Kitten Care Factsheet
Vaccination
Vaccinations give your kitten the best start in life with protection against Panleukopaenia and Cat Flu
(Rhinotracheitis and Feline Calicivirus). We also offer a vaccine for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (AKA
Feline AIDS), which is recommended for cats that will spend large amounts of time outdoors. Please tell us
if you would like your kitten to be vaccinated against FIV.
For full protection, vaccinations need to be given at 6-8 weeks old, 12-14 weeks old, 16-18 weeks old and then yearly for life.
Tick Prevention
You should start giving tick prevention at 8 weeks old. We live in a high tick area and see cases of tick paralysis all throughout the year. We recommend Bravecto, which is a topical treatment that is applied to the skin on the back of the neck every 10 weeks.
Flea Prevention
Flea prevention should be started at 8 weeks old. Many cats are allergic to flea bites and can develop skin irritations due to flea infestations. We recommend applying Bravecto every 10 weeks, which kills fleas at all life stages.
Intestinal Worming Prevention
Intestinal worming should be started at 8 weeks old. We recommend Milpro tablets, which cover roundworm, whipworm, hookworm and tapeworm.
Worming is given every 2 weeks between 8 weeks old and 12 weeks old, then monthly until 6 months. Worming is then done 3 monthly from 6 months of age.
Microchipping and Registration
Microchipping is the most effective way to help ensure your pet can be returned to you if it becomes lost.
By law in NSW, all cats must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age or before being sold or given away whichever happens first. Penalties may apply for failing to microchip your pet.
Once your cat is microchipped, they must be registered by 6 months of age. The registration fee is a once-only payment. Penalties may apply for failing to register your cat. Discounted registration fees apply to catsthat are desexed by 4 months of age. To register your cat, head to petregistry.nsw.gov.au or call your local Council.
Feeding
Kittens need a carefully balanced diet to help them grow and should be fed a kitten-specific diet until theyare 1 year old. We recommend a premium kibble like Delicate Care.
Desexing
We recommend desexing your cat by 5-6 months of age, however you may have to pay additional fees to the Council if your cat is not desexed by 4 months of age.
Litter Training
Kittens don’t have the same toileting control as adult cats, so it’s a good idea to have multiple litter trays throughout the house while they are litter training. Their permanent litter tray should be somewhere that they feel safe and secure.
As a general rule you should have one litter tray per cat plus one more, and each tray should be fully cleaned at least once a day.
What They Can and Cannot Eat
Kittens will often try to get into things they shouldn’t. These are some of the everyday things that are toxic to cats and should be avoided:
– Lilies (including the stems and leaves)
– Chocolate
– Onions
– Ibuprofen
– Paracetamol
– Scented oil diffusers
If you’re ever unsure about what your kitten can and can’t eat, or if they have eaten something they shouldn’t, please call us for advice.