Cat Ownership 101

​If you’re about to adopt a new cat or are thinking about adding one to your family, let us be the first to say congratulations! And if you’ve recently adopted a new kitten and have a hundred different questions about what to do now, we’re here to help! Whether you’re a first-time cat owner looking for guidance, or a cat connoisseur looking to brush up on your pet-ownership expertise, here’s a handy list of questions, answers, and information you might find useful.​

At just a few weeks old, Pippin's been coming in for routine vaccine visits. Way to stay healthy, Pippin!

Healthcare at CAH
​If you’ve never had a cat before you might wonder what a trip to the vet will entail and how frequently you should come in. After bringing home a brand new kitten, you’ll likely be coming to see us a few times over the coming weeks and months. In addition to conducting an initial checkup at your first visit, we’ll also give your cat vaccinations that can protect against some harmful but preventable diseases (more on this below). After your cat is fully vaccinated, and if they have no chronic issues, you'll start bringing them by once a year for their annual checkup. At fourteen years we recommend switching to a six month schedule to stay ahead of any senior health issues. All cats need preventative care, regardless of whether they’re indoor or outdoor!

What is a Vaccine?
​A vaccine exposes the immune system to inactive or incomplete disease-causing agents to train it to quickly and effectively respond if it ever encounters the real deal. Typically we recommend vaccinating new kittens with the pankluemia, rhinotracheitis, and calvivirus (PRC) vaccine and the rabies vaccine. We may also recommend the feline leukemia vaccine for outdoor cats. Vaccines are safe and effective. Reactions are rare and not typically life threatening when treated properly. For more information on vaccine reactions, what to watch out for, and how to treat them, check out our April blog post.

Fleas, Ticks, and Parasites, Oh My!
​Nobody wants fleas and ticks on their pets or in their homes. Fleas can transmit intestinal parasites, and while tick borne diseases like anaplasmosis are less common in cats than in dogs, they’re still possible. The good news is that flea and tick preventatives are safe, effective, and easy to give. We typically recommend topical preventatives like Revolution for cats, since cats are less likely to take a chewable tablet. We also advise continuing flea and tick preventatives year-round, as even in winter ticks can survive in temperatures as low as 33 degrees!

An Apple a Day…
With hundreds of different cat foods available and new headlines on pet nutrition popping up every day, it can be hard to figure out what’s best for your feline friend. So what does the doctor order?

​Cats prefer to use protein as their primary energy source and should be fed a high protein/low carbohydrate diet. Cats lock in their food preferences around six months old, so from four weeks to six months we recommend feeding a varied diet with plenty of different tastes, textures, and protein sources. Cats aren’t great at drinking enough water on their own, so canned foods are a good way to keep them hydrated. As far as brands, we frequently recommend Science Diet, Purina, Royal Canin, Iams, and Eukanuba, as these brands invest heavily in research and ongoing testing.

Cats come in all shapes and sizes, and so do their dietary needs!

Spaying and Neutering
​In addition to preventing unwanted pregnancies, spaying and neutering your cats has a number of health benefits. Spayed females have a decreased risk of mammary cancer and a uterine infection known as pyometritis. Neutered males are less likely to run away, mark territory by urinating, or be attacked by other cats. They also have no risk of testicular cancer. Our veterinarians can help you decide whether spaying/neutering makes sense for your cat, and the best age at which to do so.

Protect your cat's beautiful smile with routine dental care!

Caring for those Purr-ly Whites
​Let’s talk teeth! Much like humans, pets require dental care or they run the risk of plaque, tartar, gingivitis, and other periodontal diseases. Our veterinarians perform dental checkups as part of your cat’s annual visits, but you should brush your cat’s teeth at home as well! We recommend brushing daily, starting with short sessions to get your cat used to having their gums and teeth touched, before moving up to 3-5 minute sessions. For more info, check out our five-step video on cleaning your pet’s teeth.

​Microchipping
​Microchipping your pets is a safe, cost-effective way to dramatically increase the chances of finding a lost pet. A microchip is a small electronic device about the size of a grain of rice, implanted under the skin with a needle. If a lost pet is found and brought to a veterinarian or shelter they can scan for a chip, which can then be used to contact you. The microchipping process is about as painful as a normal vaccine and can be done at any routine visit, though we often implant them during sedated procedures such as neuters and spays.

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When to Call the Vet
Over the lifetime of your cat, you’ll have moments where you wonder, Is this worth a phone call? At times like those remember the golden rule: When in doubt, always reach out. It’s what we’re here for, after all!

You can call us at 978-369-3503, or email us at [email protected]. If you notice any of the following symptoms, call us or a 24-hour emergency vet immediately, as your cat may be experiencing a medical emergency:

• Your cat has been vomiting or has had diarrhea for more than 24 hours, has blood in their urine or stool, or is straining to urinate or defecate
• Your cat consumed chocolate, raisins, grapes, onions, alcohol, drugs, or anything else you’re worried might be toxic
• Your cat is having trouble breathing
• Your cat is limping or seems sore or sensitive to the touch
• There is any visible bleeding, especially from the nose or mouth
• Your cat’s behavior changes dramatically, they seem disoriented, or they are showing signs of stress such as hiding, whiskers back towards the face, or ears pinned back

That’s all very helpful, but…
​As always, these blog posts are intended to provide general information about your pets. If you have questions not covered here or questions about your specific cat, feel free to get in touch! We’re always happy to have a quick cat chat.

CONTACT US!