Kitten Care in Orlando, FL

If you had recently got a kitten or adopted one it’s important to know how to take care of it so it can become a healthy a happy cat! During the first few weeks of life, some of a kitten’s primary concerns are feeding and learning how to excrete on his own. If for some reason the kitten had to be separated from the mom very early, which it’s not recommended, extra care had to be needed. 


FEEDING

During the first four weeks of life, everything a kitten needs is the mother’s milk. But if your newborn kittens have to be separated from their mother, it’s important to consult with a veterinarian who can help you about the proper way to bottle-feed with a commercial milk replacer. 

Newborn kittens may nurse about every 1-2 hours, about three to four weeks old, they can be offered milk replacer from a bowl and then small amounts of moistened kitten food four to six times a day.


WHEN TO TAKE YOUR KITTEN TO THE VET?

If your kitten is a newborn you must take some time before taking it to the vet so its overall health can be checked. It is recommended that newborn kittens have their first veterinarian appointment as soon as possible, preferably in the first week or two after birth, and as always if you have any questions call your vet to discuss them. 

EXAMINATIONS/CHECKUPS

All new kittens should have a veterinary examination as soon as possible. So, what should you expect at your kitten’s veterinary checkup? Most first veterinary visits will include a full examination, a discussion about kitten care at home, and vaccines depending on your kitten’s age. After that, it’s recommended kittens should receive an examination and booster vaccine every 4 weeks until they reach 16 weeks of age. If you went with a breeder, they will often offer health guarantees of 48 to 72 hours. But even without that guarantee and regardless of where you get the kitten, is better to just get them checked and do a physical exam and check a stool sample for worms. On a checkup, the veterinarian is looking for anything that's out of the ordinary, so it'll be a good, thorough physical exam. Things like ear mites, fleas, or intestinal worms, which are very common in kittens.

VACCINES

Vaccinations are ideally given at 6, 9, 12, and 15 weeks of age. They are vital to preventing several fatal diseases in kittens, like feline distemper, three different respiratory organisms, and rabies. The core vaccines are the essential vaccines that your kitten would definitely need, regardless of your cat's lifestyle such as whether they live indoors or outdoors.

With proper veterinary care, your kitten should grow into a happy, healthy cat and be with you for many years. If you still have any other questions and you'd like to reach out to Salazar Veterinary Hospital, you can call us directly at (407) 807-6611!