Bringing Your New Cat Home – Things You Need to Know
First of all, whether you adopt a kitten or buy from a breeder, it is advisable to take the kitten to the vet for a basic health check within 24-48 hours after arriving home. The vet will perform a basic physical examination, listen for any heart murmurs, and check if the weight, temperature, and size are within normal ranges. This helps to detect and treat any potential skin or infectious diseases promptly.
Bringing Your New Cat Home – Things You Need to Know
Adapting to the Environment and Resident Pets
Before bringing the kitten home, we recommend preparing Feliway, either in diffuser or spray form. Feliway helps to calm and settle the kitten, aiding in a smoother adjustment to the new environment. If there are resident pets, you can use Feliway Friends.
The diffuser should be set up a few days in advance in a smaller, enclosed room. In the case of resident pets, it is also advisable to initially keep the kitten separated, allowing them to become familiar with each other’s scents before gradual introductions.
Microchipping Registration
The Australian government requires all cats and dogs to be microchipped so that if they get lost, veterinarians or pet hospitals can find you through the registered information. Most breeders include the first vaccination and microchipping, but you need to ensure that the kitten’s information is under the new owner.
To complete the microchipping registration process, you will need to contact the council and pay a registration fee (separate from the microchipping cost). You can search for “pet registry” online, and those with Australian driver’s licenses can complete the registration process online.
Vaccinations and Deworming
The first three vaccinations for kittens are crucial in establishing their immune system and should be administered on time. Kittens typically receive their first vaccination at 6-8 weeks, the second one at 12 weeks, and the third one at 16 weeks.
Deworming mainly targets the common parasites in Sydney:
- Fleas
- Paralysis ticks
- Lungworms
- Tapeworms
- Non-tapeworm intestinal worms
Usually, when you bring the kitten home, they are already around 8 weeks old. So, from 8 weeks (2 months) to 6 months old:
- Give Milbemax tablets once a month
- Apply Advocate/Revolution spot-on treatment once a month
According to RSPCA statistics, on average, the cost of keeping a cat in the first year is $1,000-$2,500, and each subsequent year requires at least $720. These costs are based on the assumption that your cat is in good health. If there are unexpected illnesses or accidents, the expenses will be higher.
It is advisable to ensure that you are financially and emotionally prepared before deciding to adopt a cat.