It is good to visit your vet as soon as possible after choosing your new kitten. You are also welcome to visit us before you collect them. We will always be delighted to see you and we will endeavour to clear up concerns that come to you in the first few days of getting used to your kitten. Most things we find at your kitten’s general health check are straight forward. Simple things like ear mites, fleas and other visitors are common findings and are easily treated. However, very occasionally this veterinary examination can reveal more serious health problems such as heart murmurs, mouth defects, retained testicles and hernias. Our team will help you understand if any problems detected during your general health check are serious or have any long-term implications for you and discuss appropriate treatment plan options.

We are always here to support and advise pet owners, so please feel free to ask us about anything pet related that you have questions or concerns about.

Many kittens, no matter how bright and healthy they appear, come with an invisible burden of worms. Worms are transferred across the placenta, through mum’s milk and in faeces. Worm eggs and larvae pose a threat to your family. On rare occasions they are responsible for serious conditions such as epilepsy and eye damage in young children, making regular preventative worming treatments a vital part of cat ownership from the day you acquire your kitten. If your vet identifies simple common parasites, such as ear mites, skin mites, worms or fleas, then this is easily dealt with. Eliminate parasites as soon as you acquire your kitten or at first vaccination. A parasite prevention plan should be started as soon as your kitten enters your home. Even adorable pets can come with unwelcome visitors or can quickly acquire them! It is wise to take an effective veterinary flea and parasite prevention product for your new kitten, even if it is clear of unwanted visitors. As soon as your kitten begins to socialise, it is at risk from picking up parasites.

We can supply you with an ideal treatment.

Vaccines start at nine weeks of age. If your kitten is nine weeks or older and in good health, you should book your first vaccination appointment and start your kitten’s vaccination course immediately. Your kitten’s second vaccination is given twenty one to twenty eight days after the first vaccination. Our reception staff will book your second appointment at the time of your first vaccination, two weeks after the second vaccination your kitten will be protected and can start exploring the outside world.

We recommend having your kitten microchipped before it is old enough to start going out. A microchip is roughly the size of a grain of rice and is inserted between the shoulder blades. If your pet gets lost at any time during their life, the microchip can be read by veterinary practices and rehoming centres so you and your pet can be reunited. Your kitten's second vaccination appointment is an ideal time to have the microchip inserted.

Our team will advise you on the best time to neuter your kitten. This is a commonly performed operation with a quick recovery time.

Reduces the risk of:

• Infectious viral diseases transmitted through fighting
• Spraying
• Fighting and aggression
• Unwanted pregnancy

We have produced a separate detailed guide to neutering that talks you through the whole procedure and its aftercare. It is easy to neuter your kitten and may be a great help to you and your pet.

Kittens are naturally curious and playful, so it is important to let them explore their new home and gradually introduce them to a wide variety of new sights, sounds and smells. They will quickly identify preferred places to relax, sleep and hide in (if they feel threatened), it is important to ensure that your kitten has access to these places, especially when introducing them to new things.

When introducing a kitten to new people or pets, let them make the approach in their own time and never force the issue. This will help them to grow into confident, friendly cats that feel safe in your home. It is not uncommon for cats in multi cat households to not get along with each other and we can help you to resolve or manage this, should you have this problem. 

Your kitten should be fully weaned by the time they are ready to join your family. Always ask what they have been fed and whenever possible stick to this for the first few days to reduce the risk of an upset stomach. Once settled in you can start to introduce a new food by gradually mixing an increased proportion into your kitten’s food over the next week. A good quality complete diet designed to meet the nutritional needs of kittens, supporting development and growth is ideal. This should be low in sugars and other ingredients with low nutritional values, to aid digestion. We are happy to recommend suitable diets.

We strongly believe that all clients and their pets benefit from a reliable pet insurance policy, covering injury and illness. Please ask a member of staff if you would like advice regarding selecting a policy provider, as general guidance we suggest that a “lifetime policy” gives your pet the ideal cover required. Insure your kitten as soon as you acquire it or at its first vaccination!

Find out more about the types of pet insurance and about making a claim.