The team at Bath Vets have some suggestions to keep your kitten feeling tip top!
Kittens are no doubt some of the cutest babies we see and this time of year we see lots, which is one of the best aspects of our job! However, we also see the consequences of not taking some simple steps to prevent unwanted health problems.
Parasites Fleas and worms can cause big problems for kittens such as intestinal blockages and life-threatening anaemia, so ensure you are treating your kitten regularly with effective age and species appropriate treatments. Some dog parasite treatments can actually be toxic to cats, so do not use them on your cats, whatever its age.
Infectious diseases Cat flu is rife and whilst it rarely causes death, the viruses are responsible for some debilitating lifelong illnesses, such as blindness and chronic rhinitis which can be expensive to manage. There is a lot of anti-vaccination publicity in the media these days, but the risk of a reaction is far less likely than the chance of your kitten getting one of these illnesses and a simple vaccination course will help protect them. We very much do a risk assessment with regard to yearly vaccine boosters and will advise accordingly as the years go by as to what is needed depending on your cat’s lifestyle.
Neutering As well as preventing unwanted pregnancies, neutering means your kitten is less likely to roam, meaning less chances of encounters with cars and other cats.
Will my cat be OK with somebody else coming in to feed her while we’re away on holiday?
As a rule, cats are almost always better off at home in their own territory where they are happiest and most con dent. Asking responsible friends, neighbours or family, ideally that your cat already knows and who themselves are con dent cat owners, to look after your cat in your own home causes the least disruption and is the low-cost option.
However, if this is not possible, or if your cat has additional requirements eg daily medication, then there are also professional pet-sitters that will visit your home, or even live-in. Some cats will get lonely or anxious if left alone with only a brief visit for feeding and litter tray cleaning once or twice a day.
If your sitter is able to spend some time stroking and playing with your cat during their visits, this can be extremely valuable for both your pet and your peace of mind.
Joanna Everett MRCVS
Clinical Director Bath Vet Group