Caring for Your New Kitten: What to Know
Welcome to Wheatland Animal Hospital, and thank you for choosing us to care for your new kitten! Our team is dedicated to supporting the bond you share with your pet by providing top-quality medical and behavioral care. We emphasize the importance of preventive medicine and routine exams – early detection often leads to more effective and affordable treatments.
Scroll down to explore helpful information about your kitten’s health, behavior, vaccines, and what to expect during visits to Wheatland. And if you ever have questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (630) 904-2020.
Behavior
Cats ideally need 1 to 3 meters of space both horizontally and vertically. They like to rest in places where they feel safe and secure, as sleeping makes them vulnerable. Providing a comfortable “refuge” area gives your cat a quiet retreat to relax. This space should include food, water, and any other essentials they need nearby.
Scratching is a natural instinct for all cats, even declawed ones. Rough-textured scratching posts give them a healthy outlet for this behavior. Place posts along their usual paths or near resting spots, as scratching is often a way to mark territory. Reward your cat when they use the posts to encourage good habits.
Perches are helpful for cats to feel safe and allow them to explore their environment. Many cat trees provide an appropriate outlet for both climbing and perching. You can also place a couch, chair, or table in front of a window as a form of perching enrichment so they can look outside.
Cat grass or fresh catnip can satisfy your cat’s chewing instincts—just keep houseplants out of reach. Playtime strengthens your bond, boosts health, and encourages natural hunting behaviors like stalking, chasing, and pouncing. Avoid using your hands as toys. Instead, use wand toys, balls, battery-operated prey-like toys, or catnip toys.
Vaccinations
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR) is a contagious herpes virus causing severe respiratory illness in cats—not related to human viruses. It spreads through contact with infected cats or contaminated objects. Some cats may carry the virus without symptoms. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms. Vaccination is the best prevention: three shots as a kitten, a booster at 1 year, then every three years.
Panleukopenia is a deadly virus for kittens, spread through contact with infected animals or their bodily fluids. It can survive in the environment for up to a year and is resistant to many disinfectants. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. Vaccination is the best protection: three shots as a kitten, a booster at 1 year, then every three years.
Calicivirus is another upper respiratory disease that is highly contagious and very common. Calicivirus is contracted in the same manner as FVR. Signs of Calicivirus are similar to those of FVR with the addition of significant mouth ulcers. The best prevention is through proper vaccination, which should be given three times as a kitten, a booster given at 1 year old and then can be boostered every three years thereafter.
Feline leukemia is a viral disease of the immune system that in severe cases can cause death. FELV can only be transmitted via direct contact either by biting or copulation. FELV is endemic amongst outdoor cats. Cats that live in multiple cat households, catteries, or go outside should be vaccinated for FELV. The first vaccine should be given at 12 weeks and boostered at 16 weeks. If your kitten may be at risk, discuss vaccination with one of our veterinarians.
Parasites
Heartworms are a serious, mosquito-transmitted parasite that can affect indoor cats. While untreatable in cats, heartworm disease is easily prevented with year-round monthly medication. We recommend Revolution, which also protects against fleas, intestinal parasites, and ear mites.
Fleas affect many mammals and can easily infest cats through the environment. They multiply quickly and can carry harmful bacteria. Fleas are hard to get rid of but easy to prevent, so year-round flea protection is recommended. Our recommended monthly heartworm preventative, Revolution, also protects against fleas, intestinal parasites, and ear mites.
Fleas infest many animals and spread quickly, carrying harmful bacteria. They’re hard to eliminate but easy to prevent. We recommend year-round protection with Revolution, which also guards against heartworms, parasites, and ear mites.
Summary of Important Future Visits
New Adult (~1.5 years): FVRCP, Rabies 1 or 3 year (usually 3 year), FeLV (if needed), fecal
After New Adult:
- Rabies every 1-3 years based on vaccination given previously
- FVRCP every 3 years
- FeLV every 2 years (if needed)
- Fecal annually
The vaccination schedule for your kitten should be as follows:
- 6-8 weeks of age: FVRCP
- 10-12 weeks of age: FVRCP & FeLV (Feline Leukemia)
- 16 weeks of age: FVRCP, FeLV & Rabies
Additional Recommended Tests and Services
Feline Leukemia (FeLV)/ Feline immunosuppressive virus (FIV) Test: FeLV and FIV are both serious viral diseases that your kitten can contract from its mother or by other routes before you acquire your kitten. It is important to test all kittens to ensure that their immune systems are healthy. All kittens are vaccinated for FeLV, and your veterinarian will help you to decide whether or not to vaccinate your cat for FeLV as an adult. If you are concerned that your cat may be at risk feel free to discuss it with one of our veterinarians.
Microchipping: Microchipping is a form of permanent identification for your cat and is a very helpful utility if he/she ever get lost. The very small microchip (about the size of a long grain of rice) is placed under your cat’s skin in the area between their shoulder blades. Once registered with the company (we will take care of the registration for you if your pet is microchipped at our hospital), the chip can be scanned by animal shelters or other animal hospitals nationwide and can greatly increase the chance of your cat being returned home. We always offer microchipping at the time of spaying/castrating but it can be performed at any regular appointment.
Spaying or Castrating (Neutering): There are many benefits to neutering your kitten. First and foremost is eliminating unwanted pregnancies and litters. If you have a female kitten, spaying her before her first heat will drastically reduce her chances of developing mammary cancer and eliminate her chances of developing uterine or ovarian cancer. It will also eliminate the chance of her developing a potentially life-threatening uterine infection. If you have a male cat, the risk of testicular cancer is eliminated, and the chances of developing prostatic abscesses are drastically reduced. In addition, it may help control marking or roaming behaviors. We typically recommend neutering around 4-6 months of age, but this can discussed further with your veterinarian.
Complimentary Cat Class
Join us for our Complimentary Cat Class, led by a Wheatland doctor! We’ll cover enrichment, behavior, vaccines, parasite prevention, and more—plus an open Q&A to answer all your cat care questions.
