[hell kitty]

I've been thinking of getting a kitten for a while now, as our old cat died almost a year ago and DD and I miss her, and miss having a cat.

As it's been nearly 15 years since I last had a kitten, I just want to get a quick refresh on what age they would need vaccinations and desexing, and anything else that I haven't thought of. From memory, cats are fairly easy to 'toilet train' (my two were I think), any advice on this appreciated too.

A friend of a friend has a kitten that may be still looking for a home, (finding out tomorrow) so just want to get prepared if it does eventuate.

This post has been edited by hell kitty: 06/02/2013, 11:59 PM

[epg]

First shots at 6-8 weeks (before it leaves its mother)
Normally then again at 10-12 weeks and 14-16 weeks plus an extra if it's getting vaccinated against FIV (which you should do if it will be outdoors)
Desexing normally at 6 months, plus microchip.

[*Spikey*]

Okay, check with the vet about desexing, but from 12 weeks onward seems to be the go for desexing.

You will need worming tablets or paste - and will probably have to do several rounds in quick succession. Also consider suitable flea and tick treatments.

Bowls, bedding and litter tray are the other essentials. Kitty toys can be DIY (crumpled paper is fun, as are flicked ponytail holders) or store-bought. Kitties will TT themselves - well, their mother will have TT'd them for you if she had a litter tray. Kittens get with the program very quickly, unlike puppies.

Finally, don't forget to microchip your baby! and consider keeping it indoors 24/7. An indoor cat is safe from other cats, dogs, people and motor vehicles. They also don't bother the neighbours or kill the wildlife, which are two other good reasons for keeping your cat indoors or in a secure enclosure.

[Marquise]

First shots at 6-8 weeks (before it leaves its mother)
Normally then again at 10-12 weeks and 14-16 weeks plus an extra if it's getting vaccinated against FIV (which you should do if it will be outdoors)
Desexing normally at 6 months, plus microchip.

this. also, worming/flea treatment once a fortnight from 8 weeks until 15 weeks, when goes to once a month from then on.

toilet training is usually easy - put them on the litter after eating, scratch their paw through. They very quickly get the idea - especially if the litter box is in a corner. They like pooing in corners. Keep the litter box clean - change frequently - and no more than 2 kittens per tray. You might need to try a few sorts of litter to see which one they like best (if they don't like it believe me you'll know) but you might be lucky first go. Personally, I'd start with the enviro one you can flush down the loo. Needs to be changed more often but is better on a few different fronts.

and post pics to keep this crazy cat lady happy.

[hell kitty]

Thanks so much for the quick replies! I had actually forgotten about the worming! The kitten will definitely be an indoors cat, (learned that lesson the hard, expensive way!) but I will get it vaccinated against FIV anyway. I'm not sure how old the little guy is that I am possibly getting, or if he has had any shots at all yet, if not, I'll get the vet to advise the best course of action with vaccinations.

[la di dah]

Mine all litter-box trained by 8 weeks. It was very painless and un-puppy-like. I once had a kitten I found living outside at a junkyard (that now is a great smug cloud of a cat that lives with my parents) and she litterbox trained by being sat in the litterbox for the first time at about 7 weeks old having never seen one before. She was fine after that though I suspect she'd have made trouble in a child's sandbox.

My two cats now each were fine with litter when I got them and the "old one" was 9 weeks.

I didn't get my white moggie desexed until about 7 months or so but that was only because coming from the rescue situation he had, he was too ill. If he hadn't been such an incredible DIY I would have had him done earlier for the sake of not worrying about it.

When I was fostering we desexed healthy kittens at 9 weeks just so the new homes wouldn't have to worry about it (or hypothetically forget to get around to it) but I think that was more a pragmatic "no new generation of unwanted kittens" than possibly ideal vet practice. On the other hand, the boys especially did not seem to notice.

[Bluenomi]

Depending on where you are you shouldn't legally be able to get a kitten that hasn't been desexed. So that sohuldn't be an issue hopefully.

[midstudentcatie]

Any kitty news?

12 weeks or 1kg in weight for desexing seems to be the way that most breeders here are going. Gus was done at 11 weeks and hasn't had any issues so far - he's not a sprayer, he's certainly not stunted in growth, and he's all round a healthy and happy chappy. He was chipped at the same time as desexing. Vaccinations were at 8, 12 and 16 weeks (first two were done before we picked him up), worming was fortnightly until 16 weeks.

He was litter trained when we picked him up, but from what I've heard it's reasonably easy, esp if kitty's been with mum.

[hell kitty]

Still waiting....my friend couldn't get hold of his friend with the kitten today. Apparently it's a stray, so no idea how old, although the photo he showed me suggest about 6 -8 weeks - apparently very friendly (AND really cute!!).

My previous cats were rescues too, and from what I remember (going back 14 and 17 years), pretty easy to toilet train, unlike the dog....took about 3 years, I actually witnessed the moment the penny dropped!!

Hopefully I'll be able to pick it up on Sunday (working all day tomorrow). Trip to the vets first thing Monday I think! Will keep you all posted.

[hell kitty]

Got the kitten today, she is so cute! Grey and fluffy. DD wanted to call her Fluffy originally. We've gone with Violet as she's got a kind of Russian Blue look to her. She was a stray/abandoned so we don't know exactly how old she is, the girl I got her from took her to the vet who thought about 8 weeks.
She seems comfortable on my lap or me holding her, I've set up a bed, kitty litter and food in the laundry. She first went and hid behind the vacuum cleaner, then she discovered behind the washing machine.
I rescued her from behind the washing machine, then she did a bit of pee on me (must like me!). After I put her back in the laundry she found the kitty litter, then she found her food, so I think she's going to be fine in a day or two! DD loves her! Now to figure out how to upload a photo....

http://s906.beta.photobucket.com/user/cath...9211a4.jpg.html

http://s906.beta.photobucket.com/user/cath...9211a4.jpg.html