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1) Do I really need to vaccinate the kitten every few weeks as she grows? The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) differentiates between “core” and “non-core” vaccines. Core vaccines are those that every cat should receive, while non-core vaccines may be given on an as-need basis according to the lifestyle of the cat. Rabies vaccine is core, and also legally required in certain states. For kittens, it is generally given once at three to four months of age. Distemper (panleukopenia) and upper respiratory viruses (herpesvirus, calicivirus) are also considered core. These vaccines need to be given in a series, given every few weeks until the kitten is 12-16 weeks old. Feline leukemia (FeLV) vaccine is most important for cats that may be going outside, or in contact with infected cats or cats of unknown virus status. Kittens are particularly susceptible to this disease, so this vaccine is recommended by the AAFP as part of the initial series for at-risk cats (non-core). There are other non-core vaccines and for more information on these, select our Vaccines and Vaccinations article set, or explore http://www.aafponline.org/resources/practice_guidelines.htm and choose "Feline Vaccination Guidelines" for full recommendations that veterinarians refer to. Booster vaccines allow the protection to become effective, like a flight of stairs; the first vaccine gets you to the landing, but you need the second vaccine several weeks later to get the immunity level all the way to the top. In addition, immunity substances in the mother’s milk called antibodies, may prevent the vaccines from becoming effective at an early age in some kittens, which is why the vaccines need to be given until the kittens are 12-16 weeks old. Your veterinarian will design a vaccination plan based on risks of exposure to diseases, tailored to your kitten’s needs.
2) Why do I need to keep paying for de-worming even if my fecal samples are negative? According to the Center for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov/healthypets), kittens should be de-wormed several times beginning at three weeks of age, regardless of fecal test results. Kittens are frequently infected by roundworms and hookworms while nursing, and can also catch them due to contamination in the environment. These worms can make kittens quite ill, with signs such as diarrhea and vomiting (see Vomiting and Diarrhea articles). These parasites are also potentially a health risk for people (see Zoonoses—Diseases Shared with Our Pets). Because it can take several weeks for the worms to mature in the kitten’s intestines, fecal tests, which look for eggs being passed from adult worms, may be negative even if an infection is present. This is one reason why it is important to de-worm multiple times, to make sure there are no worms present. Other types of intestinal parasites are common in kittens. Coccidia (single-celled parasites), and tapeworms are examples of these. These require different types of medicine than roundworms and hookworms, which is why more than one de-wormer may be given to your kitten. For more detail, please visit our parasite section ( Parasites).
3) What should my kitten care routine be at home? Hygiene is important for kittens, just like for people! Here are some tips on keeping your kitten in tip-top shape:
• Tooth-brushing is the best way to prevent dental disease such as gum inflammation and tartar. There are a variety of toothbrush styles available, but it is important to use cat toothpaste because cats will swallow the paste. Start slowly and get your kitten used to the sensation. Eventually work up to brushing on a daily basis. See our Tooth Brushing and Pearly Whites articles for more information.
• Those sharp claws will need to be trimmed on a regular basis to prevent damage to you and your furniture. We recommend having your veterinarian or groomer demonstrate proper trimming technique. Please also review our Nail Trim article for a detailed outline of the procedure. Cats should be introduced to scratching post as soon as they come into your home. Make sure to have a good supply of scratching posts on-hand! ( www.purrfectpost.com )
• Regular grooming not only keeps your house clean, it helps prevent hairballs (see our article Hairballs). Different coat lengths call for different styles of brushes. For example, long-hair cats do well with a wire “slicker” brush and a wide-toothed comb for the knots, while short-hair cats, because they don’t develop such large knots, do well with a softer brush or “flea comb” (narrow-toothed comb). Review the Grooming and Bathing article for more information. Provide regular flea and tick preventives, as well as heartworm preventives if you live in a geographic region where this parasite is prevalent. See our articles Fleas, Ticks, and Feline Heartworm for more information.
4) Why is my kitten so energetic, and what can I do about it? The normal kitten is a bundle of energy one minute, fast asleep the next. Active play with your kitten is not only fun, but it brings you closer together and teaches your kitten appropriate play behavior. (explore the Normal Feline Behavior, Inappropriate Play, and Aggression article set) Playing with your kitten several times each day may also help tire him out so YOU can sleep at night! Conversely, it is important to give Kitten time to rest. Just like children, naptime is a time to regroup, get new energy, and relax.
5) How can I tell if she is growing properly? The average kitten gains 100 grams each week for the first six months, averaging to about one pound each month. Males tend to gain weight a bit more quickly, and be a bit larger than females. Your kitten should be playful, eating well, and have regular bowel movements. Her ribs should have padding so they are not felt too easily. If you are concerned about your kitten’s growth rate, we recommend a visit to your veterinarian. If you are bottle-feeding orphaned kittens, it is critical to weigh them daily and maintain a log. For more information, see Raising Orphans. Feeding decisions should be made in consultation with your veterinarian, but select the links to Nutrition and Feeding, Feeding Cats, Alternative Foods and Food Purchase Decisions articles for more information. Make sure you select kitten food, and not adult or dog food. Read more about the nutritional needs for kittens in our nutrition section.
6) When do I call a veterinarian? Most kittens will have been recently adopted from a shelter, pet store, cattery or breeder, or brought in from the farm or outdoors. They may have picked up problems before the adoption, and only now be showing signs. If you see any of the signs below, or anything else that concerns you, please contact your veterinarian:
• Diarrhea, or straining to pass bowel movements
• Frequent or ongoing vomiting
• Lethargy, not eating
• Black ear discharge with itching
• Eye or nose discharge with sneezing (see Upper Respiratory Tract Infections)
• Not using the litter-box, or straining in the litter box
• Hair loss or rash
No other creature is quite like a kitten! The first year of a kitten’s life is an amazing time—within twelve short months she will reach adulthood. There is so much to learn about keeping your kitten healthy and happy! It is important to lay a strong foundation at home now to support her the rest of her life so take time now to learn all you can about preventive health care.
Disclaimer: This website is not intended to replace professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment by a licensed veterinarian. If you require any veterinary related advice, contact your veterinarian promptly. Information at Cathealth.com is exclusively of a general reference nature. Do not disregard veterinary advice or delay treatment as a result of accessing information at this site.
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