Kitten Care

Congratulations on the new addition to your family! Your new friend will give you years of unconditional love and companionship. As a responsible pet owner you will want to do the best for your new cat, so here are the basics of kitten care.

You can now insure your pet’s health.  Most insurance policies cover a huge range of accidents and illness—even referral to specialist centres. Ask us for brochures from the best insurance providers, or ask your home and contents insurer about pet insurance.

Click here for more information on pet insurance.

At this age most kittens are finding their feet and exploring their new home.  They prefer being fed a good quality kitten food 3-4 times daily, or alternatively some kittens prefer to graze on their dry biscuits throughout the day.  We recommend using Royal Canin Kitten Food as it is a complete diet with all the vitamins and minerals needed for growth. This is available in both dry biscuits and wet food.

Vaccination

If your kitten will be indoors at all times, an F3 vaccination that covers cat flu and feline enteritis is sufficient.  However, if your cat will likely spend some time outdoors, we recommend  vaccinating for the feline aids virus (FIV) as well.  An F3 vaccination is given at 6, 9 and 12 weeks old, with the FIV given at 9, 12 and 15 weeks.

Intestinal Worming

All kittens should be wormed with Milbemax worm tablets at 6, 8 and 12 weeks of age (only if above 0.5kg bodyweight).  Worms can cause illness and death in young cats, and can be transmitted to people where they can cause serious problems in young children.  For kittens that won’t take tablets, a top-spot topical wormer, Profender, is very effective.

Fleas

Fleas are the single biggest cause of itching and over-grooming in cats, and on the Sunshine Coast, they are active all year around.  Fleas are everywhere and can quickly infest your home and cat. We recommend using a monthly flea treatment, such as Revolution Plus For Cats or a three-monthly product such as Felpreva which can be used from 9 weeks of age. Please speak to us about other options for flea control. 

Paralysis Ticks

Unfortunately no product can give 100% protection, so daily searching is recommended if you live in a tick area. We recommend Frontline Spray which is safe to use from 2 days of age. After 9 weeks of age we recommend Revolution Plus For Cats or Felpreva, which protects against ticks and fleas for 10 weeks. 

Microchipping

It is now compulsory for all kittens to be microchipped when between 8 and 12 weeks of age.  A code unique to your animal is implanted on a chip approximately the size of a grain of rice, and is injected under the skin between the shoulder blades.  We can do this when your kitten is in for their 2^nd or 3^rd vaccination.

Registration

All cats must be registered with the Sunshine Coast Regional Council by the time they are 12 weeks of age.  Please visit their website to download the relevant form and read about the Council’s rules and regulations about cat ownership. 

Vaccinations

Vaccinations for outdoors cats finish at 15 weeks of age (FIV vaccination), and these kittens are ready to go outdoors 2 weeks later.

Intestinal Worming

Continue to worm against intestinal worms monthly.

Fleas

Provide flea treatments using Revolution Plus For Cats spot on or Felpreva.

Paralysis Ticks

Continue to provide treatments using Revolution Plus Cat spot on or Felpreva.

Desexing

Both male and female cats can benefit from desexing at this age.  Neutering prevents unwanted litters, reduces reproductive and hormone-related conditions, as well as cancer of the reproductive organs.  In addition, behavioural problems can be controlled such as aggression, roaming, territorial marking, crying to go outside and urine spraying.  Entire cats are much more likely to be seen at the vet for cat fight abscesses, motor vehicle injuries and immune problems from catching feline aids (FIV).

Vaccinations

Annual vaccinations will ensure that your cat remains protected against the more common diseases.  A reminder letter will be posted to you when your cat is due.

Intestinal Worming

Continue to worm your cat every three months for the rest of their life.

Fleas

Continue to provide flea treatments every month or every 3 months depending on your preferred preventative product (refer to the product directions).

Paralysis Ticks

Continue to provide regular and on-going preventatives for the life of your cat.

Kitten enrichment involves stimulating a kitten’s natural instincts to hunt, climb, and explore through environmental, social, and food-based activities. Effective methods include using wand toys for interactive play, providing vertical space like cat trees, utilizing puzzle feeders for mental stimulation, and offering rotating toys to prevent boredom. Cat trees, tunnels, outdoor cat runs, wands, food puzzles and lick mats are great for preventing boredom and potential behavioural issues. 

Place kitten litter trays in quiet, low-traffic areas with easy access. Choose ventilated spots, avoid loud appliances, and keep trays clean to prevent aversion. Never keep food and water near the litter trays, as cats will naturally avoid eating near their litter tray. A general rule of thumb is one litter tray per cat, plus an extra one in another location. Cats may have different preferences to litter texture and different types of trays. Litter trays should be cleaned daily.