Congratulations on the new addition to your family! Your new friend will give you years of unconditional love and companionship. As a responsible pet owner you will want to do the best for your new cat, so here are the basics of kitten care.
Pet Insurance
You can now insure your pet’s health. Most insurance policies cover a huge range of accidents and illness—even referral to specialist centres. Ask us for brochures from the best insurance providers, or ask your home and contents insurer about pet insurance.
Click here for more information on pet insurance.
6 to 12 weeks of age
At this age most kittens are finding their feet and exploring their new home. They prefer being fed a good quality kitten food 3-4 times daily, or alternatively some kittens prefer to graze on their dry biscuits throughout the day. We recommend using Royal Canin Kitten Food as it is a complete diet with all the vitamins and minerals needed for growth. This is available in both dry biscuits and wet food.
Vaccination
If your kitten will be indoors at all times, an F3 vaccination that covers cat flu and feline enteritis is sufficient. However, if your cat will likely spend some time outdoors, we recommend vaccinating for the feline aids virus (FIV) as well. An F3 vaccination is given at 6, 9 and 12 weeks old, with the FIV given at 9, 12 and 15 weeks.
Intestinal Worming
All kittens should be wormed with Milbemax worm tablets at 6, 8 and 12 weeks of age (only if above 0.5kg bodyweight). Worms can cause illness and death in young cats, and can be transmitted to people where they can cause serious problems in young children. For kittens that won’t take tablets, a top-spot topical wormer, Profender, is very effective.
Fleas
Fleas are the single biggest cause of itching and over-grooming in cats, and on the Sunshine Coast, they are active all year around. Fleas are everywhere and can quickly infest your home and cat. We recommend using a monthly flea treatment, such as Bravecto Plus For Cats, which can be used from 9 weeks of age. Please speak to us about other options for flea control.
Paralysis Ticks
Unfortunately no product can give 100% protection, so daily searching is recommended if you live in a tick area. We recommend Frontline Spray which is safe to use from 2 days of age. After 9 weeks of age we recommend Bravecto Plus For Cats, which protects against ticks and fleas for 10 weeks.
Microchipping
It is now compulsory for all kittens to be microchipped when between 8 and 12 weeks of age. A code unique to your animal is implanted on a chip approximately the size of a grain of rice, and is injected under the skin between the shoulder blades. We can do this when your kitten is in for their 2nd or 3rd vaccination.
Registration
All cats must be registered with the Sunshine Coast Regional Council by the time they are 12 weeks of age. Please visit their website to download the relevant form.
12 weeks to 6 months of age
Vaccinations
Vaccinations for outdoors cats finish at 15 weeks of age (FIV vaccination), and these kittens are ready to go outdoors 2 weeks later.
Intestinal Worming
Continue to worm against intestinal worms monthly.
Fleas
Provide flea treatments every 3 months using Bravecto Cat Spot On.
Paralysis Ticks
Continue to provide treatments every 3 months using Bravecto Cat Spot On.
6 months of age
Desexing
Both male and female cats can benefit from desexing at this age. Neutering prevents unwanted litters, reduces reproductive and hormone-related conditions, as well as cancer of the reproductive organs. In addition, behavioural problems can be controlled such as aggression, roaming, territorial marking, crying to go outside and urine spraying. Entire cats are much more likely to be seen at the vet for cat fight abscesses, motor vehicle injuries and immune problems from catching feline aids (FIV).
From 6 months old plus
Vaccinations
Annual vaccinations will ensure that your cat remains protected against the more common diseases. A reminder letter will be posted to you when your cat is due.
Intestinal Worming
Continue to worm your cat every three months for the rest of their life.
Fleas
Continue to provide flea treatments every 3 months.
Paralysis Ticks
Continue to provide treatments every 3 months.
It is possible to subscribe to flea and worming reminders to be sent via email. You can subscribe or unsubscribe yourself at any time. Visit http://bayeranimal.com.au to subscribe.
