Taking Care of Your Kittens

Vaccination

Vaccination serves to build up immunity to prevent unnecessary suffering of your kittens.

Kittens receive protection against Feline Enteritis and Cat Flu through vaccinations. Assuming their mothers have been appropriately vaccinated, your kittens should receive vaccinations at 6 - 8 weeks, 12 - 14 weeks and 16 - 18 weeks and once yearly thereafter.
 
It is also strongly recommended to vaccinate kittens against Feline Immunodeficiency Virus at the same time as vaccinating against Feline Enteritis and Cat Flu. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus vaccination is especially important for kittens that may go outdoors or have contact with outdoor cats.

Our veterinarians conduct thorough clinical examinations of your kittens before each vaccination to ensure effectiveness of the vaccines. Our veterinarians establish the vaccination schedules that best suit your kittens. A Vaccination Certificate is issued to each kitten after vaccination.

Do not take your kittens out for socialisation until at least 10 days after the third vaccination at 16 - 18 weeks when an adequate level of immunity has been attained.

Worm Control

Intestinal worms are common worms that may cause ill health in kittens. Kittens may pick up intestinal worm infestation from their environment.

Kittens are wormed once every 2 weeks in early life and once every 3 months thereafter.

Our veterinarians conduct thorough clinical examinations of kittens before dispensing the correct dosage of worming medicine each time.

Nutrition

Nutrition is important to the growth and development of kittens. Do not give only liver and/or milk to  kittens. Feed them a complete and balanced diet each day in accordance with each of their daily requirements. Our veterinarians are able to give advice on the best nutrition and feeding regime for your kittens.

Flea Control

Fleas are parasites that may be found on the body surface of kittens. They suck blood and cause anaemia. Fleas may transmit tapeworm that stays in the intestine of kittens. Fleas are also found in our living environment which cause nuisance to us.

Our veterinarians can advise the correct flea control programs for kittens and living environs.

Desexing

Unwanted pregnancies result in uncontrolled growth of the cat population, which often leads to unnecessary euthanasia. Kittens can be dexexed from 16 weeks onwards. Desexing prevents adverse behaviours such as fighting among male cats.

Our veterinarians advise on the most appropriate time to conduct desexing operations on kittens.

Microchipping

Microchips are a 'rice like' electronic device that contains information about the kitten. It is the best means of identification. Microchips are especially useful in identifying and reuniting kittens with their owners when lost. Microchip implantation can be conducted at any time during the consultation.
 
Our veterinarians advise on  microchipping and adding identification of kittens to the registry.

Behaviour

Kittens like scratching, especially furniture and door frames. This behaviour prevents overgrowth of their claws. It is not necessary to ask veterinarians to surgically remove their claws to stop them from scratching. Kittens may not realise that their claws have been removed and injury always occurs when they jump. Providing a scratching pole or carpet piece for them to scratch will solve the problem.

Kittens may not like to be fed one or two big meals everyday. They like nibbling. Ensure food and water are available at all times. Dry food is preferable as it does not spoil in kittens' food bowls.

Kittens may not urinate and/or defeacate in the litter tray provided for them. Remove the waste and clean up the area immediately. Place food bowls in those areas if they habitually urinate and/or defeacate at some specific locations. Kittens do not like their feeding areas to be dirty.