Becoming a cat owner is a lot of fun and a big responsibility, and owning a cat will bring an extra dimension to you and your family’s life. Your family will love watching your new arrival grow into a playful kitten and then a full grown adult – so it is vital that you take the right steps to ensure that she has a long, happy and healthy life.
Kittens have a natural immunity that is passed from their mother, so they will be protected for the first few weeks of their life. However, this soon fades, so it is vital that you register with the local vet and talk to them about a course of injections to protect her from disease.
The first time your kitten is vaccinated will usually be a course of two injections, with the initial vaccination followed by a booster three or four weeks later. This can be started when your kitten is as young as eight to nine weeks old, so as most kittens are older than this when they arrive in their new home, it is vital to talk to your vet as soon as possible. They will also want to give your kitten a full health check.
This course of vaccinations will protect your new kitten from potentially fatal diseases such as Feline Panleucopaenia (FLP) and Feline Leukemia Virus, as well as Cat Flu and Chlamydophila. Immunity to these diseases can fade over time, so make sure that she has regular vaccinations to maintain optimal protection.
Your kitten must have these vaccinations before she can go outside, so make sure her new home is warm and comfortable and she has lots of toys to play with before she ventures out into the big wide world!