Feline Life Stage Guidelines:

Cats go through many life stages, and not all of them require the same care. While all cats need physical examinations, their needs differ based on their age. This is especially true for kittens, given how young and fragile they are. In this guide, we cover all the basics of caring for kittens.

Caring for Kittens: A Guide

Feline life stages define kittenhood as a time from birth up to one year. This time is essential to ensure not only the health of your pet but also good training.

Physical Examination

Physical health is the most crucial aspect of caring for kittens, and regular vet visits can help keep your pet healthy and energetic. This also ensures preventative care and can address any issues before they become significant problems.

Medical History

To make sure that your kitten is getting the best care possible, genetic concerns and breed should be discussed. Each breed has its own requirements, and vets can advise owners on best practices. Congenital diseases like dentition, hernias, and murmurs are vital topics for discussion during examinations.

Nutrition and Weight

Nutrition and weight are integral for good health and are factors that cat owners can fully control. Because of this, introducing food, the quantity of food, and the frequency of feeding should be made clear to owners. Kittens also need to be exposed to various textures and flavors so that they’re familiar with these as they enter young adulthood.

Nutrition and feeding needs are not universal across age groups and breeds.. Introducing different toys and puzzles can also be used to promote exercise or maintain weight.

Environment and Behavioral Care

As with any pet, caring for kittens involves introducing them to different people and pets to get them used to socialization. They are also prepared to get used to and expect grooming, nail trimming, brushing, cat carriers, and more.

At this stage, training is of the utmost importance. Kittens are taught to avoid aggressive behavior and be trained via positive reinforcement to respond to their names and sit. Their environmental needs should be made clear and met – this includes toys, play, and scratching posts.

Hygiene and Elimination

Your veterinarian is the perfect person to inform you about kittens’ elimination needs. Litter boxes, type of litter, cleaning, toiletry training can all be discussed to ensure hygienic conditions for your kitten.

Oral Health

Your kitten’s oral health at this age can set up the stage for future dental issues. Discussions should include brushing and wiping teeth, examining developmental dental issues, and the different types of preventative measures and treatments to prioritize.

Controlling Parasites

Parasite exposure depends on a variety of factors, including travel, lifestyle, and location. Even indoor cats can fall victim to this. To prevent this from happening, it’s essential to talk about antiparasitics, risk factors, and performing fecal examinations.

Vaccinations

Pets are beloved family members, and we understand that your kitten’s health is your biggest priority. Because of this, we emphasize vaccinations and when they should be administered. Always discuss this with your vet to make sure that your kitten is up to date with their shots. Core vaccines include FCV, FHV-1, FPV, FelV, and the rabies vaccine. Timing differs from kitten to kitten, but as a rule of thumb, the FCV, FHV-1, and FPV revaccinations are administered when kittens reach the 6-month mark.