Caring For Your New Kitten
 

         Why kitten shots?

           Your new kitten ingested natural maternal antibodies while nursing. Over a 6-12 week period, these antibodies diminish
            until the kitten is no longer adequately protected from diseases. Booster vaccines given every 2-3 weeks make sure that
            we can help your kitten build up their own immunity. After the booster series are given your pet then can move to an
            annual vaccine schedule keeping them healthy throughout their lives. Throughout the first year monitor your pet's 
            behavior to see if they are interested in going  outdoors or trying to escape to the outdoors. If they are then you will
            want to continue the Feline Leukemia (Felv) vaccine yearly. If they are not interested in the outdoors and you plan to
            keep them indoors for life, you can opt to discontinue the Felv vaccine.

            Vaccination Schedule: (based on your kitten's age)
          
            6 weeks - Felv/FIV test, FV4 #1, Fecal Float, and Deworming
            9 weeks - FV4 #2, Felv #1, Deworming
            12 weeks - FV4 #3, Felv #2, Deworming
            15 weeks - FV4 3yr, Rabies 1yr, Deworming

            ***At 4-6 months of age, it's time to spay or neuter you pet. If considering declawing, it is best to have done at the same time of spay/neuter.
            ***Begin heartworm and flea preventative at first visit.
            ***Intestinal Parasites: Intestinal parasites are life forms that live in the intestinal tract of other living beings (the host). The parasites may
                  injure the lining of the intestinal tract as they sap the nutrients from the host's tissues or the intestinal contents. This weakens the host
                  from tissue injury, diarrhea, blood loss, loss of vital nutrients, dehydration, and shock. If the parasite is allowed to flourish without
                  interruption, the host may become weakened enough to die. The CDC recommends dewormings every 2 weeks until the cat reaches
                 16 weeks of age. Monthly heartworm prevention for life will control intestinal parasites.

           Feeding
           A. Kittens can be fed 2-3 times a day or have dry food left out at all times.
           B. Type-premium kitten food, changing to adult food when they start to get overweight or one year old (whichever comes first).
           C. Treats- use cat's regular food fed from your hand as a treat as they crave the attention more than the food.

           Litter Training
           A. Clay litter vs. other litters
           B. Provide a hooded or open litter box or automatic/self-cleaning litter box in a private place that is easily accessible for your kitten.
           C. Keep taking kitten to the litter box to show them where it is.
           D. Scoop litter daily and fully change & clean box weekly.

           Training
           A. Hold feet, touch in ears, touch in mouth and on gums and open mouth and look inside. Try and do all of these daily.
           B. Use squirt gun or loud noise for negative response to unwanted behavior.
           C. No aggressive behavior should be accepted: a firm "no" or "stop" should be used.
           D. Socialize your kitten and let them play with children and strangers and meet other pets.

           Grooming
           A. Brushing, nail trimming & handling
           B. Flea control and Heartworm Prevention
 
           General Recommendations
           A. Collar or harnes
           B. Carrier
           C. Litter Box, Litter and Scoop
           D. Food and water bowls, stainless or ceramic
           E. Quality Food
           F. Toys, scratching post
           G. Grooming tools, slicker brush and nail trimmers