth at the usual age of
6-7 months, and will be retained
adjacent to the emerging permanent
fangs. Should this be evident, please
phone for advice. In a minority of
kittens where bones are not a part of
the diet it may be wise to brush daily
with a rubber finger brush and
antiseptic gel to prevent the buildup of
dental calculus.
VACCINATIONS
All kittens should receive Feline
Enteritis and 'Flu' (Herpes &
Calicivirus) termed Feline 3 at 6-8
weeks of age followed by a booster at
12-14 weeks of age. Most kittens should
receive a flu only booster at 16-18
weeks of age as well. A booster F3
vaccine is given at 15 months of age;
then 1-3 yearly based on individual
risk. Feline Aids (FIV) vaccine is an
option for cats in conflict, eg. those
likely to be outdoors at night, or those
in multiple cat households. Leukaemia
and Chlamydia vaccination are not
routinely given for this area.
MICROCHIPPING
It is now illegal to have an
unregistered/unmicrochipped cat. Council
registration is required at six months
of age. Desexing prior to registration
reduces this once only cost appreciably.
Cats will jump fences and stray easily
and this simple procedure gives peace of
mind.
WORMING
Ideally at 4,8 and 12 weeks, then 4 1/2
months, 6 months; then 3-4 monthly
through life using an allwormer, eg:
Milbemax. Some cats (especially hunters)
may acquire an uncommon tapeworm or
lungworm, which are treated with
specific drugs. Revolution is a
combination product with wide activity
including most worms, fleas, heartworm
prevention, and ear mite suppression.
DESEXING
If you do not intend breeding with your
kitten, desexing of either sex can be
done at 5-6 months of age. In females,
both the ovaries and the uterus are
removed. It is not a minor procedure and
is usually done when not in heat or
pregnant. Desexing your male cat will
stop most territorial fights and urine
spraying, and will reduce greatly the
risk of acquiring cat AIDS (or Feline
Immunodeficiency Virus) and Leukemia
Virus infection.
FLEAS
A prolonged severe flea infestation can
KILL a kitten purely through blood loss.
Fleas are the host to the most common of
the cat and dog tapeworms; ie, if your
cat has fleas it will most likely have
tapeworms. Treatments include: Capstar
or Comfortis; both tablets, with a
duration of 24 hours and 30 days
respectively. Activyl, Advantage and
Revolution - are topical 'spot-on' style
products applied monthly, and are
non-toxic. Revolution also prevents
heartworm which affects cats less
frequently than dogs; and treats
nematodes and ear mites. It is important
to understand that no flea product will
be effective if there is a source of
young fleas/eggs in the environment.
Beware of dark, high humidity locations
around and in the home, and treat
appropriately with either wet sprays or
aerosols.
TICKS
Tick season is usually from July to
January. Flea control products cannot be
relied upon for tick control in cats so
regular searches (daily to second daily)
are important. Remember, if a tick is
found simply grasp with forceps to
remove; and if this fails imply cut the
tick off level with the skin with a pair
of scissors, and the rest will fall out
later.
PET INSURANCE
Most companies now offer health
insurance for pets. This can help you
cover the cost of medical bills. Pets
statistically are afflicted by illness
and injury more frequently than their
owners. It makes sense to plan for this
risk. Check links for insurance
contacts.