Kittens require a course of 3 vaccinations, 2 to 4 weeks apart, to be given by your veterinarian: the first one at 8-9 weeks of age, and the last one at 16-17 weeks of age, followed by yearly boosters. The vaccine protects against feline enteritis and cat flu.

Another thing to do when you adopt a kitten is proper worm treatment. Kittens need to be dewormed with a vet-approved product every 2 weeks until they are 12 weeks of age, then monthly until 6 months of age, and then 3-monthly thereafter. Please make sure you get the product from your vet clinic. Good oral allwormers are Endogard, Drontal, Milbemax or Milpro. The only topical allwormer available in New Zealand (used on the skin in the back of the neck) is Profender, which can be used on kittens from 8 weeks of age. At Cat Hotel Stoney Creek we use Endogard allwormer tablets.

Also, make sure you treat your kitten/cat regularly with a proper vet-approved flea product all year round. Monthly topical flea treatments (used on the skin in the back of the neck) are Advantage, Frontline, Revolution, Advocate and Nexgard spectra. A monthly oral flea treatment is Comfortis. Then there is Bravecto topical flea treatment, which lasts three months, and can be used on kittens from 11 weeks of age. At Cat Hotel Stoney Creek we use Advantage monthly flea treatment.

Some flea products treat (some) worms, too. Nexgard spectra (and Broadline before that) is the only flea treatment that treats all worms as well. Revolution, Revolution plus, Bravecto plus and Advocate treat some worms, but not tapeworm, so you will still have to use an allwormer treatment.

Kittens should be desexed between 4 and 6 months of age. Please be a responsible owner, and make absolutely sure you want to make the commitment to look after your new cat friend for about 15 years! Apart from the things discussed earlier, make sure your kitten gets lots of tender loving care, toys, good quality cat food (kittens need special kitten food until about 12 months of age), and attention. You will find you’ll get lots of affection in return!

Links:

https://icatcare.org/advice/thinking-of-getting-a-cat/

https://icatcare.org/advice/choosing-a-kitten/