Welcoming a kitten into your home can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a bit of an adjustment. Here are a few things to keep in mind when caring for your new furry friend:
Vaccinations
As a responsible kitten owner, it’s important to make sure your feline friend is up-to-date on their vaccinations. The timing of vaccinations will vary depending on the kitten’s age and health status, but most kittens will need to receive a course of vaccinations starting at around 6-8 weeks of age.
Parasite control
As a cat owner, it’s important to be aware of the potential for parasites. Kittens are especially vulnerable to parasite infections, so it’s important to take steps to prevent and control them.
There are several types of parasites that can affect cats, including fleas, ticks, ear mites, and intestinal worms. Some of these parasites can be transmitted to humans, so it’s important to take precautions to protect yourself and your family as well.
The best way to prevent parasite infections is to keep your kitten up-to-date on their vaccinations and to practice good hygiene. Regularly cleaning your kitten’s litter box and brushing their fur can also help reduce the risk. If your kitten will be going outside, we also highly recommend tick prevention. We recommend Bravecto for cats and Revolution Plus for cats. Call us to find out if your kitten is old enough to start tick prevention. Learn more about parasite control and how to keep your furry friend safe below.
Diet & nutrition
Kittens need a diet that is high in energy, calcium, and protein for healthy growth. Kittens also require more frequent meals than adult cats, so be sure to provide them with small meals several times a day.
To find the best food for your kitten, talk to your veterinarian about what type of food is right for them.
Desexing
Desexing kittens is an important step in responsible pet ownership. It can help reduce the number of unwanted animals in shelters, and it can also help your kitten stay healthy and happy.
There are many benefits to desexing kittens, including:
- Reduced risk of disease
- Fewer chances of roaming and getting lost
- Help reduce pet overpopulation
- Reduce unwanted spraying in tom cats
- Learn more about desexing your kitten below.
Microchipping
Microchips are an important way to help keep your pet safe. If your furry friend ever gets lost, a microchip can help ensure they are quickly and easily reunited with you.
Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and are inserted under the skin, usually between the shoulder blades. The microchip contains vital information about your pet, including your contact details. We will also register your pet to the NSW Pet Registry.
This is a quick and simple procedure that can give you peace of mind knowing that your beloved pet can always find their way back home. Get in touch with our team to learn more about microchipping for your kitten.
Insurance
There are so many reasons that we advise pet insurance. We see too many situations where finances prevent the best level of care, and we would hate for this to happen to you.
At Bangalow Vets, we recommend Petplan covered 4 life policies to give you peace of mind in the event of accidents or illness. If you have a puppy or kitten who is over 8 weeks old and under 1 year old, Petplan offer a free 4-week cover, with no obligation to continue (and no financial details taken). We can even sign you up in the clinic using the details we already have (it takes none of your time) and then you have 1 month to decide whether you wish to continue insurance thereafter: it’s what we call a no-brainer.
Chat with our team to learn more about insurance for your pet.