Getting a new cat is an exciting time, whether they’re new to the world or simply new to you.
Congratulations on your new fur friend!
Getting a new cat is an exciting time, whether they’re new to the world or simply new to you. Here are our favourite tips, tricks, and ‘need to knows’ for helping them live their best life – for their whole life.
Vaccinations
Vaccinating your new family member – and keeping up with their booster shots – is one of the best things you can do to keep them well. Core vaccinations recommended for all cats include the following serious and highly infectious diseases:
- Feline Herpes Virus
- Feline Respiratory Disease
- Feline Panleukopenia Virus
We also recommend vaccination to protect against:
- Feline Leukaemia Virus FeLV
- Chlamydophila
Ask our team about this additional protection. If you’re protecting your new kitten, they’ll need to complete the full initial course of vaccinations before they are protected. Then, keep them protected with regular boosters. But don’t worry,
we’ll remind you when it’s time to come back in – and we’ll give them a good preventative check over at the same time.
Parasite Prevention
Keeping fleas, worms and other parasites at bay not only protects your fur friend, but your human family too.
Kittens can be infected with roundworms through their mother’s milk so need to be wormed every fortnight from two weeks of age. From 3-6 months, worm monthly and from six months, worm every 3 months.
Fleas can cause an allergic skin disease for your cat, anaemia and even death in kittens. The fleas carry tapeworm eggs and can transmit disease to the human members of your family so it’s essential to use a quality product that protects at all stages of the flea lifecycle.
A range of easy-care options are available, including combined flea, mite, and worm treatments. Ask our team for their recommendation for you; we’ll even set you up with reminders to keep the nasties away!
Desexing
We recommend desexing of all fur friends to reduce unwanted litters and related behaviours such as spraying. Cats can have kittens from 5 months of age, so talk to us about desexing your kitten from 4-6 months of age.
Microchipping and Registration
Microchipping gives you the best chance of being reunited with your fur friend if they get lost. This simple procedure can be done at one of your vaccination appointments or at the same time as desexing. You can update your details at
animalregister.co.nz
Feed them right
Your cat needs a complete diet that includes high protein levels and taurine to keep them in tip-top health. Their needs will change at different ages and stages; we can also recommend nutrition to support specific health needs. We only stock quality nutrition that we recommend – and feed to our own pets – so you know it’s good!
Also make sure your fur friend has access to clean, fresh water at all times, whether they are inside or outside. Cats drink more frequently from a moving water source; check out drinking fountains to keep them hydrated.
Cat fights
No matter how sweet they are with you, our cats often go on adventures well beyond our backyards and will fight to defend their territory. Bites received during fights frequently lead to a nasty abscess. Check your fur friend often as bites may be hidden in their coat. Bring them to see us early to avoid pain, infection, and more complicated treatments.
Prevention is better than cure!
It’s not just about living long; it’s about living well.
Annual wellness consults, regular preventative blood screening and lifelong dental care will ensure that your new fur friend is living their best life with you for years to come. At a wellness consult, we’ll check your fur friend from nose to tail and talk to your about their weight, overall health, and age-related things to look out for. We’ll also check their teeth and go through options ranging from preventative care through to dental procedures as needed.
Between visits, keep your cat’s teeth healthy at home. Our team can show you how to brush their teeth with pet-friendly tools and pastes (top tip, start when they are young!) or show you other options including dental treats and nutrition.
Insurance
For the ultimate peace of mind, we recommend pet insurance. For a small, regular payment pet insurance will enable you to choose the best treatment for your fur friend if they get sick or injured.
Our partner, Southern Cross Pet Insurance, offers 6 weeks of cover free for new kittens! Ask in-clinic or visit southerncrosspet.co.nz for terms & conditions and the right plan for you.
Petfirst Wellness
Want unlimited consultations and much more? Join Petfirst Wellness!
We’ll make it easy for you to keep them living their best life with our Petfirst Wellness membership. Petfirst Wellness bundles together preventative and
illness consultations and core vaccinations along with blood screening, dental, nutrition and parasite prevention benefits. So, it’s now easier and more affordable than ever to take the very best care of your pet.
Visit: petfirstwellness.co.nz or ask our team in-clinic for more information.
Their best life – at your fingertips
Register and manage your pet with mypetfirst.
You can book appointments online, order repeat prescriptions or nutrition, keep track of your reminders and more.
We get too few years with our pets. So, we want to make sure they're the best years possible. We're here to guide you and your pet through a lifetime of care to help your furry friend live longer and better.
So, you can get the most out of your lives together.
Petfirst - their best life.