CONGRATULATIONS
ON GETTING YOUR NEW KITTEN

At Pet Medics, we are here 24/7 if you have a problem with your pet, but we would prefer to keep your new kitten fit and well, and for you to enjoy many happy, healthy years together.

Here is our check list for starting out on the right road with your new pet.

8 Weeks of age

• It is time to worm your kitten. Worms are extremely common in kittens, and can cause problems for growing kittens, as well as causing serious disease in humans, which is why we recommend regular worming with a veterinary prescribed product.

• Now is the time to start thinking about dental care. Dental disease can be painful and cause nasty infections, regular dental care will help prevent this. The nurses at Pet Medics will show you how to get started.

• This is also the time to start thinking about nutrition. There are many cat foods available, and the choice can be very confusing - we recommend you feed a well known make of branded cat food which is specially formulated for the appropriate stage of your cat's life (i.e. kittenhood), this ensures that you will be providing your kitten with all the nutrients it needs to grow at an appropriate rate. We have a large choice of cat foods available in our pet shop, (based at Pet Medics Wardley), along with anything else you may need for your kitten, and our pet shop staff are able to offer advice and answer any questions you have.

9 Weeks of age, or older

• Bring your kitten into one of our three surgeries for his/her first vaccination. At Pet Medics we recommend vaccination against feline flu, enteritis and leukaemia. Even indoor cats need vaccinations as you can be a carrier of disease from another cat to your cat.

• It is time to start thinking about pet insurance. Here at Pet Medics we recommend all owners take out insurance, to get you started we provide four weeks free pet insurance from Pet Plan, please ask at reception for your free cover note when your kitten is vaccinated.

12 Weeks of age, or 3 weeks after your kitten's first vaccination

• Time for your kitten's second vaccination. Remember you must wait at least three more weeks before letting your kitten out to play. Your cat will need his/her first booster vaccination in one year's time; we will send you a reminder card when this is due.

• It is time to worm your kitten again.

• Time to start with regular preventative flea treatment. Unfortunately fleas are a year round nuisance, which can cause real problems for you and your pet. This is why we advise you use a regular preventative product throughout the year. At Pet Medics we can advise you about the best products to use. We recommend using flea products from one of our surgeries as they work better and are safer than those from pet shops, (a lot of pet shop products contain pyrethrin based drugs which can cause nasty side effects, and in some incidences can kill cats).

• Now is the time to think about pet insurance again. As cats do not have the benefit of the NHS you have to pay for any treatment your pet needs, pet insurance allows you to have complete peace of mind with regards to vet's bills if your pet is ever unfortunate enough to have an accident or become seriously ill and need veterinary treatment. We strongly recommend you get your pet insured, ideally with a life long policy, (which will cover your pet for any condition for the rest of its life); there are numerous pet insurance companies available for you to choose from.

• Microchipping time. Microchipping is a great way to be sure that if you ever lose your pet you have the best chance of getting them back. Here at Pet Medics we provide this peace of mind for under £20.