Keeping your cat happy and healthy
Our vets and veterinary nurses have put together this handy section to provide a quick and easy guide to the health care required by your cat to keep them fit, healthy and active.
Vaccinations
The initial course for vaccination can begin at 9 weeks of age with the second dose being given 3 weeks later. After that an annual booster is required.
The diseases vaccinated against are:
- Feline enteritis
- Cat Flu
- Feline Leukaemia
For information about why vaccinations are so important click here.
Worming for kittens
On collection of your kitten check with the breeder if they have administered any worming or flea preparations prior to you taking your kitten home. This enables us to be sure when your next worming dose is due.
Worming for cats from 6 months
The worming requirements for adult cats will depend on what flea control you are using. Please speak to any of our healthcare team for details.
For more information about worming your cat, click here
Flea control
Fleas are a major problem to deal with once they have taken over your house, so prevention all year round is the key to a flea free home.
Our healthcare team can advise you on a personal parasite control plan for your cat, depending on your cat’s age.
Neutering
Neutering has many benefits for both male and female cats. Neutering stops cats from having unwanted kittens and reduces their chances of developing illnesses. In female cats it prevents cancer of the ovaries or womb. Neutering makes male cats less likely to fight, which reduces their chances of getting FIV (AIDS), which is spread by bites and scratches. It reduces the likelihood of them roaming, which in turn reduces their chances of being hit by a car and they are less likely to spray in the house.
- Males – can be castrated from 6 months of age. The testicles are completely removed.
- Females – can be spayed from 6 months of age. The uterus and ovaries are completely removed.
All cats undergo a free pre-operative check-up to ensure the time chosen for their neutering operation is appropriate as each cat is different and mature at differing rates.
Micro-chipping and identification
Every year more than 300,000 treasured pets go missing. Pets can go missing for a variety of reasons – they become scared and run away during the firework season or a heavy thunderstorm, wander too far from a new house and being naturally inquisitive, can easily become lost whilst investigating different noises or smells.
Having a microchip implanted is quick, simple and very cost effective. It will give you peace of mind if your cat does become lost, you will have more chance of being reunited faster. You also avoid the possibility of your cat being rehomed or kept in a shelter.
Here at Charter Vets all registered cats receive a complimentary Charter pet tag, on which is engraved our telephone number. This means, should anyone find your cat, lost or hurt, they have a 24-hour number to contact us. We will coordinate any emergency treatment necessary and take care of your cat until we can contact you.
> Healthy Pet Club
Save money and pay monthly for your pet’s essential preventative care with the Healthy Pet Club
> Pet Insurance
Cover your pets,
> Pet travel
Take the headache out of organising your Pet Passport with our fully inclusive package.
Older cats
Once a cat has reached 7 years of age they enter their ‘senior’ years. Changes start to occur and body systems and organs such as the brain and kidneys start to work less effectively. Many people shrug this off and put it down to old age, when in fact there is a lot of help and support we can give your cat through these years.
Please contact any of our surgeries for more information or to a range a ‘senior’ health assessment with one of our nurses.
Grooming
Groom your cat at least weekly! Most cats like it if done from being a kitten. It is great bonding and stops the fur getting matted.
