An important part of raising your little kitten is ensuring that he/she receives the vaccine shots on time. It is not only to ensure the safety and health of the little one, but also that of every person who will come in contact with the feline member of your family. Kids have a greater risk of contracting some fatal disease from the pet kitten.
The risk is present even if there are no strays in or around your property. As your kitten grows up, you will find that the difficulty to keep it confined indoors increases substantially.
Our big kitten look nervous right ????
Besides, depending in the country you are staying in, it might be legally binding to vaccinate your pet. As a pet-lover, it is your responsibility to ensure best health of your pet. Vaccination is an important step towards ensuring it.
What shots do kittens need?
There are various types of vaccines that you need to keep a track of and ensure timely administration. Broadly speaking, there are two categories of vaccines that you will have to administer your kitten with – core vaccines and non-core vaccines.
Core vaccines include rabies, feline calicivirus, feline viral rhinotracheitis, and feline pan leukopenia (distemper). The non-core vaccines comprise of Chlamydophila, feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), Feline Leukemia (FeLV), and Bordetella.
Core vaccines are the main shots that your kitten needs essentially. The non-core ones are majorly optional ones. They are the ones that are given to the cats depending upon their lifestyle and locality. The veterinary doctor, to whom you take your pet for regular check-up, best decides it. Some countries might have laws about the specific shots to be given to kitten that needs adhering to. Check up the list to know more about it.
When you go for a specific vaccine, you might be faced with the choice between MLV and other type. MLV is modified live virus. These vaccines trigger better and faster response and has a longer potency.
When do kittens need shots?
Kittens need vaccine shots all through their lifetime. We understand that if you are raising a kitten from an early stage, there is much to look into. Keeping a track of the timeline of vaccination can become tedious; especially with the large variety of vaccines, that needs administration. We have come up with a list that will make the work a lot easier.
The first vaccine is important and should be administered between 6 to 7 weeks of age. The small kitten will need a combination vaccine that will include calicivirus, feline distemper, and rhinotracheitis. There are some combinations available with Chlamydophila as well.
Once the kitten is 10 weeks old, you will need to take it for administration of another combination vaccine. This time, the Chlamydophila (Pneomonitis) vaccine will have to be included, if not present in the combination, if it is a concern in the area where you are living.
Once the kitten is 12 weeks or older, you will have to take it to get a shot of Rabies vaccine. Depending upon the local law pertaining to this, you might have to check the age at which the vaccine should be given.
At 13 weeks of age, the kitten should be again given a shot of combination vaccine along with Chlamydophila (Pneumonitis) and Feline Leukemia (FeLV). The latter two are needed if these diseases are a concern in the area.
Between 16 and 19 weeks of age, the kitten needs combination vaccine. Also, FeLV should be administered if needed.
Once the kitten grows older, you will have to follow a schedule of booster doses of vaccine. The booster will contain a combination vaccine and also Chlamydophila (Pneumonitis) and Feline Leukemia (FeLV), where these are required. The frequency of the booster will depend upon the type of vaccine that has been administered as well as depending upon local laws about vaccination. You can consult your veterinarian doctor about the right frequency.
Some FAQ
Below is some FAQ for you, you can see more on another article like best wet kitten food brands:
Why do kittens bite and lick me?
Most cat owners have been at the receiving end of this confusing treatment by their feline friend. First of all, don’t be alarmed. It is quite similar to love bites in human beings. The only trouble is that, to your cats the sharp bite isn’t as sharp and thus they don’t know that it hurts you.
It only shows its affection and gives you a kiss. You will have to be patient and make it realize that biting isn’t exactly acceptable means of showing affection.
When do kittens calm down?
Kittens can keep you busy, especially if you have just one in your house. Kittens are highly active and you will find yourself covered in scratches during the initial days.
They can even climb up almost everything and anything and will barely calm down. This trend decreases over time in some cats, but in some, it doesn’t. If you want your kitten to calm down a bit and save yourself from the scratches and incessant mewing, get a playmate. An adult cat might also help out in this case.
How to stop a kitten from biting?
Kittens love to play and they can play rough at times. Biting and scratching most often fall within the ambit of their playful nature. However, being human, it is probably quite painful at times. You will have to teach your kitten that it is not okay to bite and scratch. For starter, you should get some toys for the kitten to play with.
Also, say no or make a sharp sound when the kitten bites and move away. The kitten will learn in time that this is not acceptable. Do not be too harsh, as it will scare the kitten. Be patient.
How to get a kitten to sleep?
Kitten can be pretty active, but tend to sleep after a heavy meal. Give your kitten heavy meal right before your bedtime. This will ensure you and your kitten has a nice sleep. Also, tiring your kitten with activities is a good way.
If your kitten keeps waking up after few hours and wants food, timed feeder is the option.
When do kittens stop growing?
Your kitten will grow up in two stages. In the first 4 months the newborn becomes a kitten, which is the first cycle. The next is between 4 months and in-between 8 and 12 months. During this time the kitten will become adult.
How to make a kitten poop?
The newborn kitten cannot poop on their own. If you have an orphaned newborn kitten, use a soft cloth, soak in warm water and use it to caress the anal region right after meal. This is similar to what the mother does after meal. It will initiate pooping. Also, this will develop a habit of pooping after meal.
When do kittens’ eyes change color?
Between 6 to 7 weeks of age, the kitten’s eye color will change from blue to the permanent shade. This should not change in future.
References and Further Reading
Ford, R.B. Feline Vaccination Guidelines. In Bonagura, JD; Twedt, JD (eds.) Current Veterinary Therapy XIV. W.B. Saunders Co. Philadelphia, PA; 2008; 1275-1278.
Greene, CE; Schultz, RD. Immunoprophylaxis. In Greene, CE (eds.) Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat, ed 3. W.B. Saunders Co. St. Louis, 2006; 1069.
Klingborg, DJ; Hustead, DR; Curry-Galvin, EA; Gumley, NR; Henry, SC; Bain, FT; et al. AVMA Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents’ report on cat and dog vaccines. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. November 15, 2002 (Volume 221, No. 10); 1401-1407.
Levy, J; Crawford, C; Hartmann, K; Hofman-Lehmann, R; Little, S; Sundahl, E; Thayer, V. 2008 American Association of Feline Practitioners’ feline retrovirus management guidelines. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 2008; 10:300-316.
Richards, JR et al. The 2006 American Association of Feline Practitioners Feline Advisory Panel Report, Journal of the American Veterinary Associaiton, 2006; 229(9):1405.
