Congratulations if you are thinking of purchasing a new kitten! Cats are great friends and can provide a lot of happiness and companionship to your life. Before bringing a kitten home, there are a few important kitten health considerations to keep in mind. You can follow this vet checklist to learn everything you need to know to get ready for your new kitten.
Health Checklist Before Adoption
Remove any poisonous plants your kitty might want to gnaw on before the kitten arrives. The lily is the main offender. Kidney failure can result if a kitten licks water that a lily has been sitting in.
Look around the house for additional possible trouble spots, such as loose strings or earbud cords. To prevent a curious, climbing kitten from falling out of windows above the main floor, use tight-fitting screens. You may also prevent a kitten from being tangled by wrapping wires from drapes or blinds out of the way.
Food and water bowls
Make sure to get a commercial diet designed especially for developing kittens if your new addition is younger than six months. These young cats require more calories and have a different kitten nutrition balance than senior cats.
You may keep your new cat from growing up with finicky feeding habits by giving them a combination of wet and dry food. If your cat ever needs prescription food as an adult, this can be especially crucial.
To monitor intake and avoid overfeeding, measure the amount of food you give your cat. In this manner, when your kitten is spayed or neutered, you and your veterinarian can make the necessary changes to keep them from gaining weight.
Purchasing a pet water fountain is a terrific idea because many cats prefer to sip rushing water. However, if your new kitty prefers standing water, you should also provide them a bowl of it.
Litter box specifications
A decent litter box is unquestionably essential for kittens. Open-topped litter boxes are preferred by many kittens and cats.
If your kitten is really small, you might want to start with a smaller litter box so they can easily get in and out. Your cat should always have plenty of space to wander about inside the litter box, so if you do get a smaller box, change it as they become bigger.
Put around one inch of litter in the box while your cat is still little. Then, as they get bigger, add one to three inches of litter to the box.
Don't forget to pick up trash every day. Once a month, completely replace any clumping litter. Litter that doesn't clump should be replaced more often, usually once or twice a week.
Toys and scratching surfaces
A kitten playing with toys is the cutest thing ever, and toys are crucial for teaching your cat acceptable play so they won't think it's fun to bite hands and feet. When kittens are young, playful biting may be adorable, but with an adult cat, this is less likely.
Popular options include mouse toys, catnip toys, and teaser wands. However, kittens who are left on their own with a wand may chew on the strings and possibly swallow them, which could cause a medical emergency. Therefore, teaser wands should only be used during active play with you.
The materials and orientations that cats prefer to scratch will vary. To find out which sort your kitten prefers, give them a variety of scratchers. You may discover that a number of them meet their scratching requirements.
Scratchers made of cardboard are cheap and can be positioned both vertically and horizontally. Another popular option is a standing sisal scratcher, but make sure it's tall enough for your kitten to stretch from the base to the top.
Vaccines and vet screening
Choose the appropriate carrier before the veterinarian visit. Choose a carrier that can be used as a bed to keep it comfortable, or look for one with a "lid" to make going in and out during the exam less stressful. Long before the appointment, let your kitten explore the carrier and give your kitten treats when they spend time inside.
Visit the vet within the first week
The doctor can ensure that your kitten is healthy and secured with parasite control that might infect humans, such as intestinal parasites and fleas. Planning how she will interact with other cats in your home might be aided by identifying viral illnesses such as feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus.
In addition to giving your kitten a full set of kitten vaccines and boosters during the physical examination, the veterinarian will check for congenital conditions such as heart murmur, hernia, or cleft palate. These vaccines must then be updated at least once a year.
Plan for the first year of healthcare
Despite their tendency to conceal suffering, cats are not as resilient as they may appear! For a consistent vaccination plan, It's important to observe and track any shifts in behavior, activity level, and demeanor over time. Make an appointment for your kitten to be spayed or neutered before it is seven months old.
Health Care After Bringing Kitten Home
Usually, cats do not exhibit problematic behavior as a sign of disapproval or frustration with their humans. A sudden stop of eating, withdrawal, excessive vocalization, or any other behavior that is not typical of the kitten can be considered as functional warning signs rather than as emotional reactions. Kittens can deteriorate very fast and thus, any change in behavior should be taken as a sign that something needs checking.
If you get in touch with a vet early, you will be able to make sure that problems are detected before erupting. The following are some of the most common signs to watch for:
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In case your cat does not eat anymore, and is very quiet, or behaves in a way which is totally opposite to your cat's usual behavior, then you should immediately get in touch with a veterinarian.
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Do not think that the changes in a kitten’s behavior are just “mood swings”; most probably they point to the need for a veterinary check-up or the need for the environment to be adjusted.
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If your cat is straining, showing agitation around the litter box, or making unsuccessful attempts to relieve itself, you should take your pet to the vet right away.
Mild fluctuations in a pet’s appetite or energy may sometimes be due to stress caused by exposure to a new environment, traveling, or presence of a new pet in the household. Yet, if the alterations in the pet's condition last longer than a few days and the pet seems to be in pain or is more than usual restless, it is fitting to arrange for a vet check-up.
How to Keep Your Kitten Healthy Long-Term
Avoid becoming overwhelmed by the quantity of information available about kitten health! Although adopting a cat and making the commitment to keep them healthy is a significant responsibility, we are prepared to assist and educate.
Watch their weight
The doctors concur that an overweight cat is unhealthy. Numerous health issues, such as diabetes, arthritis, and liver issues, can result from carrying a few excess pounds. Additionally, an animal's joints and organs are subjected to needless stress when it is overweight.
It is recommended to weigh your cat once a month and contact your veterinarian if you observe any significant increases or decreases.
Groom your kitty daily
Regular brushing not only keeps your cat's coat lustrous, but it also lets you become acquainted with her body and see any changes in texture, form, or softness right away. Any new lumps, bumps, or sore patches should be reported to your veterinarian because they may indicate a variety of uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous medical issues.
Don't skip dental care
Numerous medical conditions, including painful sores, abscesses, and infections, can be brought on by dental disorders. Dental conditions might cause heart and kidney issues if they are not treated.
To keep your cat's mouth and body in optimal condition, cleanings, X-rays, and even extractions could be necessary.
Happy Paws US always puts the kitten's safety, health, and pedigree first. We only work with the best breeders and thus every kitten's lineage is comes from one with verified, high-standard pedigree recognition. This way we are able to control the quality strictly while providing a wide selection of rare colors, strong bloodlines, and different types of temperaments.
Before going to their new home, every kitten receives a full veterinarian check-up and is made ready for travel. You can be sure that your new family member will come healthy, safe, and with everything that is needed for a smooth transition through health screening, kitten vaccination, treatment, microchipping, and USDA-certified documentation since we are very thorough with our process.
If you are ready to welcome a well-bred, fully vetted kitten into your home, we are more than happy to have you reserve one today. Come and claim your position now and let Happy Paws US take you through a safe, seamless and joyful adoption experience.