Your Kitten's first year, pet tips from Vetcetera Animal Hospital and Veterinarian in Bedford NS

Your Kitten’s First Year

Age Veterinary Care Development
8 Wks. At 8 weeks, the kitten will have a first vaccination. This series will include Panleukopenia, Feline Rhinotracheitis, Chlamydia, and Calci virus. Check kitten for intestinal parasites by submitting stool sample. The mother begins to wean the kittens at 4-5 weeks and the kitten begins to seek littermate companionship. Baby teeth are nearly all present. They can start to begin lapping kitten formula food.
12 Wks. 12 Weeks Second in a series of vaccinations, which will repeat same as before. In addition, the first Feline Leukemia vaccine is given. The Vet may recommend testing for Leukemia before the vaccine is given. Kittens need lots of human contact at this age. They should be handled gently, played with, and treated as an individual. They learn to develop close ties with new human friends and will explore the new surroundings.
16 Wks. 16 Weeks Third and final vaccine given for FVRCP, Feline Leukemia and Rabies. Recheck the stool for intestinal parasites. Kittens grow very rapidly and appetite increases dramatically. They begin to develop better motor control and begin to leap.
5-6 Months At this time they are ready for spay or neuter depending on development. Declawing may also be an option at this time. Beginning at about 4 months, the baby teeth begin to fall out, allowing the adult teeth to push through the gums. Teething can cause sore gums and causes the kitten to chew things. They now become very attached to their new human family.
6 Mths. – 1 Year Revaccinate at one year and yearly thereafter. Repeat stool analysis on a yearly basis. Now is aalso the time to be stepping up to an adult formulation diet. Fully mature at 1 year, but becomes sexually inquisitive around 5-6 months. Female experiences first heat cycle at 7-8 months. They are now looking like an adult cat. The male can begin to be territorial and aggressive if allowed to roam.