Kitten Care

Kittens should be at least 6 weeks before they leave their mother. Check out our other article for advise on orphan kittens.

Feeding

If the kittens are thriving find out from the previous owner what he or she has been feeding them. Start with this.

Four daily feeds from 6-12 weeks of age , followed by three daily feeds from 3-5 months of age, Then two meals twice daily of the premium adult formula. Given the choice, most cats like to browse throughout the day. You can buy Cat feeders to allow tidy and hygienic browsing.

Should I give my cat milk?

Milk is optional for cats and kittens.  About one cat in seven cannot tolerate the lactose in cows milk and will develop diarhhoea. For cats that enjoy milk but can’t tolerate it, you can buy lactose reduced products

 What about giving my kitten water?

Water should always be available. Cats fed exclusively on dry formulas have a higher water intake than those fed on fresh or canned formula.

Worms

How do I Toilet train my kitten?

Kittens should be given access to a dirt box from a young age as they will instinctively scratch and bury their faeces. Very young kittens that may eat their litter , you can use newspaper. Kittens are as adverse to bad toilet smells as us so change the litter frequently, use it liberally to soak up wastes and consider an enclosed litter box for better hygiene. Experiment with different types of litter to find you kittens favorite. Eg, Bark, paper mulch or clay based.

Fleas!!!!!

Fleas are the intermediate host for tapeworm. They cause intense irritation to the cat and cat fleas are the cause of 99% of household ‘dust fleas’. There are several excellent products on the market to treat and prevent fleas. These should be used year round in Northern NZ or cats living in warm houses.

What Vaccinations does my kitten really need?

Kittens should be vaccinated 2-3 times , finishing at 12 weeks of age. They need to be protected against Feline Enteritis, Feline Calicivirus and Rhinotracheitis ( Cat Flu) , Feline Chalmydia and Feline Immunodeficiency virus ( Feline Aids ) vaccinations may also be recommended by your vet.

When is the best time to get my kitten desexed?

Deseing The ideal time to desex Cats ( male and Female ) is 5-6 mths of age. Many vets will now desex as young as 8 weeks if necessary. Females are sexually mature as young as 6 months ( as early as 4 months in some Oriental breeds ) and cycle approximately every three weeks through the spring and summer, and occasionally in the autumn and winter. Female Cats will have 2-3 litters per year. They can resume cycling as early as two weeks after having a litter. Male cats tend to become territorial, fight and spray urine after 6 months of age. Most tomcats spray frequently and are therefore unsuitable as household pets. Neither male nor female cats need a litter to mature. Over population is a problem with cats, so part of responsible pet ownership is to have them desexed.

Is there anything special I need to do for my kittens teeth?

Most adult cats end up with dental problems, especially as with better diets and treatments they are now living longer. so its is recommended that you establish good dental practices early in life to protect them against decay, tooth loss and general debility. Kitten dental care packs and dental Friendly diets are available

Do I need Pet Insurance?

Financial worries should not should not compromise the medical care that your pet recieves. Taking out insurance with an experienced company will buy you considerable peace of mind.For further information click on this link.