A New Kitten

A couple of statements about cats:  Cats outnumber dogs as pets in the US.  You don’t own a cat; a cat just chooses to live with you.  Yes, cats are independent.  If you are ready to take on a new “life partner”, her are a few tips.

How to Find a New Kitten

The two most common types of kittens we see in our practice are the “free kitten” and the “purebred”.  There are advantages and disadvantages to both.  The “free kitten” is often a rescue from an animal shelter.  These kittens often have never had a home and need somebody to love them.  The rescue shelters usually try to screen the kittens for behavior problems as well as some common diseases.  The Charlotte Animal Shelter tests all kittens for Feline Leukemia and FIV, de-worms them, and starts kittens on vaccinations.  The other type of “free kitten” originates as a stray that has found a temporary home with a Good Samaritan.  Both of our cats arrived this way.  One was a kitten found by the dumpster in a Hardee’s parking lot, the other the kitten of a pregnant cat the showed up at our house long enough to have her kittens, get her vaccines, and get spayed.  She then moved on…at least in a non-fertile condition.   The big advantage to the free kitten is you are giving a home to someone who had none.  The disadvantage is some unknown background.  Just as the animal shelters do, all kittens should be tested for Leukemia and FIV.  All kittens should be de-wormed and vaccinated according to their anticipated lifestyle.   They should also be examined for “kitten diseases or problems” by a veterinarian.

The other type of kitten we commonly see is the purebred kitten.  Purebred cats are “registered” with a breed organization and are bred to meet certain standards of a specific breed.  Examples include Persian, Siamese, and Maine Coon Cats.  Most owners of purebred cats have chosen their breed based on appearance or behavior characteristics.  You can predict size, hair length, and often behavior with a purebred cat.  Most breeders of purebred cats have had their cats tested for Leukemia and FIV and have them current on all vaccinations.  When contacting a breeder, ask for references and try to see both the mother and father cat.  Look for a clean facility.  I also do not want to see “line breeding”.  Line breeding is the practice of breeding relatives to relatives.  You increase the chance of getting a really great kitten when you do this, but also increase the chance of getting birth defects or genetic problems as well. 

Characteristics of Healthy Kittens

• Bright, clear eyes.

• No snotty noses or sneezing (signs of viral infections)

• Thick, healthy hair….no bald spots or a scruffy look that could be a sign of ringworm

• A good appetite

• A firm bowel movement

• Very playful and active

• A strong “Meow”

• Should weigh about 2 pounds at 2 months old and be very well muscled…not skinny

• Should be between 6 and 10 weeks at adoption.

Health Care Issues

• Kittens should be vaccinated for several respiratory diseases and blood problems….the vaccine is commonly called “ Feline Distemper”….at 8 and 12 weeks old and then once a year after that.
• Kittens should be de-wormed and have negative fecal exams
• Kittens that will be outdoors or that may come in contact with stray cats should also be vaccinated against Feline Leukemia.
• In North Carolina, a kitten must also be vaccinated against Rabies.  Any kitten over 12 weeks old may have that vaccine.
• Spay or neuter should be done around 6 months of age.  Neutered cats are much better pets as un-neutered cats have some bad territorial behaviors and females can have as many as 3 litters of kittens a year.
• Discuss your cats vaccine needs with your veterinarian.  Vaccines protect against deadly disease, but are not without some risks.  We suggest vaccine schedules based on your cats individual needs and risks of exposure.

Adopting the adult cat 

Many owners have found great pets in the adult cat that needs a home.  When considering an adult cat, try to find out as much as you can about the cat.  Does it like the indoors or outdoors?  Does it use a litter box and get along with other cats or children?  Does it like to be held?  Does it scratch furniture?  When is someone trying to find it a home?  If the answers seem reasonable and you can get a trial period, then an adult cat can be a great option.

Declawing

I have no problems declawing a cat that will be indoors….front claws only.  I seem to see cats that are declawed in all four feet develop some behavior problems.  I suggest declawing at the same time as spaying or neutering.  Expect 2 weeks of sore feet.  An alternative is trimming the nails and using a scratching post.  Also, ask about some behavior modification tricks to stop cats from scratching on furniture.