Your kitten's best start in life
If you are, or are about to be, the proud mum or dad of a new kitten, congratulations! To help you on your rewarding life journey with your bundle of fur, here is some basic advice on nutrition, vaccination, worms and fleas.
Nutrition
Proper feeding of a growing kitten is essential for optimum development and will give the best start to a long and healthy life. Consistently feeding the wrong food can cause nutritional imbalances which can lead to disease. A young animal's nutritional needs are very different from an adult's and must be met by the small amount of food that a small stomach can hold. The ideal kitten food should be complete and balanced, which means it should contain all essential nutrients in the correct ratio. To allow for the huge growth during the kitten stage, the food should also be energy-dense, easily absorbed and utilised. Always use a kitten-specific food.
Before you collect your new bundle, purchase the food the breeder has been using. This is because young kittens have very sensitive tummies and a sudden change of diet can cause diarrhoea, which can lead to dehydration, a very serious condition in young animals. If you do want to change the diet, do so over 7 to 10 days, gradually reducing the old food and increasing the new one.
Vaccinations
There are many diseases that can be fatal to kittens. Fortunately, we have the ability to prevent many of these by the use of very effective vaccines. In order to be effective, these vaccines must be given as a series of at least two injections, three to four weeks apart, with the last vaccine given at 12 weeks or greater. Kittens can have thier first vaccination from 8 weeks of age.
Worms
Most kittens become infected with worms before they are born or later through their mother's milk. We recommend that kittens should be wormed from 2 weeks of age, every 2 weeks until 12 weeks old, then every month until 6 months old, then every 3 months thereafter. In kittens under 12 weeks old, always ensure worming tablets kill hookworm and roundworm. After 12 weeks of age, tablets should also kill tapeworm.
Fleas
However cold it is outside, the temperature and humidity inside your house is ideal for supporting an entire population of fleas. With female fleas laying up to 50 eggs a day which fall off your pet into areas of your home, flea infestations can happen within a few weeks, often year-round. There are many products on the market which kill fleas, but you should always ensure they are safe for the age of your kitten. At Totally Vets, all our products are safe to use from 8 weeks of age, with some safe from just 2 weeks of age. The best way to prevent fleas in kittens up to weaning is to deflea their mother at regular intervals. However, in the case of infestations in very young kittens, consult your vet as soon as possible as these can be fatal. The key to eradicating fleas after weaning is to apply products regularly as indicated, and year-round. Flea bites can cause allergies, which in turn can be the start of a life of skin problems and vet visits. By ensuring your pet is treated regularly, your home and pet will be flea-free.
For further information on kitten nutrition, vaccination, worms and fleas, please see our friendly reception team who will be delighted to give you advice and help you choose the best products for your new pet.
If you are, or are about to be, the proud mum or dad of a new kitten, congratulations! To help you on your rewarding life journey with your bundle of fur, here is some basic advice on nutrition, vaccination, worms and fleas.
Nutrition
Proper feeding of a growing kitten is essential for optimum development and will give the best start to a long and healthy life. Consistently feeding the wrong food can cause nutritional imbalances which can lead to disease. A young animal's nutritional needs are very different from an adult's and must be met by the small amount of food that a small stomach can hold. The ideal kitten food should be complete and balanced, which means it should contain all essential nutrients in the correct ratio. To allow for the huge growth during the kitten stage, the food should also be energy-dense, easily absorbed and utilised. Always use a kitten-specific food.
Before you collect your new bundle, purchase the food the breeder has been using. This is because young kittens have very sensitive tummies and a sudden change of diet can cause diarrhoea, which can lead to dehydration, a very serious condition in young animals. If you do want to change the diet, do so over 7 to 10 days, gradually reducing the old food and increasing the new one.
Vaccinations
There are many diseases that can be fatal to kittens. Fortunately, we have the ability to prevent many of these by the use of very effective vaccines. In order to be effective, these vaccines must be given as a series of at least two injections, three to four weeks apart, with the last vaccine given at 12 weeks or greater. Kittens can have thier first vaccination from 8 weeks of age.
Worms
Most kittens become infected with worms before they are born or later through their mother's milk. We recommend that kittens should be wormed from 2 weeks of age, every 2 weeks until 12 weeks old, then every month until 6 months old, then every 3 months thereafter. In kittens under 12 weeks old, always ensure worming tablets kill hookworm and roundworm. After 12 weeks of age, tablets should also kill tapeworm.
Fleas
However cold it is outside, the temperature and humidity inside your house is ideal for supporting an entire population of fleas. With female fleas laying up to 50 eggs a day which fall off your pet into areas of your home, flea infestations can happen within a few weeks, often year-round. There are many products on the market which kill fleas, but you should always ensure they are safe for the age of your kitten. At Totally Vets, all our products are safe to use from 8 weeks of age, with some safe from just 2 weeks of age. The best way to prevent fleas in kittens up to weaning is to deflea their mother at regular intervals. However, in the case of infestations in very young kittens, consult your vet as soon as possible as these can be fatal. The key to eradicating fleas after weaning is to apply products regularly as indicated, and year-round. Flea bites can cause allergies, which in turn can be the start of a life of skin problems and vet visits. By ensuring your pet is treated regularly, your home and pet will be flea-free.
For further information on kitten nutrition, vaccination, worms and fleas, please see our friendly reception team who will be delighted to give you advice and help you choose the best products for your new pet.
