Bringing a new kitten home is like having a new baby in the house. While you may not have to worry about changing diapers, there are quite a few things that are important to know.

One of your first and most important tasks is to make sure you schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible. Call us at 706-568-4848 to schedule.

During your visit, we will help you:

• Decide what type of food your new kitten should eat as well as how much and how often your kitten should eat
• Determine the best way to control parasites like fleas and ticks
• Recognize common signs of illness
• Understand when it is safe to introduce your cat to other animals
• Determine when you should spay or neuter your kitten
• Decide if your kitten should reside indoors or outdoors
• Schedule your next appointment.

Providing your new kitten with the best possible care will help them get started on a healthy life.  Continuing routine pet care will help detect diseases early.  The earlier you start treating a problem, the better the outcome, and the quicker your cat returns to their healthy and happy life.

Tips for your new kitten

• Food and water: While it is obvious that your cat will need food and water, not all food is the same. Make sure the food you are feeding your cat is high quality and full of protein.  Your kitten will need a proper diet to help provide them with the best nutrition. We will help you decide on the best diet for your new kitten. Also, make sure your new kitten has access to water 24/7.
• Toys and Treats: Cats are curious animals and often want to play or get into things around the house. Toys are a great way to help keep your kitten’s attention and can help keep your kitten out of trouble.
• Vaccinations: Diseases can often be transmitted from one animal to another. It is best to have your kitten vaccinated to help keep them healthy and to help prevent the contraction and spread of disease. Depending on your cities laws, you might also be required to have your kitten vaccinated for Rabies.
• Spay or Neuter: When your cat reaches the appropriate age, they will need to be spayed or neutered. Not only does this help decrease the number of unwanted pregnancies, but it also helps reduce the chance of ovarian and testicular cancer later in life.

Important items to provide for your new kitten

• High-quality food formulated for kittens
• Food bowls, preferably metal or ceramic
• Litterbox and cat litter
• Collar, ID tags and microchip (ask us about microchips)
• A comfortable, warm cat bed
• Cat carrier (to help transport your cat to the vet and other places)
• Scratching post(s)
• Kitten-safe toys (make sure there are no small pieces that your kitten can swallow)
• Cat brush
• Cat toothbrush and toothpaste

At Animal General Hospital, we want to help you and your new kitten get off to the right start. A cat can be a delightful and entertaining companion for many years and our goal is to help make those years the best possible.

Schedule your appointment for your new kitten today (706-568-4848).