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GENERAL CAT AND KITTEN CARE
VACCINATION:
Do not omit to have your kitten vaccinated.� A combined Enteritis/Cat Flu injection at 12 weeks of age with a booster at 16 weeks will protect your pet. � Thereafter an annual; booster is recommended.
If your kitten shows signs of sickness - vomiting, diarrhoea, listlessness, seek veterinary advice at once.� Also if bald patches appear on its body.
DE-SEXING:
When you have your kitten vaccinated talk to your veterinarian about desexing. � Female kittens should be spayed around 5 to 6 months and male kittens neutered at 6 to 7 months.� Mature cats may be desexed at any age.
WHAT TO FEED YOUR CAT:
If possible, find out what your new pet is accustomed to eating and keep him on the same food for the first few weeks as a sudden change of diet could upset his tummy.
You can use prepared tinned food OR a mixture of fresh and prepared food.
Prepared food:��� Most proprietary brands of cat food contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals to provide a balance diet.� If you adopt this method, it is extremely important to read and follow the manufacture's instructions and fees accordingly.� For many people, this method is the most satisfactory.
A mixture of foods:�� You may prefer (and so may your cat!) to use a mixture of foods, giving fresh meat or fish several times a week and tinned food and/or the crunchy dried cat food in between times.
Meat is best fed raw.� Fish may be cooked or raw, but a diet too high in fish can lead to a vitamin deficiency causing brain disease.� Raw fish must be fed when fresh.
Dried Food:�� Most cats enjoy dried foods, which is convenient for the owner and good for the cat's teeth.� If this type of food forms part of your cat's diet, it is very important that your cat drinks sufficient water as bladder or urinary tract problems may result if liquid intake is insufficient.
Milk:�� Many cats enjoy a daily drink of milk, but there are some who react adversely to it and develop diarrhoea.� If this is the case with your cat or kitten, try adding warm water to the milk and if the diarrhoea persists restrict him to water.
Grass:�� All cats and kittens need access to a little grass, which they eat to maintain their natural digestive balance.
Bones:�� Make sure all bones are removed from, cooked fish and chicken, as these can easily get caught in the throat or pierce the intestines. � The results is great suffering and sometimes death.
Water:�� A fresh bowl of water should always be available, even if the cat has milk as well.
Liver:�� May be fed either cooked or raw, but only in moderation - not more than once a week.� Too much liver can cause a bone disease, as well as diarrhoea.
FEEDING KITTENS:
As for cats, you can use tinned food, giving four small meals a day until the age of 12 weeks.� Alternatively, you can prepare your own, using finely ground fresh meat, cooked chicken or fish (no liver for tiny kittens!) cooked rice, cereals such as Farex, as well as some tinned food.
If your kitten cannot digest cows' milk you could try goat's milk or yogurt.� Give your kitten some variety so that it will not become addicted to only one type of food.
Housetraining:�� Place your kitten on his toilet tray immediately after a meal, a sleep or a game.� He will very soon seek out the tray of his own accord.� Be sure to remove the soiled litter regularly, at least twice a day, as many kittens (and cats) will not use a dirty tray.
If your kitten makes a mistake never rub his nose in it.� Just place him quickly on his tray.� To help him get the idea, take his front paw and show him how to scratch the litter.� If he persists in using a certain corner, place another litter tray on that spot.� As your kitten grows, these problems usually solve themselves and your cat will go outside - provided of course he has easy access to the garden at all times.� A cat door is a good idea.
Worming:�� Your new kitten will almost certainly need worming.� Worm tablets can be bought at veterinary clinics, from pet shops and chemists.� Be sure to follow the directions given.� If in doubt, consult your veterinarian.
Flea Control:�� Never use flea powder or spray on kittens under 8 weeks of age without veterinary advice.� Small kittens should be carefully and gently combed every day using a fine metal flea comb to remove both fleas and their eggs.� For adult cats there are many products on the market for the control of fleas. � Your veterinarian will advise you.
Grooming:�� Your long-haired cat will need regular grooming.� Suitable brushes and combs are available from pet shops or your veterinary clinic.� Accustom, a kitten to grooming while it is small.
Moving House:�� Cats moved to a new home sometimes return to their old surroundings.� To avoid this, contain the cat indoors for 4 days, feeding as usual and providing a toilet tray.� During this period let the cat roam the house to get its bearings, keeping doors and windows closed meanwhile.� Let it out for the first time, carrying it around in your arms until it becomes familiar with its new surroundings.
Holiday Times:�� If you go away, whether for the week-end or a longer holiday, you will need to make arrangements for the care of your cat. � You can arrange for a neighbour or a feeding service to care for it at home or put it in a boarding cattery.� If you decide upon the cattery your cat will need an up-to-date vaccination certificate.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Never travel with a cat loose in the car.� It could cause a serious accident.
Cats are best kept home after dark.� This is the time when they are the biggest threat to native birds nesting in trees.� If they have access to a tray and are given a cosy bed they will be content.
Keep your Veterinarian's telephone number handy.� Also the number of your nearest Emergency Clinic.� You never know when you may need it.
CARING FOR A SICK CAT:
Good cat care depends upon careful observation of your cat's behaviour and spotting any changes in routine.
When a cat is feeling unwell, its natural independence usually surfaces.� Some cats will seek attention from their owners, but the majority will often try to conceal any signs of illness, and will often hide away.� Other cats may behave spitefully towards a sick cat, this is also another clue that your cat is unwell.
Always contact your local veterinarian if you notice any changes in your feline's usual routine or changes in their diet.� It is important to take your cat to the vet when necessary, but it is also just as important that you carry out treatments that the vet prescribes.� Make sure you follow your vet's instructions when giving medicines.
Prevention, of course, is always simpler and cheaper than treatment.� So it is a good idea to arrange for routine checkups and this way you can catch any problems early.
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