Cats are more independent than dogs, but owning a cat is still a great responsibility. We love seeing cats at Young Veterinary Partnership, and many of us are cat owners ourselves. Cats live on average 15 years, and will need feeding twice daily, and some cats may need regular grooming ( particularly the long haired cats).
Cats should have regular yearly health checks and vaccinations, against cat flu, cat enteritis ( diarrhoea), and if they are outdoor, cat leukaemia. They should be wormed regularly and have flea prevention (either monthly spot on treatment or 6 monthly injections). They should be neutered from 4-6 months of age, to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
Older cats ( over 10 years) are recommended to have yearly blood tests to screen for medical problems such as kidney failure, diabetes liver and thyroid problems. They should also have a yearly blood pressure check, as high blood pressure is common in older cats and can cause many medical problems.
We have produced some information sheets based on common queries about choosing a kitten and caring for your kitten. Please click on the links below to download.
Kittens and adult cats are much less likely to bite and scratch us if they have been socialised and handled well when young.
Kittens have two very important periods of socialisation when they learn normal behaviour, towards other cats and people. The first period is 2-7 weeks of age when handling by various people in a positive manner will increase the likelyhood of them having a friendly approach in future interactions with people.
Kittens continue to learn by social play from the age of 7 weeks, and this peaks at around 9-14 weeks of age, and so when most people first take home their new kitten around 8 weeks of age, they are still in this important socialization period.
You should not play with your kitten using your hands or feet, and you should not use rough play, whatever the age of the kitten. Instead we recommend the use of a “fishing rod” toy or something similar that induces chasing behaviour e.g. a ping-pong ball. If your kitten displays pouncing, chasing or biting of human fingers and toes, then they should be ignored. Kittens like attention so will realise they have done something wrong if you ignore them. If you are holding your kitten when they bite or scratch you, then put them down immediately and ignore them. A few moments later a toy can be provided. Once your kitten has finished playing and is tired out, you can then stroke and make a fuss of them.
Cats can be picky eaters, particularly as they get older. No one food will suit all cats as they are highly individual. Cats can be fed wet cat food or complete dry cat food. Dry cat food may be more practical for many owners and is better for their teeth. We stock and recommend Hill's science diets as a good complete dry food, which can be purchased from the surgery, or via our online shop. A bit of boiled fish or chicken can be added occasionally if variety is needed. Most cats will be fed twice daily. If your cat has a digestive upset, you should feed boiled fish or chicken for a few days, before gradually re-introducing their normal diet. If the upset persists for more than a couple of days you should contact your vet.
Kittens should be fed specific kitten food which contains higher protein content and other minerals required for growth. Most cats are fully grown by around 10 months of age (larger breeds such as Maine Coon will take longer to reached adulthood).
Older cats (over 10 years old) may be fed senior cat diets, as they are generally less active at this age.
