5 Things To Do To Keep Your New Kitten Healthy

Vaccinating your new kitten is one of the most important things you can do to keep it safe from a variety of diseases, including rabies (which can be spread to people), distemper, herpesvirus infection, feline leukemia, and several others.

Cats with microchips are almost 20 times more likely to be returned to their owners if they ever run away or go missing. A microchip is a small electronic chips encased inside a glass capsule that is about the size of a grain of rice. It is injected under the skin in the same way that shots are given and takes only seconds. There is no maintenance required, although you do have to register the chip online and input your contact information.

If someone finds your cat after it runs away, they can take it to a local veterinary clinic and have it scanned for a microchip. When the microchip is activated by a scanner, it transmits an identification number, which can be used to find your contact information and inform you that your cat has been found.

Feeding your kitten a high quality food will provide them with the nutrients their brains need to develop and grow. While lower quality foods tend to be easier on your wallet, they’re often lacking in essential nutrients that support your kitten’s growth. After all, “good food is cheaper than medicine.”

The Northside Animal Clinic recommends Royal Canin kitten food or Purina ProPlan kitten food.

The Northside Animal Clinic recommends spaying or neutering cats between 4-6 months of age. There are many reasons to spay or neuter your new cat. It makes your life much easier when you don’t have to deal with heat cycles in females and aggressive mating behavior in males. You don’t need to worry about unwanted litters of kittens or and it lessens the roaming instinct, so your cat will be much more content to stay at home.

Cats tend to be picky about which humans they choose to interact with. It’s important to expose kittens to a variety of different environments and people to help them become more comfortable with traveling and interacting with strangers. This will help your kitten be less aggressive in situations where it feels threatened and will make veterinary visits much less stressful for you and your kitten. It is also helpful to keep your cat carrier out so your kitten can play inside of it. This will remove the anxiety associated with getting inside of the carrier and will further reduce the stress your cat will feel when it travels.