Guiding You Through the Wonderful First Year with Expert Care and Friendly Advice
Congratulations on the new addition to your family! Bringing home a tiny, playful, purring kitten is one of life’s great joys. The world seems full of wonder as they chase, pounce, and curl up in the most unexpected places. These first few months are a magical time, and they’re also a critical window for laying the foundation for a long, healthy, and happy life.
At San Marcos Veterinary Clinic, we adore kittens, and we’re here to be your trusted partners on this exciting journey. We’ve developed a comprehensive kitten care program to take the guesswork out of these early stages, providing you with friendly advice and your new companion with the highest standard of veterinary care.
Your Kitten Care Plan: The First Vet Visit
We recommend scheduling your kitten’s first visit with us as soon as they’ve settled into your home. This initial appointment is much more than just a check-up; it’s a warm welcome to our practice. We’ll perform a gentle physical exam, listen to all your questions (there are no silly ones!), and create a personalized plan for the months ahead.
Our Comprehensive Kitten Care Package
The program at San Marcos Veterinary Clinic is designed as a series of visits to ensure your kitten gets everything they need to thrive. Each step is carefully timed to provide maximum protection and support as they grow. Our comprehensive plan offers essential services, including:
- A Full Series of Vaccinations: Just like human babies, kittens require a series of immunizations to build up their defenses against common and serious feline diseases. Our program includes the core FVRCP vaccine (to protect against feline distemper and contagious upper respiratory viruses), the Rabies vaccine, and the Feline Leukemia (FeLV) vaccine, crucial for kittens with potential outdoor access or multi-cat households.
- Feline Leukemia (FeLV) & FIV Testing: We strongly recommend testing every new kitten for Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). Knowing their status early is crucial for their long-term health management, especially in multi-cat households. Our plan includes this vital testing.
- Comprehensive Parasite Control: Kittens are very susceptible to intestinal parasites (worms), which can cause serious illness. Our program includes routine deworming. We will also get your kitten started on a safe, effective monthly preventative to protect them from fleas and heartworm disease, with a dose of flea prevention included.
- Microchipping: A microchip is a permanent form of identification, no bigger than a grain of rice. It’s a simple, safe procedure that gives you the best possible chance of being reunited with your cat if they ever get lost—a true ticket home. Our plan includes microchipping.
- Initial Fecal Exam: Our plan includes a fecal exam to check for common intestinal parasites.
- Three Office Visits for Wellness Exams: Your kitten will receive 3 comprehensive wellness exams, ensuring their healthy development.
Convenient Payment Options: Choose from a one-time payment or three convenient monthly payments for our kitten care program.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of our Kitten Care Plan:
| Services | Visit 1 | Visit 2 | Visit 3 |
| Health Exam
(A thorough exam by one of our friendly, knowledgeable doctors!) |
✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Vaccinations
|
✅ |
✅
✅ |
✅
✅ ✅ |
Testing
|
✅
✅ |
||
Parasite Prevention/Control
|
✅ ✅ |
✅ ✅ |
✅ ✅ |
Grooming
|
✅ |
Your Kitten Care Plan: Guidance for a Happy Life
Our support goes beyond medical care. We are your go-to resource for all your questions about raising a happy, well-adjusted cat. We love discussing:
- Nutrition: We can help you select the right food to fuel your kitten’s incredible growth spurts and support their development.
- Spaying & Neutering: We will discuss the ideal time to schedule this important procedure, which offers significant health benefits, prevents unwanted litters, and can reduce undesirable behaviors like spraying.
- Litter Box Habits & Socialization: We can offer tips and tricks for everything from successful litter box training to safely introducing your kitten to new people and environments.
Our Kitten Care Guide: Your Questions Answered (FAQs)
Bringing home a new kitten is exciting, and it’s natural to have a lot of questions! Here are some common queries pet owners have about caring for their newest family member:
How soon after I bring my kitten home should I schedule their first vet visit?
We recommend scheduling their first visit as soon as they’ve settled into your home, ideally within the first few days or week. This allows us to perform an initial health check, discuss their immediate needs, and start their personalized care plan.
Why are so many vaccinations necessary for kittens?
Kittens are highly vulnerable to common and serious feline diseases. A series of vaccinations, given at specific intervals, is crucial to build up their immune system and provide robust protection as they grow and explore their world. These boosters ensure long-lasting immunity.
What vaccinations are included in your kitten care program?
Our comprehensive program includes the core FVRCP vaccine (for feline distemper and upper respiratory viruses), the Rabies vaccine, and the Feline Leukemia (FeLV) vaccine. The FeLV vaccine is especially important for kittens with potential outdoor access or those in multi-cat households.
My kitten seems healthy. Do they still need to be tested for Feline Leukemia (FeLV) and FIV?
Yes, we strongly recommend testing all new kittens for FeLV and FIV, even if they appear healthy. These viruses can be silently carried and have serious long-term health implications. Knowing their status early allows for proper management and helps protect other cats in your household if you have them.
How often will my kitten need deworming?
Kittens are very susceptible to intestinal parasites. Our kitten care program includes routine deworming during their initial visits. We’ll also get them started on a monthly preventative that protects against fleas and heartworm, which typically includes protection against common intestinal worms, ensuring continuous protection.
What is microchipping, and why is it important?
A microchip is a tiny, permanent form of identification implanted safely under your kitten’s skin. It contains a unique ID number that can be scanned by veterinary clinics and shelters. If your cat ever gets lost, this microchip provides the best possible chance of being reunited with them, acting as a crucial “ticket home.”
When should I consider spaying or neutering my kitten?
We typically recommend spaying or neutering between 5 and 6 months of age, though the ideal timing can vary based on individual factors. This procedure offers significant health benefits, prevents unwanted litters, and can reduce undesirable behaviors such as spraying, roaming, and certain forms of aggression. We’ll discuss the best timing for your kitten during their wellness exams.
Q8: What kind of food should I feed my kitten?
Proper nutrition is vital for a kitten’s rapid growth and development. We can provide personalized recommendations based on your kitten’s age, breed, and health needs. We’ll discuss high-quality kitten-specific foods that provide the essential nutrients for their incredible growth spurts.
My kitten isn’t using the litter box consistently. What should I do?
Litter box issues can be frustrating, but they’re often resolvable. We can offer tips and tricks for successful litter box training, including advice on litter type, box placement, cleanliness, and addressing any underlying behavioral or medical causes. Don’t hesitate to ask us for guidance!
How can I safely introduce my kitten to other pets or children?
Proper socialization is key for a well-adjusted cat. We can provide strategies for gradual, positive introductions to new people, other pets, and environments to help your kitten feel secure and comfortable in their new home.
Let us help you get your new kitten started on the right paw. We look forward to every pounce, purr, and question along the way.
To enroll your new kitten in our care program or to schedule their first visit at San Marcos Veterinary Clinic, please call our welcoming team at (760) 744-5400 or connect with us through our contact form.
