Kitten Husbandry Guidelinesfor New Pet Owners

Vaccinating your kitten is essential for protecting them against serious and contagious diseases. The following are the recommended vaccines for kittens:

Core Vaccines:

• FVRCP – (Feline Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia)
  • A combination vaccine of concerning pathogens that form the core of our vaccine protocol for outdoor and indoor cats alike.
• Rabies
  • Rabies is lethal so it is important to ensure our pets remain immune for both their health and ours. This is required by most regions in Canada.

Non-Core Vaccines (depending on risk factors):

• Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
  • A viral infection transmitted between cats through both bites and casual contact such as grooming. For cats that are exposed to large numbers of other cats, or those who go outside (not recommended) this is an important vaccine to have administered.

Vaccination Schedule:

• FVRCP is administered between 7-8 weeks of age, with boosters at 12 weeks and 16 weeks.
  • This vaccine is boosted at 1 year, then continues to be boosted every 3 years afterwards.
• Rabies is administered at 16 weeks and boosted 1 year later. From here, there are options for a 1 year, or a 3 year vaccine.
• FeLV is administered at 12 weeks and 16 weeks of age.
  • A booster shot is given 1 year later then continues as an annual vaccine

Kittens are particularly susceptible to both internal and external parasites. Deworming and parasite prevention are crucial for their health.

Deworming Schedule:

• Deworm your kitten every 2 weeks starting at 2 weeks of age until they are 12 weeks old.
• After 12 weeks, deworm monthly until they are 6 months. Further deworming frequency will then be recommended based on lifestyle. 

Parasite Prevention:

• Internal parasites such as roundworms and hookworms, among others, are common in kittens. A stool sample should be tested regularly to ensure your kitten stays parasite-free. Outdoor cats will be at higher risk, but both indoor and outdoor cats should be screened on an annual basis.
• External parasites like fleas, ticks, and ear mites are also a concern. Based on lifestyle risks, external parasite prevention may be recommended.

Litter box training is one of the first things your kitten will need to master. While most kittens adapt easily, some may show preferences for other spots if they’re not provided with the right environment.

Litter Box Training:

• Most kittens will learn to use a litter box quickly. Ensure the litter box is placed in a quiet, private area, away from loud noises like furnace motors.
• Provide one more litter box than the number of cats in your home. Clean the box daily, and change the litter weekly.
• Choose a non-scented, clumping litter that is easy to clean and ideally is dust-free. Most cats prefer an open litter box as opposed to a covered one.

Inappropriate Elimination: 

• If your kitten starts using plant pots or hidden areas, cover plants with foil or rocks, and block off dirt floors. Some kittens may dislike the type of litter, so experiment with different kinds if needed.
• This can also be caused by medical issues including behavioural issues (fear, stress, etc.) and urinary issues (urinary tract infection, bladder stone, etc.) and warrants a follow-up with our veterinary team.

Scratching & Biting:

• Scratching is normal and helps cats mark territory. Provide scratching posts made of different materials, such as sisal, cardboard or carpet, to prevent damage to furniture.
• Biting can occur due to fear, excessive play, or overstimulation. Clip your kitten’s nails every 4-6 weeks to reduce the risk of injury.
• Vets on Main does not support declawing of cats. Amputating digit bones can lead to pain, arthritis, and behavioral changes. We encourage people to offer alternatives such as scratching posts, cat trees, and other sources of mental stimulation to redirect potentially destructive scratching behaviours.

Spaying or neutering your kitten is essential to avoid unwanted pregnancies and ensure better long-term health and behavior.

Spaying/Neutering Timing:

• We recommend spaying or neutering at 5-6 months of age, before your kitten reaches sexual maturity.
• Female cats who are not spayed are at risk for uterine infections (pyometra) and mammary cancer, while male cats may exhibit aggressive behaviors and urine marking.

Proper nutrition is vital for your kitten’s growth and health.

Choosing the Right Diet:

• Kittens need a high-quality kitten food that is nutritionally balanced. Brands like Hill’s Science Diet, Purina Pro Plan, and Royal Canin conduct research to ensure their foods meet nutritional standards.
• Wet food provides hydration, while dry food helps with dental health. A mix of both is often ideal.
• Look at the AAFCO site for more information about selecting a good pet food: https://www.aafco.org/consumers/understanding-pet-food/selecting-the-right-pet-food/.
• Ensuring you are using a diet for growth and development is important for the early stages of development. Read more about this: https://www.aafco.org/consumers/understanding-pet-food/reading-labels/#adequacy
• Avoid trendy diets like “grain-free” or “organic” unless recommended by your vet, as these may not be nutritionally balanced.
• Raw food diets are discouraged due to the risk of contamination with harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella. The majority of these diets are also nutritionally unbalanced which can cause issues with growth and development.

Feeding Schedule:

• Kittens should be fed 3-4 times a day until they are 6 months old, after which they can transition to 2 meals a day.
• Meal feeding can be a helpful way to measure how much food is being fed daily. This can be especially helpful with respect to body condition as many cats become overweight due to overfeeding.

A microchip is a permanent and reliable form of identification for your kitten. It’s a small chip about the size of a grain of rice inserted under the skin, usually between the shoulder blades.

• Microchips provide a unique ID number that can be scanned by veterinary offices or shelters, helping you reunite with your kitten if they get lost.
• We highly recommend microchipping your kitten, even if they are kept indoors.
• If your pet has already been microchipped, ensure that your contact information is registered so you can be contacted in case of an emergency.

Pet insurance can provide peace of mind and help with the cost of unexpected veterinary care.

Benefits of Pet Insurance:

• Covers accidents and/or illnesses. Most will not provide routine care such as vaccinations, dental care, and parasite prevention.
• Premiums can vary and most providers offer a range of plans, from basic to comprehensive coverage.
• Many providers offer free 1-month coverage when you sign up. It’s a good idea to take advantage of this while deciding if long-term insurance is right for you. We can offer a one month trial period which is encouraged, even should you decide not to proceed long-term. A lot can happen with an adventurous kitten!

Companies to consider:

• Trupanion, Petsecure, Pets+Us, Furkin, and Ontario Veterinary Medical Association are a few of the options in Canada.