Kitten Care FAQs
Vaccinations
How many vaccinations does my kitten need to have?
Your kitten should have 3 – 4 vaccinations 4 weeks apart – if they have their first vaccine at 6 weeks they will require 4, if they have their first vaccine at 8 weeks they will require 3 as they need to be 16 weeks old when they have their last vaccination booster.
How often does my kitten need to be vaccinated?
Every 4 weeks until they are 16 weeks old.
What should my kitten be vaccinated against?
At a minimum, your kitten should be vaccinated against calicivirus, herpesvirus and feline parvovirus.
Microchipping & Registration
My kitten has already been microchipped, does that mean they are registered too?
No, microchipping and registration are different things – if your kitten has already been microchipped a form will have been sent to your local council by whoever implanted the microchip identifying you as the owner – the council should send you a letter about registration a few weeks to months later. You can also register your pet online via the NSW pet registry – https://www.petregistry.nsw.gov.au/#/ (assuming council has received the paperwork).
How often do I need to pay their registration?
Only once – if you desex your pet by the recommended age (6 months for a dog, 4 months for a cat) the fee will be greatly reduced.
How do I change my kittens details to mine?
Normally the breeder will have a change of ownership form for you to fill out when you purchase the kitten and that form gets sent to council – we can also provide you with this form if you haven’t filled one out already.
When can kittens be microchipped?
Kittens are microchipped from 6 – 8 weeks of age.
Desexing
When can I have my kitten desexed?
Kittens can be desexed and are now required to be desexed at 4 months of age.
Can I have a discount on my kittens desexing?
Unfortunately not as desexings are already done at a discounted price.
Does my kitten require ongoing pain relief after desexing?
It is not mandatory however they will experience some discomfort for at least a few days after surgery and therefore it is nice for them to have a few days of pain relief at home.
How long does my kitten need to be kept quiet after desexing?
Ideally, until their stitches are removed – this is 10 days after surgery. Male kittens don’t have any stitches however it is still recommended that they are kept quiet for 2 – 3 days post-surgery.
Why should I get my kitten desexed?
There are many health AND behavioural benefits with desexing your cat – the only reason you shouldn’t is if you are planning to breed from them.
Feeding
How often should I feed my kitten?
Depending on how old your kitten is they can be fed 2 – 3 times a day (3 times if younger).
What should I feed my kitten?
We recommend a good quality kitten dry food as we know this will be completely balanced with all the ingredients in the correct ratios to give them the best chance at growing correctly. Royal Canin and/or Hill’s are our top recommendations for brand.
Does my kitten need to have wet food too?
If you have your kitten on a good quality kitten dry food they do not need anything else.
Intestinal Worming
Is intestinal worm prevention the same as heartworm prevention?
No, they are different –intestinal worms can be spread between kittens, heartworm is spread via infected mosquitoes – some products will cover both but not all.
How often do I need to intestinal worm my kitten?
Every 2 weeks until they are 12 weeks old, then monthly until they are 6 months old, then every 3 months.
What should I use to intestinal worm my kitten?
We recommend Fenpral.
Flea Prevention
What is safe to use on my kitten for flea prevention?
Advantage can be used on kittens younger than 8 weeks of age, otherwise, we recommend Bravecto Plus which is safe from 9 weeks of age (assuming weight at least 1.2kg).
How often should I use flea prevention on my kitten?
Advantage can be done every 2 weeks if needed for flea control otherwise every 4 weeks and Bravecto Plus is always every 2 months
Tick Prevention
What should I use on my kitten for tick prevention?
Bravecto Plus is safe from 9 weeks of age (and 1.2kg in weight).
How often does my kitten need tick prevention?
If you use Bravecto Plus it is every 2 months, the interval will depend on the product – please call us if you require more specific advice.
Heartworm
Does my kitten need heartworm prevention?
Yes – heartworm is carried by mosquitoes and thus if an infected mosquito bites your cat they are susceptible. Heartworm disease can be deadly as the worms lodge in the base of the heart – you can use a product called Bravecto plus and apply it every 2 months as long as they are at least 9 weeks of age and weigh at least 1.2kg
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