Is there a beneficial feeling than bringing home a brand - new kitten ? From your first meeting to those sweet first meows , there ’s so much to celebrate . And though it ’s easy to get lost in prettiness overload , there are some other key firsts to keep on your radiolocation — include a kitten first vet visit .
Though caring for your new kitten ’s wellness may not be quite as kitty cuddles , it is your most crucial problem as a pet parent . To get you started off on the good foot , here ’s a helpful guide cover everything you ask to sleep together about your kitten ’s first veterinarian fitting .
You ’ll learn everything from what to bear at the vet clinic to answer to common questions , like “ Whendokitties get their first slam ? ” Plus , we ’ll cover helpful checklists , safety tips , and more .
So keep reading and get quick to discover the tools you need to place your Modern kitty up for a life of good health !
When to Take Your Kitten to the Veterinarian
Some of the most common questions I get from new kat parents are about the timing of the first vet appointment for kitten . They ask me , “ When do kittens need to go to the vet ? ” and “ Should I bring kitten to vet the same day of espousal ? ” What may surprise you is that there ’s more than one correct solvent .
If youadoptfrom a shelter , I typically recommend a first vet appointment for kitten within 48 - 72 hour . The same goes for independent acceptance ( from a friend with a litter of unexampled kittens ) or taking a stray kitten into your home .
The elision to that linguistic rule is if you sweep up your kitten from a breeder who mould directly with a vet . This is often the case with purebred kittens , who may receive full vet exams just before adoption . In that case , the vet will put up a banker’s bill indicate when to take kitten to vet for a stick to - up exam or when vaccine are due .
That say , I never discourage new best-loved parent from scheduling a first sojourn as presently as they wish . Even if a kitten is n’t due for stroke or in demand of tutelage , it ’s a great chance to get familiarize . Ideally , the vet you select will help your kitten delight a tenacious and tidy life . It ’s never too other to start forge that relationship . Finding a kitten vet who ’s just the right-hand fit for your felid can be a bit intimidating . give-and-take - of - mouth referral are a great plaza to take off , as is using a swear tool like theGreatPetCare Vet Finder , to discover highly - rat veterinary surgeon near you .
Kitten First Vet Visit: How to Prepare
OK , so you brought your novel kitten abode : chequer . You ’ve schedule your first exam : Check ! Now what ?
The first few days at home with a young kittencan be fairly chaotic . But do n’t countenance your kitten ’s endearing antics overshadow the line at hired hand . As a pet parent , there are two significant measure you may takebeforeyour first vet visit to ensure it ’s a achiever .
Help your kitten feel safe in carrier
Remember , everything is new to your kitty . And newfangled experience — like travel and vet visits — could easilyoverwhelm your new positron emission tomography .
One way to help ease your kitten’sanxietyis to supply them with a safe space . So it ’s crucial to start out helping them shape positive associations with their cat aircraft carrier on day one .
set about by choosing a safe Arabian tea carrier with a good crash mental testing guard valuation . It ’s also a skilful idea to find a carrier that ’s appealing enough to leave out in your home , like a piece of furniture . contribute a comfy mantle to the carrier and keep the room access open , so it ’s an invite piazza for your kitty to research . Whenever they enter the bearer , provide some yummy kickshaw as a positively charged reinforcement .
When it ’s time to head to the vet , place a tetraiodothyronine - shirt or stuff fauna inside the carrier for aroma familiarity , warmth , and snuggle security . Finally , spray a calming pheromone spray on the mantle and around the carrier can serve shorten anxiety .
Gather paperwork and samples
Unfortunately , transporting your kitten safely to their first ex-serviceman visit is only half the challenge facing new favorite parents . To avoid a last - moment scramble as you head out the room access , conglomerate as much as you could ahead of metre .
Here ’s an easy new kitten vet checklist you may use :
What to Expect at First Vet Visit for Kitchen
Most kitten firsts are pretty exciting , but it ’s normal to feel a little nervous about your positron emission tomography ’s first vet sojourn , too . However , know what to await can make the experience easy on both you and your furred ally .
Most kitten veteran appointment usually last between 30 to 60 minutes and let in five key steps :
Getting to know your kitten
Just like human doctor visit , your kitten ’s first ex-serviceman sojourn starts with chronicle taking and a forcible test .
First , the vet or vet tech will ask you some questions about your kitten ’s history . matter typically include where they came from , what they eat , and how they ’ve been doing so far .
They ’ll also check vital signal like pulsation and breathing , and maybe even take their temperature . ( Do n’t worry , it ’s spry ! ) Then , the veterinary will do a full nozzle - to - tail exam to check that your kitten is good for you .
Nutrition and behavior basics
Next issue forth a discussion about nutrient and deportment . Your vet will provide nutrition recommendation , including types of dieting and how to feed a kitty . They ’ll also babble out about normal kitten habits — like scratch and litter box use — as well as abnormal behaviors to watch out for . This is so you have a go at it what to expect and how to handle any quirks .
Socialization and spay/neuter talk
Kittens are like fiddling poriferan , eager to soak up new experiences . However , it ’s important to do so safely . Here ’s where your vet will offersocialization tips , including how to introduce your kitten to multitude , pets , and position in a positive way .
If your kitty is n’t already neuter or spay , this is also when you ’ll hear about the benefits of the procedure . Your veterinarian will also talk about the options available and when , ideally , it should fall out .
Vaccinations, deworming, and microchipping
Before this point , your exam will in all probability be mostly discussion . Now comes the most active ( and often most anxiety - rush ) part of the exam . But , do n’t interest . Vets are well aim to ease your pet ’s reverence … as well as your own !
Here ’s what to wait :
Planning for the future
Before you go away , your veterinary will go over what ’s next . This may include a discussion on the optimal kitten vet agenda , when to bring a kitten to the vet for your next follow - up , and what to expect as your kitten grows up .
This is also a capital time to talk with your vet about pet health care costs . Keeping your kitten happy and healthyrequires some financial investment . However , discussing choice like favorite health insurance and wellness savings accounts early on can facilitate you plan for the hereafter .
Speaking of financial planning , a usual question I get is , “ How much are veterinarian visits for kittens ? ” The cost of a first vet sojourn will motley calculate on the region of the land . However , the average cost typically rate from $ 75 to $ 350 per visit if deworming , vaccination , leech bar , and microchipping are performed .
Questions to Ask at a New Kitten Vet Visit
Have you ever refund home from a medico ’s sojourn only to call up all the doubt you intend to take ? To deflect that scenario with your vet , here ’s a starter list of helpful head to ask your vet during a kitten first vet visit :
Post-Visit: Reminders for New Pet Parents
last your first veterinary visit with a new kitten is cause for celebration ! However , caring for your pet ’s health is never a one - and - done scenario . For your kitten to thrive , you ’ll take to fashion a strong on-going relationship with your veterinary team .
Here are a few thing to keep in mind post - visit , to provide the best care for your kitty :
Your veterinary team wants to build a strong relationship with you and your kitten . With some teamwork and preparation , veterinarian appointments for kittens do n’t have to be nerve-wracking . work intimately with your veterinarian helps lay the fundament for a foresighted , sizeable life for your cat , and years of favorite - parent bonding for you and your feline friend !
