I'm going to get a kitten soon (female). When do I take it to the vet's?

Question

I'm getting one from a neighbour, whose cat has had a litter. Once I bring it home, when do I take it to the vet's? When can I let it go outside? What injections are needed and how much are these likely to cost me? I really have no idea where to start with a kitten. PLEASE HELP. I know the basics obviously of litter tray, food and bowls, etc. THANK YOU!!!

Answer 1

Hi! I hope your neighbor is smart and not too eager to break up this litter too soon. So, hopefully you won't have your little girl until she's at least 8 weeks old. Then, as soon as you have her, call your vet (if you don't have one yet, you might ask your neighbor which vet they use) and set up a well-kitten check up. It's just like a well-baby check up where they will weigh her, do all her vital signs, and the vet will tell you which shots she needs when. PLEASE do NOT allow a kitten to go outdoors AT ALL. And, if you're REALLY SMART, raise this kitten as an INDOOR ONLY kitty. She will be much healthier, happier, have a much longer life, and be a more loving and people-oriented cat. Not to mention that if you keep her as strickly an INDOOR cat, she saves YOU a LOT of money in vet bills! There are several of the shots that need annual or bi-annual boosters, but you can by-pass this as long as she's an INDOOR only cat and doesn't come in contact with any other animals.

Now, you want to discuss with your vet what the proper time to have her spayed is. Most vets recommend anytime after 4 months old. Don't wait too much longer after 4 months because SOME females will come onto their first heat at 4 months old, and I don't think you want any pregnancies going on, do you? NO--not when we have shelters over-flowing with kittens and puppies who's owners didn't bother to get them spayed or neutered.

You will want to be feeding her a good quality KITTEN food (both canned and dry), and--in case you don't know this (a lot of people don't), do NOT give her milk (cows milk--like we drink). Most cats are lactose intollerant, and even though they may like it, milk will give her a tummy ache and diahrreah--they cannot digest it properly. Do NOT EVER allow her to have onions, garlic or chocolate! These things can KILL a cat--as can ANY over-the-counter medicine (of ANY kind) like you get at Wal-Mart, etc. This includes ANY type of flea medication or worming medication. When it comes to worming--leave this to your vet. It's not that expensive to have it done right.

Finally, you may want to go to the library and check out a couple books on the raising and caring for cats. Also, a very good web site is:
www.catfancy.com. This is such a quality publication, you might also want to take out a subscription for the magazine itself.

If you have any other specific questions, you can feel free to e-mail me back, and I'll be happy to answer anything I KNOW about. Good luck with your "new baby"--you're in for a treat---there's nothing more fun and entertaining than a kitten.

Answer 2

Easy answer..
Take the kitten to the vet as soon as you can, at least in the first week, its NEVER too early to get her registered, it cost me £42 for all the jag's, then it'll cost you about £60 for her to get spayed, i wouldn't let her out before she has been jagged and spayed, it's not worth the risk, there is so much out there to hurt unprotected kittens its crazy to take the chance... enjoy the time you will get with her as a house cat, after she gets out, you'll only really see her when it's food time or raining!!!
Go onto the Cat Protection League website for great tips on Kitten Care and good products...
One other thing, try to go to a vet you know, or one that is recommended by someone you trust, like all professions there are bad ones out there, though thankfully not that many, but why take a risk???

Answer 3

I have 13 cats n one of it is pregnant for the 5th time. I don't know how young ur kitten is. Normally,they won't give injections 2 very young kittens so it's not nessecary 4 u 2 take it 2 a vet instantly. They will perform physical checkup n giv tablets if ur kitten has any problem. The cost depends on the treatment. I don't let my kittens outside at an early age coz they tend 2 runaway quite often n die in roadkill. Take 3 or 4 months b 4 u let it go outside. Have fun wit ur kitten.

Answer 4

The norm is 6 months. inspite of the shown fact that, some vets are spaying formerly at approximately 4 months. i think of that's greater for male kittens whose testicals have already dropped. i'd wait till the 6 month mark for a woman.

Answer 5

Your kitten will require 2 jabs and i think you if i remember correctly it should be around 12 weeks old that they have their first one then a second one a couple of weeks later. But you shouldnt really let them out properly until you have had her spayed as you do not want her coming back with kittens etc also cats are more likely to stray further a field if they have not been spayed. I used to take my kitten out for 15mins to 20mins with me following her around before she was spayed so she got used to being outside but i waited till she was spayed before i allowed her out on her own unsupervised. I also get my cat in just after it gets dark as i dont agree with leaving cats out overnight with all the dangers etc. My cat is also kept in whilst i am at work too so she more of an indoor/outdoor cat but i feel safer knowing that she indoors whilst im away.

Answer 6

im also getting a new kitten soon and the day before i pick it up i will have it booked into the vets so i can get it checked over imediatley, so i advise you to do the same , they can also get it deflead while you are there!...as for the going outside i would wait untill after its been neatured !... as for the injections the vet will tell you all about them when you visit, its one a year injection and it does not cost alot.... wishing you the best of luck with your new kitten.

Answer 7

You should make the appointment now,and take it within three days of getting it.It will need to be dewormed,and will need two or three sets( this varies with vets) of shots,starting at 8-10 weeks ,at intervals of 3-4 weeks,for feline calicivirus,panleukopenia and rhinotracheitis.Also leukemia, and rabies when it is 4 months old.Then she will need to be spayed before she comes into heat,so you should make an appointment for that now.She should be about 5 months when she is spayed.As for letting her outside,don't,unless she's on a leash with you.It's so dangerous for cats outside.They get run over,stolen,killed by dogs,caught in the fanbelts of cars,poisoned or shot.They can get locked in garages,jump into trucks or cars.It's much better to make her a house cat than to risk losing her by letting her out.

Answer 8

you should take it to the vet withen a week of getting it. i recomend a spay and nuter clenic they usally have the cheepest shots and are pretty cheep to get them fixed. if you dont het her fixed you will have more kittens than you know what to do with. the vet hospital i like the most is banfield there in most petsmarts and petcos they have helth plans which make all of it pretty afordable. as for letting your cat out side is a bad idea if you live in a city. but if you do keep him in your house for 3 weeks so he knows where home is. and will come back. try short periods of time and then go longer.

Answer 9

i would take it to the vets the same week you get it....get it all checked over....they will prescribe worming medicine for it and also advise u on flea control...then theyll book it in for its injections which cost me 60 pounds for 2 lots, theyll be 2 weeks apart, after both lots of injections it'll be allowed out, just leave the back door open so it can explore the back garden, it wont really want to go much further than that to begin with, make sure it wears a tag with its name and your phone no. and bobs your uncle!!! all sorted!!! just keep up with the worming and get it 'frontlined' (flea stuff) as soon as its old enough....good luck...

Answer 10

Hi, need to know how old kitten is.
At 9 weeks they need there first injection, then another at 12 weeks. they also need to be flea treated and wormed.
If you are getting your cat younger than 9 weeks old take to vet straight away for a vet health check, he will check for things like heart murmurs and things like flea's and worms.
Good luck