Registering your cat with a vet
Do I need to register my cat with a vet?
When you get a new cat, you should register with a local veterinary practice straight away. Make an appointment as soon as you can for a check-up. Your vet can then devise a care programme for your cat. Write a list of the questions you want to ask, so everything can be covered.
Vaccinations
Should I get my cat vaccinated?
Yes. Vaccination protects your cat against various diseases which can cause pain, distress and are often fatal.
By vaccinating your cat you have peace of mind, knowing that you have provided protection. As well as safeguarding your own pet, it also prevents diseases from being passed onto other animals.
What are vaccines?
Vaccines contain a harmless form of the virus or bacterium that causes a particular disease. They work by stimulating the body’s immune system in a safe way. If the cat then actually comes into contact with the disease, the immune system ‘remembers’ what it did to deal with the vaccine, so can fight the disease. This protects the cat.
When should I get my kitten or cat vaccinated?
Pets should receive a ‘primary’ vaccination course early in life, followed by ‘booster’ vaccinations throughout their life.
The primary vaccination course for cats varies with the type of vaccine used. The first vaccine can sometimes be given as young as nine weeks of age, with the second usually given three to four weeks later.
Booster vaccinations are needed because the body’s immune response gradually fades over time. They are often given every year, depending on the vaccine.
Ask your vet when it is best to vaccinate your kitten or cat.
When can my kitten start to meet other animals?
Kittens should be vaccinated before they mix with other animals. It is essential for their normal development that they are allowed to socialise with other animals while they are very young, so you should get them vaccinated as soon as possible. Ask your vet when they can start meeting other animals and begin to socialise them as soon as it’s safe to do so.
Which diseases do vaccines protect against?
- cat flu
- feline chlamydia
- feline infectious enteritis
- feline leukaemia virus
Parasites – fleas and worms
Do I need to treat my cat regularly for fleas and worms?
Yes. Cats should be given regular treatments to prevent them from suffering from fleas and worms. Worms can also be harmful to cat owners, which is another reason why it’s important to prevent them. Ask your vet for advice about which products to use and how often to use them.
Should I use flea and worm treatments bought from the pet shop?
‘Over-the-counter’ flea and worm treatments bought from pet shops and supermarkets may not be as safe or effective as those from veterinary practices. Your vet will be able to advise you about which products work and which ones don’t.
NEVER use a dog flea treatment on cats, as this can be fatal.
How do I know if my cat’s got fleas?
Fleas can cause itching, chewing and licking. The skin may become red and inflamed. You might see fleas on your cat (though this is quite uncommon), or you might see small dark flecks (flea ‘dirt’) in the fur and on the skin. If you notice any of these signs, take your cat to see your vet. As well as causing severe skin irritation, fleas play a vital part in the tapeworm’s life cycle.
I think my cat’s got fleas – what should I do?
You should take your cat to your vet. If your cat has fleas it’s important to treat the house, your cat and all other pets in the household. Your vet can recommend safe and effective products to use. The house should be treated with an effective household spray after vacuuming, because flea larvae and eggs live off the animal, in places like carpets and rugs. Particular attention should be paid to areas where your cat spends time, as well as warm areas such as near to radiators.
As well as thinking about fleas, it is important to follow the worming regime recommended by your vet.
You can also download your own copy of our Fleas leaflet.
Neutering
What is neutering?
Neutering is an operation carried out by a vet. In male animals, the testicles are removed – this is called ‘castration’. In female animals, the ovaries and the uterus (womb) are removed – this is called ‘spaying’.
What are the benefits of neutering?
There are hundreds of thousands of unwanted animals in need of homes. Neutering stops animals from adding to this problem by having unwanted litters.
It also reduces the risk of our pets developing some serious diseases. This can help them live longer and enjoy a better quality of life.
Spaying female cats
Should I get my female cat neutered (spayed)?
Spaying stops your cat from having unwanted kittens and stops her from developing cancer of the ovaries or uterus. It also stops her from coming into ‘heat’ frequently which may be upsetting for her.
When is the best time to get my female cat neutered (spayed)?
The operation is often done at around five to six months of age, but can safely be done when your cat is younger or older. Ask your vet when the best time is for your cat.
Should my female cat have a litter before she’s neutered (spayed)?
There’s no benefit to your cat, and by delaying getting her spayed you increase her risk of having an unwanted litter.
Castrating male cats
Should I get my male cat neutered (castrated)?
Castrating your cat prevents him from fathering unwanted kittens when he’s away from your house. It also makes him less likely to fight, so reduces his chances of getting feline AIDS (FIV) (which is spread by bites).
Castration also makes your cat less likely to roam, which can reduce his chances of getting hit by a car, and he is less likely to spray urine in the house.
When is the best time to get my male cat neutered (castrated)?
The operation is often done at five to six months of age, but can safely be done when a cat is younger or older. Ask your vet when the best time is for your cat.
Healthcare
How do I know if my cat is ill?
You should check your cat each day for any signs of illness. These might include the following:
- Sickness or diarrhoea
- Significant weight change (in either direction) over a short period
- Loss of appetite
- Drinking much more or less than normal
- Lack of energy/sleeping more than usual
- Unusual swellings
- Skin conditions
- Limping
- Coughing
- Unusual bleeding
- Signs of pain, such as sensitivity to touch
- Runny eyes or nose
There could be other signs of illness, not on this list, and any change in your cat’s behaviour should alert you to the possibility of illness.
What should I do if I think my cat is ill?
If you are worried about the health of your cat it is always best to contact your local veterinary practice.
Pet Insurance
Should I take out pet insurance?
While most cat owners will have considered routine costs, such as vaccinations and worming, it is the out-of-the-ordinary expenses that you may not be prepared for. The treatment associated with a road accident can run into thousands of pounds. Many cat owners now take out pet insurance, which helps you budget for the unexpected. There are plenty of organisations around that offer this, including PDSA's own Pet Insurance, so shop around for the best policy for you.
Grooming
Do I need to groom my cat?
All cats need regular grooming, but long-haired cats need more coat care than short-haired cats.
How often should I groom my cat?
A long-haired cat should be combed and brushed once a day while a cat with short hair will usually only need brushing twice a week. Get a brush and comb that are suited to the hair type of your cat.
The role of cats’ whiskers
A cat’s whiskers are a very important part of its senses and are a very delicate sense organ. The areas where the whiskers emerge are very sensitive and the stiffness of the hairs lets the sensitive area interpret their surroundings. The base of each whisker is connected to an extremely sensitive clump of nerves that detect minute movements. In this way cats can often sense objects (mice, rats, etc) moving around them. They also help them move around in the dark without bumping into things and allow the cat to judge distances and space.
Whiskers tend to stick out as far as the widest part of the cat's body but the length of the whiskers is genetically predetermined, so if a cat becomes fatter, they will lose the distance judging function, but obviously will still detect air movement and vibrations. When a cat is trying to escape from a predator and looking for an appropriate hole to dive into, the cat can sense whether the hole is large enough simply by sticking its nose into the opening. If the cat can get its whiskers into the hole without them touching on both sides then it knows the hole is wide enough for the body to fit in as well.
Old whiskers will fall out to make room for new replacements. The replacements must grow to full size so they will be shorter until they are fully grown. There is also the genetic variation from one cat to the next. Fortunately, whiskers in normal healthy cats do grow back within a few weeks.
Microchipping
Should I get my cat microchipped?
PDSA vets strongly recommend microchipping, which increases the chances of a cat being reunited with the owner, should they become separated.
What is a microchip and how does it reunite cats with their owners?
A microchip is a tiny radio chip, about the size of a grain of rice, injected under the skin between the shoulder blades. Missing cats when found can be scanned and the chip can be read. It contains a unique identification number, logged on a national database, which can be matched against your contact details. The chip is made of non-reactive material so doesn’t cause any problems sitting beneath the skin throughout your cat’s life.
There are 3 links on this page which are in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. In order to view them you will need the free
Acrobat Reader
software installed on your computer.
Share this page via your mobile phone:
