Should my kitten be vaccinated?

Vaccinations are important for your young kitten. Some infectious diseases are fatal, and vaccinations can protect your kitten from many of these diseases. The core vaccinations will protect your kitten from the most common diseases: feline distemper (panleukopenia), feline viral rhinotracheitis (feline herpes virus 1), calicivirus, feline leukemia (FeLV), and rabies. The first three are included in a combination vaccine (FVRCP). To be effective, immunizations must be given as a series of injections at prescribed intervals, so it is essential that you are on time for your kitten’s scheduled vaccinations. Immunizations are started at 8 weeks of age and are repeated every 3–4 weeks until the kitten is 16–20 weeks old.

What is feline leukemia virus (FeLV)?

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a virus that only infects cats. It was first discovered in cats with a form of leukemia (cancer of the white blood cells). FeLV can cause a variety of diseases in addition to leukemia. Like all viruses, FeLV is a tiny microorganism that can only replicate itself inside living cells. 

What disease does the virus cause?

Although the development of cancer is one outcome of FeLV infection, other diseases are more common. In many cats, FeLV infection results in a moderate to severe suppression of the immune system. This means that the infected cat is less able to defend itself against a wide range of infections. Affected cats may develop various clinical signs, and there is a progressive deterioration in their health over time.

Another common occurrence in FeLV-infected cats is the development of life-threatening anemia (low red blood cells). Other problems, including abortion, severe enteritis (intestinal inflammation), neurological (nerve) disease, and ocular (eye) disease are commonly associated with FeLV infection.

FeLV-related disease is usually fatal. Studies have shown that 80-90% of FeLV-infected cats will die within three to four years of initial diagnosis.

How is FeLV transmitted?

Direct contact between cats is the most frequent method of FeLV infection. The virus is fragile and cannot survive longer than a few hours outside a cat's body. A cat with FeLV sheds a large quantity of the virus in its saliva, as well as in other bodily fluids such as nasal secretions, urine and feces. However, FeLV is not a highly contagious virus, and transmission generally requires a prolonged period of close contact between infected and susceptible cats. Close contact activities include mating, mutual grooming, cat bites and sharing of litter trays and food bowls.

Another potential source of infection occurs when a pregnant cat infected with FeLV gives birth. In this situation, the kittens may be born with FeLV virus or, more likely, are infected when their mother grooms them. However, most queens infected with FeLV are infertile or there is pre-natal death of the kittens through abortion or resorption of the fetuses.

How can infection be prevented?

Vaccines are available to protect cats against FeLV infection. Their use is highly recommended for any adult cat that goes outside at any time and therefore could have contact with FeLV-infected cats. Vaccination is also recommended for all kittens, regardless of lifestyle, because kittens are highly susceptible to infection, and regular boosters are necessary to maintain immunity. All cats should be tested for FeLV prior to vaccination. 

Although vaccination is very helpful in preventing infection with FeLV and therefore controlling FeLV-related disease, no vaccine is 100% protective. Do not allow your cat to roam. When possible, do not allow your cat, particularly as a kitten, to come into close contact with known FeLV-infected cats or cats without a known history of proper vaccinations.

What is panleukopenia?

The term panleukopenia refers to a decrease in the number of all the white blood cells in the body. White blood cells play a major role in immunity and are important in defending against infections and diseases. In severe panleukopenia, white blood cell numbers may drop from the normal of several thousand per milliliter of blood to just a few hundred.

How is this infection transmitted?

The virus is present in all excretions of infected cats. A susceptible cat can be infected by direct contact with an infected cat, or the virus can be transferred via contaminated water, food bowls, or on shoes and clothing. The incubation period from infection until clinical signs develop is typically three to five days, seldom longer than a week.

What are the clinical signs of panleukopenia?

There is some variation in the clinical signs, but cats typically experience depression or listlessness, which may progress to collapse. Since the virus infects and destroys rapidly growing cells, the intestinal tract is often affected. Vomiting and diarrhea are frequent, and diarrhea may contain blood. The hair coat quickly becomes dull and rough and the skin loses its elasticity due to dehydration.

Often, cats with panleukopenia develop other infections because their immune system is weakened. They may have purulent (green/yellow) discharge from the eyes and nose. In young kittens with severe infections, sometimes, the only clinical sign is sudden death.

How can I protect my cat against panleukopenia?

Fortunately, excellent vaccines are available and are part of the core feline vaccination program. 

The immunity produced by the panleukopenia vaccine is generally strong, but it decreases with time and at a faster rate in some cats than others; therefore, booster vaccinations are strongly recommended. 

What is herpesvirus infection?

Herpesvirus infection, also known as feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), is an infectious disease caused by feline herpesvirus type-1 (FHV-1). As with other herpes viruses, the virus is very species-specific and is only known to cause infections in domestic and wild cats of all ages.

FVR is a major cause of upper respiratory disease in cats and is the most common cause of conjunctivitis (inflammation of the tissues surrounding the eye, especially the lining of the lids and the third eyelid).

How does a cat become infected with feline herpesvirus?

The virus is spread in saliva and in discharges from the eyes and nose of an infected cat. An infection occurs when a susceptible cat comes into direct contact with an infected cat, or with inanimate objects (e.g., clothing, food and water dishes, furniture) that have been contaminated with viral particles.

What are the clinical signs of FVR infection?

The typical signs of FVR involve the nose, throat, and eyes, and include sneezing, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis, excessive blinking, squinting, and discharges from the eyes and nose that range from clear and watery to thick and purulent (containing yellow/green pus).

The virus may also cause keratitis, or inflammation and infection of the cornea, leading to corneal ulcers. In chronic or severe infections, the keratitis can lead to corneal scarring or chronic 'dry eye'.

Other non-specific symptoms may include fever, lethargy (tiredness), anorexia (poor appetite), and enlarged lymph nodes.

How can this disease be prevented?

The standard core vaccines that are given to cats include a vaccine against feline viral rhinotracheitis. The FVR vaccine will not completely prevent an infection from occurring if your cat is exposed to the virus, but it will significantly reduce the severity of the infection and will shorten the length of the illness. Solid immunity to these viruses is not long-term and may be overcome by exposure to a high dose of virus. Therefore, the FVR vaccine needs to be boostered on a regular basis. 

A cat that is a carrier of FVR may benefit from periodic boosters with the intranasal herpes and calicivirus vaccine (up to two to three times per year), which may prevent reactivation of the virus, thus decreasing the likelihood of recurrent infection and of viral shedding.

If you plan onboarding or showing your cat, consult your veterinarian about the need for a booster vaccine at least two weeks before the planned event.

Preventing direct contact between your cat and other cats will greatly minimize the chance that your cat will pick up an infection, while following good sanitation and hygiene practices, such as washing your hands thoroughly before and after petting another cat, will further reduce the likelihood of disease spread between cats. If your cat has had an FVR infection, you should keep her indoors to prevent the spread of this infection to other cats in your neighborhood.

What is feline calicivirus?

Feline calicivirus is a virus that is a major cause of upper respiratory infections and oral disease in cats.  Although several different viruses and bacteria can cause respiratory disease in cats, calicivirus is one of the more common infectious agents isolated in cats with a respiratory infection.

How does a cat get a calicivirus infection?

Calicivirus is highly contagious and infected cats can shed the virus in saliva or secretions from the nose or eyes. 

The virus may survive for up to one week in a contaminated environment. Susceptible cats can get an infection by direct contact with another infected cat or by environmental exposure to objects that have been contaminated with infectious secretions. People that have touched contaminated objects or an infected cat can also spread the virus to susceptible cats.

Although all susceptible cats may develop a calicivirus infection, symptoms tend to be more severe in young kittens.

What are the clinical signs of a calicivirus infection?

Calicivirus causes the typical clinical signs of an upper respiratory infection involving the nose and throat, such as sneezing, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis (inflammation of the membranes lining the eyelids), and discharge from the nose or eyes. The discharge may be clear or may become yellow/green in color. In addition to these typical symptoms, cats with a calicivirus infection often develop ulcers on the tongue, hard palate, gums, lips, or nose. These cats will usually salivate or drool excessively as the ulcers are very painful. Other non-specific signs of an upper respiratory infection include anorexia, lethargy, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and squinting.

How can calicivirus infections be prevented?

Since calicivirus is a highly infectious disease and apparently healthy cats can be carriers of the disease, it can be difficult to prevent your cat from exposure to the virus. Boarding facilities, humane societies, animal shelters, and cat shows are all places where susceptible cats can be readily exposed to calicivirus.

Preventing direct contact between your cat and other cats will greatly minimize the chance that your cat will pick up an infection. In addition, following good sanitation and hygiene practices, such as washing your hands thoroughly before and after petting another cat, will reduce the likelihood that you will spread the disease to your cat.

The standard core vaccines that are given to cats include immunization against calicivirus and will help reduce the severity of disease and shorten the length of the illness if your cat is exposed.  After the initial series, the vaccine will also need to be boosted on a regular basis every three years.

It is particularly important to give your cat a booster vaccine before he or she is placed in a high risk situation such as boarding, grooming, going to a cat show, or otherwise being exposed to cats that could be potential carriers of calicivirus.

What is rabies?

Rabies is a viral disease that can infect all warm-blooded animals, including people. When signs of rabies occur, it is an almost invariably fatal disease. Rabies has been recognized and described since approximately 2300 BC.

How widespread is rabies?

Rabies occurs on every continent except Australia and Antarctica.

How is the virus transmitted?

Rabies virus does not survive long outside a mammal's body. The virus is usually transmitted when the saliva of an infected animal is introduced beneath the skin of a bite wound. In North America, the skunk, raccoon, fox, and bat are important reservoirs for the virus. 

How long is the incubation period between a bite from an infected animal and the appearance of symptoms in the cat?

This can vary from ten days to one year or longer. Incubation in the cat is generally less than in the dog and is typically three to eight weeks. Death usually occurs within ten days from the first onset of signs.

The speed at which clinical signs develop depends upon:

• The site of infection. The nearer the bite is to the brain and spinal cord, the quicker the virus reaches the nervous tissue and causes symptoms.
• The severity of the bite.
• The amount of virus introduced by the bite. Rabies virus is not always present in the saliva of an infected animal.

What are the clinical signs of rabies?

Following a bite or scratch from a rabid animal, the disease progresses through three stages:

1. In the first or prodromal stage, there is a marked change in temperament; quiet cats become agitated and can become aggressive, while active extroverts may become nervous or shy.
2. This phase is then followed by so-called furious rabies, which is the most recognizable form seen in the cat. The cat becomes increasingly agitated, irritable, and vicious. Muscle spasms will often prevent swallowing and there is excessive drooling of saliva.
3. The third stage is the paralytic stage, which usually occurs after about seven days. Ultimately, the cat will become comatose and die.

Should my cat be vaccinated?

Yes. Rabies vaccination is required by law in most states and provinces. Rabies vaccination of cats is important for your safety as well as your cats. Rabies vaccines are very effective and are usually given to kittens at three to four months of age, then every 3 years. 

Why does my kitten need more than one vaccination?

When a kitten nurses his mother, he receives a temporary form of immunity through colostrum, the milk that is produced in the first days after the kittens are born. Colostrum contains high levels of maternal antibodies that can provide protection against diseases that the mother has been exposed to, either naturally or by vaccination. This passive immunity is useful during the first few weeks of your kitten’s life but, at some point, those levels decline, and your kitten must develop his own active, long-lasting immunity. Vaccinations are used to provide this long-lasting protection.

As long as the mother's antibodies are present, vaccinations are unable to stimulate the kitten’s immune system because the mother's antibodies neutralize the vaccine.

Many factors determine when a kitten will be able to respond to vaccinations. These include the level of immunity in the mother at the time of birth, how many antibodies the nursing kitten absorbed, and the general health of the kitten. Since it is unknown when an individual kitten will lose its short-term maternal immunity, a series of vaccinations are given. The goal is for at least two of these to fall within the time frame when the kitten has lost immunity from its mother and has not yet been exposed to a disease. A single vaccination, even if effective, is not likely to stimulate long-term immunity, which is critically important.

The rabies vaccine is an exception to this; one injection given at the right time is enough to produce long-term immunity.

To keep up your cat’s immunity through adulthood, vaccines are repeated once every one to three years depending on circumstances and the type of vaccine.

Do all kittens have worms?

Not all kittens have worms (intestinal parasites), but most of them do. The same milk that protects nursing kittens from disease and provides nutrition also carries intestinal worms and can transfer them to young kittens shortly after birth. Infection can also occur before kittens are born, as some intestinal parasites are transmitted to kittens through the bloodstream while they are still in the womb. Since kittens can become infected so early and intestinal parasites can cause severe illness, treatment needs to begin when the kitten is only a couple of weeks old.

A microscopic examination of a stool sample will identify which worms a kitten is infected with, so a specific treatment plan can be prescribed. Many kittens are infected with common intestinal worms, so your veterinarian may routinely administer a broad-spectrum dewormer that is safe and effective against several species of intestinal worms. This medication, which kills adult worms, is given every two to four weeks to target the most susceptible stage of the worm’s life cycle.

Tapeworms, one of the most common intestinal parasites in cats, do not follow this developmental pattern. Kittens do not get tapeworms from their mothers. They become infected when they swallow fleas carrying tapeworm eggs while grooming. The flea is digested within the cat's intestine, releasing the tapeworm egg. The egg hatches and anchors itself to the intestinal lining. Cats may also get a tapeworm infection by eating infected mice or birds.

There are other less common parasites that can infect kittens, such as coccidia and giardia that require special treatment. These parasites are typically found in a fecal examination done in a laboratory.

Cats remain susceptible to re-infection by tapeworms, hookworms, and roundworms, so periodic deworming throughout your cat's life is recommended. 

What should I do if my kitten has fleas?

Contrary to popular belief, most of the flea life cycle is spent away from the cat, as only adult fleas live on an animal. The egg, larva, and pupa feed and develop in the environment. Therefore, flea control should include treatment of the environment, as well as your pet. Luckily, many flea products used on your pet also help control other parts of the flea life cycle. Be sure that any flea product you use is labeled as safe for kittens. Many of the flea control products that are safe for dogs are dangerous for kittens, so consult your veterinarian before choosing a flea control product. 

What are ear mites?

Ear mites are tiny parasites that live in the ear canal of dogs and cats. The most common sign of an ear mite infection is excessive and persistent scratching of the ears that can result in injury if not addressed promptly. Sometimes the ears will appear dirty. The tiny mites can be seen with magnification, either directly in the ear with an otoscope or by examining a sample of the ear discharge under a microscope. Ear mites spend the majority of their lives within the protection of the ear canal, and transmission requires direct contact with an infected animal.

Ear mites are easily transmitted between cats and dogs (but not humans) by direct contact. Kittens will usually become infected if their mother has ear mites. If one pet in the household has ear mites, it is advised to treat all of your pets. Successive applications of topical medication to the kitten’s ear or skin will eliminate ear mites.

What should I feed my kitten?

For optimal development, kittens require a different balance of nutrients compared to their adult counterparts. Feeding your kitten a high-quality, nutritionally balanced diet formulated for kittens will help him mature into a healthy adult cat. While he may reach his adult size before one year of age, it is important to continue with a kitten-specific diet until one year, while his digestive, immune, and neurologic systems are still developing.

Pet food labels contain important information. AAFCO (The Association of American Feed Control Officials) has developed guidelines for the nutritional needs of pets at different life stages and for how nutrition information is to be displayed. Compliant pet food companies can print corresponding AAFCO statements on their packaging in Canada and the US. At a minimum, look for kitten foods with this statement:

“BRAND AND DIET NAME is formulated to meet the nutrition levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for growth.” 

Some pet food brands will boast this statement without formally testing their diets to prove that they do in fact meet the guidelines. You will know a brand has gone the extra mile if the statement reads:

“Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that BRAND AND DIET NAME provides complete and balanced nutrition for growing kittens.” 

Your veterinarian can help you select the most appropriate diet for your kitten. Your kitten’s caloric (energy) needs will also change throughout the development phase (especially after being spayed or neutered); your veterinarian can guide you on feeding portions for healthy weight management.

To help your kitten stay hydrated, offer both kibble and canned food at mealtimes and ensure fresh drinking water is always available. Many cats prefer to drink from a water fountain.

Treats are a very important part of your kitten’s diet! Try a variety of treats to see which type your kitten loves the most. You can then use this favored treat as a special reward in positive reinforcement training. You can treat your kitten when he uses the litter box, scratches his post, or goes into his carrier. To maintain the treat’s value, avoid giving treats “just because” or giving too many. As a rule, treats should account for no more than 10% of your kitten’s daily caloric intake.

What should my kitten NOT eat?

It is best not to feed cats anything other than food that is made just for them. Many common food items can be harmful to cats, including:

• Onion (all varieties)
• Garlic
• Chocolate
• Raw egg, meat, bone, and yeast dough
• Grapes and raisins
• Dairy containing lactose
• Alcoholic and caffeinated beverages

While not food items for us, cats enjoy munching on plants and flowers. Some are toxic to cats and should either be kept out of the home or inaccessible. Common examples include: 

• Lilies
• Tulips
• Daffodils
• Marijuana
• Aloe vera
• Cilantro 
• Azalea

There are several other plants and flowers that are harmful to cats, so if you are not sure about some of those in your home, consult your veterinarian for advice. Because many cats enjoy how plants feel in their mouths, you can offer “cat grass”, which is grown from any combination of oat, wheat, barley, and rye seeds.

How do I trim my kitten's nails?

You can trim your kitten’s nails with regular fingernail clippers or with nail trimmers designed for cats, but you must do so carefully. If you take too much off the nail, you will cut into the quick, which will result in bleeding and pain.

Here are a few helpful pointers:

• Cats often have clear or white nails, so you can see the pink quick through the nail. This is a small pink triangle visible near the base of the nail. Avoid this pink area to stay safely away from the quick.
• Use sharp trimmers. Dull trimmers can pinch or crush the nail and cause pain, even if you are not on the quick.
• Have styptic powder (a clotting substance) on hand in case bleeding occurs. This product is available at pet stores or from your veterinarian. In an emergency, corn starch or a bar of soap can be used to help stop the bleeding.
• Playing with your kitten’s feet and rewarding her with treats during and after nail trims is a good way to help encourage good behavior for future nail trims.

Scratching is a normal cat behavior. If your kitten is exhibiting scratching behavior that is undesirable to you, enrich your cat’s environment. Scratching posts, boxes, and other scratching products should be placed in multiple locations in your home.

Declawing can have serious harmful physical and behavioral outcomes for cats and multiple cities, counties, states, and countries have banned the procedure. If you are unsure about trimming your kitten’s nails, ask your veterinary healthcare professionals for help. They can teach you how to make the procedure easy and painless – for you and your kitten.

Should I have my female cat spayed?

Spaying is the surgical removal of the uterus and the ovaries and eliminates the cat’s estrus (heat) cycles. Spaying young cats (from three to six months old) offers several advantages: 

• When a cat is in heat, she will posture and vocalize to attract nearby male suitors, which can be an annoyance to owners, and the urge to mate will be so strong that she may constantly attempt to escape the home. 
• It eliminates the risk of unplanned pregnancy and helps control cat overpopulation problems. 
• Spaying prior to the first heat cycle greatly reduces her risk of breast cancer and uterine infection.

Should I have my male cat neutered?

Neutering (castration) refers to the complete removal of the testicles in a male cat, and like spaying, offers many advantages:

• Un-neutered males are involved in more cat fights than their neutered friends. Fighting increases the risk of infectious diseases and serious injuries.
• Some male cats go through a significant personality change as they mature, becoming possessive of their territory and marking it with their urine to ward off other cats. Intruding cats that disregard the urine warning may be met with aggression.
• Even if he is kept inside, the urges to find a mate and defend territory will still be strong and can result in constant stress and frustration.
• The urine of an un-neutered male cat has a very strong odor that is difficult to remove. Un-neutered males will spray inside the house in places other than the litter box.
• Some un-neutered males may be less friendly towards their human family members, too.

See the handout “Neutering in Cats” for more information.

What kind of identification should my cat have?

All cats should have identification. Even strictly indoor cats have been known to escape the confines of their safe homes and become lost. Cats often do not tolerate collars well, and they have the potential to cause injury, so ID tags are not the best option for pet identification.

The most widely recommended pet identification device is the microchip. This tiny device is implanted with a needle, much like administering an injection. The microchip will contain important information about your cat and how to contact you. A special scanner can detect these chips; veterinary hospitals, humane societies, and animal shelters have these scanners. A national registry assists in the identification and return of microchipped pets throughout the United States and Canada. The microchip can be quickly implanted during any regular veterinary appointment.

Adding a kitten to your family is a lot of fun. Remember that kittens are very energetic, so be prepared to build play routines into your daily routine. Discourage play that encourages your kitten to play with your hands directly and offer ‘kitten safe’, stimulating toys. Providing your kitten with the health care she needs will set her up for a long, healthy, happy life.