Kittens

An initial course of 2 injections is given 3 weeks apart with the first being given from 8 weeks of age and the second from 11 weeks. Your kitten is free to go out two weeks after the 2nd injection.

It is important to boost this vaccination annually to maintain protection against diseases such as cat flu and leukaemia. At Rowan we aim to use the best vaccine available and have ensured that we use a vaccine that protects against feline leukaemia virus.

Read more about feline vaccinations.

Download our advice on Cat Vaccinations The What And The Why

All cats are susceptible to catching fleas if they are not treated regularly. With central heating creating an ideal environment for fleas, treatment is required all year round.

At Rowan, we recommend NexGard Combo Spot on.  This covers for fleas, ticks, roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm and ear mites in one easy monthly spot on.  No need to tablet!

Beware: Many pet-shop products are not effective at treating fleas.

Download our advice on Fleas – The Facts

Kittens need to be wormed every 2 weeks until 12 weeks of age, then monthly until 6 months old and then every money or 3 months for life, depending on the products used.  Please ask the team for further information.

Worms can be dangerous to pets. They also pose a risk to humans, particularly children; some may even cause blindness. You do not need to see adult worms for your pet to be infected as most animals only shed the eggs in their faeces.

At Rowan Vets, we recommend NexGard Combo Spot on.  This covers for fleas, ticks, roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm and ear mites in one easy monthly spot on.  No need to tablet!

Download our advice on Worms

We advise microchipping your kitten at 2nd Vaccination. Having your kitten microchipped takes just a couple of minutes and means that he or she can be returned to you if found.

Microchips are also necessary for identification when travelling abroad.

Read more about cat microchipping.

Kittens are most sensitive to socialisation between 2 and 7 weeks old so it is important to begin socialising your kitten as soon as he or she joins your home.

Gently lift, restrain, and examine your kitten little and often and expose him or her to several people of different ages. Allow your kitten to explore independently to build confidence.

We recommend the use of Feliway plug-ins or sprays for the first month your kitten is in his or her new home. It is also useful to use the spray in the car and the cat basket, which should always be left out with the lid off and bedding inside, as well as the odd treat!

At Rowan Vets we are big fans of pet insurance. Owning a kitten can be expensive as it is, but unexpected treatment costs can be very unwelcome and sometimes, sadly, unaffordable. With good pet insurance you can rest assured that your furry friend is covered for all eventualities and we do recommend a “Lifetime” policy.

We are able to do direct claims with some insurance companies.  Please ask the team for more information about this service.

Read our advice on the different types of pet insurance

Download our advice on The Importance Of Pet Insurance

It is important for development to feed a kitten diet for the first 6 months. We recommend Hills Vet Essentials which is a good quality dry diet. Specific advice is found on the side of the packet.

Remember, every kitten is an individual and regular free weight checks are the best way to stay on track.

After neutering (see below) your kitten’s appetite will increase whilst his or her daily requirement for food will decrease. Many pet cats are therefore overweight and more susceptible to disease. To prevent this occurrence we recommend feeding Vet Essentials Neutered Cat.

A dry diet is much better for dental health than a wet diet. We also recommend use of Hills t/d twice a day as a treat to maintain dental health. We offer a free consult with one of our nurses to demonstrate this and to discuss related issues.

There are dietary supplements available to aid dental health, such as Dentagen products, and you can even brush your kitten’s teeth!

Read more about dental care.

Download our leaflet on Feline Dental Care

In the UK it is routine to neuter unless you plan to breed from your cat, thus preventing unwanted territorial and mating behaviour as well as unwanted pregnancies.

For queens (females) the procedure is a spay and for toms (males) it is a castration.

Your kitten can be neutered from 12 weeks of age. However, this is dependent on each individual kitten so book in for a complimentary neutering consultation where you can discuss the right time with your Vet.

Please note that once your kitten has been neutered he or she will need less food (see above)!

Read more about neutering.