Getting a Kitten

Worming

There are two types of worms – roundworm and tapeworms. Nearly all kittens are infected by roundworms from their mother’s milk. You will not always see them in the faeces. Worms can cause loss of condition, diarrhoea and a round belly. It is vital to worm your kitten regularly from birth. We recommend Milbemax or Drontal. 
Recommended worming schedule: 

• Every 2 weeks until 12 weeks old 

THEN 

• Every month until 6 months old 

THEN 

• At least every 3 months for the rest of their life 

More frequent worming may be necessary when there are young children handling the animal or if the cat hunts. Your cat will need regular weight checks as it grows to ensure an accurate dose is given. 

Flea Treatment

Prevention is better than cure where fleas are concerned. We recommend Frontline Combo Spot On from 8 weeks and 1kg weight. For younger or very small kittens, please consult a nurse or vet. 
Fleas often infest the animal’s bedding, carpets and soft furnishings. If fleas are a big problem, these areas should be treated with an insecticide spray. 

Please speak to a nurse for advice on purchasing a suitable product.

Cat collars are not recommended as cats can become entangled and injure themselves. We recommend microchipping. This can be carried out at any age. The microchip is in a capsule the size of a grain of rice and is implanted into the scruff of the neck.

When a lost pet is scanned, a code is displayed which allows it to be traced back to its owner. Our microchips are compatible with SureFlap cat flaps, a helpful way to keep the neighbourhood cats out, without the need for a collar. These cat flaps can be ordered from reception. 

Cats naturally prefer to snack on small meals throughout the day and night rather than eat a small number of large meals. Kittens do not tend to overeat. Therefore it is usual to allow kittens unrestricted access to food. Alternatively 3 or 4 small meals can be offered a day. 

Feed a good quality complete kitten food until 6 months of age.

As adults, the number of meals can be reduced to two a day but most cats still prefer to eat multiple small meals a day. Adult cats will need their food intake restricting to ensure they stay a healthy weight. A good quality complete food contains all the nutrients that your cat needs. Adding extras can unbalance the diet and can create fussy eaters.

We strongly recommend that all our clients take out Insurance Plans for their pets at the earliest opportunity. This offers peace of mind should your pet become ill. Before taking out a policy, please note: 

Check the small print and level of cover carefully. 

A lifelong policy will pay towards long-term conditions for the whole of the cat’s life. 
Some policies, often called annual policies, only pay for the first 12 months of treatment towards a condition. This is handy for problems that are solved quickly, like a broken leg. But please be aware that if your cat develops a condition that requires ongoing medication (like arthritis, diabetes or skin allergies), they will cover the first 12 months of treatment. After 12 months they will refuse further payments towards the condition, regardless of whether you claimed your money back or not. 

Policyholders must pay a certain amount toward each claim. This is called the excess and will vary between policies. 

Insurers will not pay out for conditions that were known about before the new policy was taken out or occurred in the first weeks of cover.