Kitten Tips
Please click on the link below to read an article about cat health and feline vet visits.
- Make sure to schedule your kitten for a physical examination with a veterinarian as soon as possible.
- Kittens require frequent veterinary care in the first few months of life as well as yearly and bi-yearly visits thereafter.
- Your new kitten will need examinations, parasite screening and vaccinations at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age.
- It is important to have your cat testing for Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) before introducing them to other cats.
- We strongly recommend keeping your kitten indoors and having them microchipped. The microchip will allow them to be identified at other veterinary hospitals, pounds, or shelters if they are ever lost or stolen. For more information about microchips, visit: www.homeagain.com
- Many parasites can be transmitted to your kitten even if they stay indoors. We recommend a monthly application of flea, tick, and heartworm preventative (such as Revolution) to avert these parasites.
- One of the most common reasons people bring their cat to the veterinarian is due to urinating outside of the litter box. 95% of those issues are due to an insufficient number of litter boxes, wrong litter choice, or not having litter boxes in enough locations throughout the house. Make sure you have one more litter box than you do cats to help alleviate some of these problems.
- Don’t underestimate the importance of brushing your kitten’s teeth! Getting your kitten used to tooth brushing will allow them to be comfortable with it as they get older. Some common cat health issues that can occur in the mouth are Feline Oral Resorptive Lesions. Watch a video on how to brush your kitten’s teeth here:
Kitten Standards of Care
| 8 Weeks | 12 Weeks | 16 Weeks | 5-6 Months |
| Physical Exam | Physical Exam | Physical Exam | FVRCP #4 |
| FVRCP #1 (Feline Distemper Vaccine) | Rabies | FVRCP #3 | Pre-op lab work |
| Dewormer | FVRCP #2 | FeLV #2 (if needed) | Feline Heartworm/FeLV/FIV Testing |
| Intestinal Parasite Screen | FeLV #1 (if needed) | Dewormer | Spay/Neuter |
| Feline Heartworm, FeLV, & FIV Testing | Dewormer | Parasite Pprevention (Revolution) | |
| Microchip | Microchip (if needed) |
Adult Cat Standards of Care
| Annual Visit | Semi-Annual Visit |
| Physical Exam | Physical Exam |
| Physical Exam | Physical Exam |
| Dental Disease Evaluation | Dental Disease Evaluation |
| Blood Parasite Test | Junior Early Detection lab work |
| Intestinal Parasite Screen | Parasite Preventative Medication |
| Vaccinations as Recommended | |
| Parasite Preventative Medication |
Senior Cat Standards of Care
| Annual Visit | Semi-Annual Visit |
| Senior Wellness Physical Exam | Senior Wellness Physical Exam |
| Dental Disease Evaluation | Dental Disease Evaluation |
| Osteoarthritis Screening | Osteoarthritis Screening |
| Blood Parasite Test | Senior Early Detection Lab Work (including urine) |
| Intestinal Parasite Screen | Blood Pressure Screen |
| Vaccinations as Recommended | Glaucoma Screen |
| Parasite Preventative Medication | Parasite Preventative Medication (if needed) |
Useful Tips:
All Creatures Veterinary Hospital has joined the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP)
All Creatures has joined the AAFP to show our commitment to improving cat health and welfare by having high standards of practice, feline specific continuing education as well as making our hospital more feline friendly.
Call All Creatures Veterinary Hospital, providing physical exams to cats in the Salem and the North Shore areas of Massachusetts, today, or request an appointment online.