Cat Vaccinations
These are usually given at 9 weeks and 12 weeks of age and protect your kitten against Rhinotracheitis, Calici Virus (which cause cat flu), panleukopaenia and Feline Leukaemia Virus.
Visit our Pet Vaccinations page for more information about the diseases which are protected as well as answers to many frequently asked questions.
(Cat Vaccinations are included in our Maven Health Care Club)
Worming your new cat
Kittens should be given worm treatment once every 2 weeks from birth to 8 weeks of age; once every 3 months until they are 6 months old and then every 3 - 6 months for life.
Worming treatment can be bought from many sources. However, you need to ensure the worming treatment you get for your kitten protects against all worms.
Our vets and nurses can advise you on the best product for your pet and all worming treatment is included in our Maven Health Care Club.
Common worms which your kitten should be protected against include intestinal Worms: These live in the intestines of dogs and cats and eggs can be passed out in faeces. Kittens can get worms from eating or licking areas where eggs have been and from feeding from mum if she has worms. Some worms can also be picked up by people and can cause illness.
Flea Control in Kittens
Fleas can be found in indoor and outdoor environments and feed on our pets (and sometimes us).
They then return to the environment to lay up to 40-50 eggs per day.
As fleas bite to feed they can also cause a lot of itching and, in some cases, severe skin allergies.
To protect your kitten (and your house) flea prevention can be used to kill fleas before they have a chance to lay eggs.
This is usually given as a ‘spot on’ solution applied to the back of your kitten's neck once a month.
There are several brands of flea control available, some which are more effective than others.
Our vets and nurses will advise you on the best product to protect your kitten and the products we recommend are included in the Maven Health Care Club.
Feeding your kitten
There are many diets available for kittens from home cooked preparations to commercially prepared diets.
At Maven Vets we recommend Royal Canin Lifestage diets. These have been carefully developed with a lot of research into correct nutrition for your cat in all stages of life. Members of the Maven Health Care Club enjoy a 10% discount on Royal Canin Lifestage diets.
You can choose between wet food (pouched food) or dry food (biscuits).
Early in life kittens need to eat often. They need enough food to help with growth but have limited space in their stomachs so manage best with small meals fed often.
At Maven vets we recommend feeding 4 equal meals daily until 3 months of age, then 3 meals daily until 6 months of age.
At 6 months of age your kitten can be fed twice daily which can be continued for life.
Some cats prefer to graze feed meaning food is left down throughout the day.
The amount you need to feed depends on your kitten’s age as well as the food you feed.
You can find more information about kitten nutrition on the Royal Canin website.
Our nurses will also guide you in feeding your kitten throughout the first year during your kitten’s free health checks.
Please always ensure your kitten has access to a supply of fresh water.
Microchipping your cat
Having chosen your new kitten the last thing you want to do is to lose him or her!
Kittens are inquisitive and can wander if they get out: unfortunately, they can also get lost on their adventures.
Microchipping is the ideal way to identify your kitten and register him or her as yours.
Unlike collars the microchip is a permanent implant which sits under their skin.
If a kitten is scanned (by a dog warden or vet) and a micro-chip is found your kitten can quickly be identified and safely returned to you.
Please visit our page on microchipping for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.
(Maven Health Care Club members benefit from 10% off this essential safety procedure.)
Cat Neutering
Unless you are planning to breed from your kitten, we encourage you to have them neutered
There are a number of health benefits to neutering which are explained in detail on our Pet Neutering page.
At Maven Vets we recommend male kitten be castrated from 4 months of age.
We recommend female kittens are spayed at approximately 4 months of age, before their first season.
Research has shown that neutered pets may live up to 2 years longer than those that are not neutered.
It also reduces the risk of certain types of cancer and other health problems.
New Cat Insurance
Keeping your kitten healthy is your priority (and ours!).
However, accidents can happen and unfortunately, kittens can become unwell.
Insuring your kitten for accident and illness means you can have peace of mind that, if you need to take your kitten to the vet, you do not have to worry about the cost of their treatment.
Click here to activate your Free 4 week’s insurance or request an appointment for your kitten’s health check and enhanced Free 4 week’s insurance.
Visit our Insurance page for more information and advice on choosing the correct policy.
Grooming your kitten's coat
Looking after your kitten's coat and skin helps keep him or her healthy.
Starting grooming when they are young will help them to accept this and many even enjoy their grooming!
What your kitten needs will depend on their breed and coat type.
Our nurses will give you full advice in your free kitten chats.
For those pups who need a professional groomer there are several to choose from; links to local groomers can be found on our Local Pet Services page.
When can my kitten go out?
Your kitten is safe to go out 14 days after their second vaccination.
However, ideally, they should not go out until they have been neutered at 4 months of age.
When can my kitten go out?
Your kitten is safe to go out 14 days after their second cat vaccinations.
However, ideally, they should not go out until they have been neutered at 4 months of age.