Choosing and Caring
for Your New Cat

In choosing a new kitten or cat, you should be careful to look for several things that indicate good health and temperament. First of all, the cat should have clear, bright eyes with little or no tearing, and the nostrils should be clean. Runny eyes, sneezing, or a nasal discharge can indicate a respiratory infection. The inside of the ears should be clean and free of any discharge. A black, tar-like discharge in the ear canal usually indicates an ear-mite infestation, while a pus-like discharge is often seen if there is a bacterial or yeast infection. The mouth and gums should be pink, with no evidence of ulcers or sores. The coat should be glossy, and there should be no bare spots, dry skin, dandruff, or any evidence of external parasites. The cat should not be too thin or have a protruding belly, since either condition can indicate the presence of internal parasites or some other medical disorder. If possible, make sure the cat has normal, well-formed feces.

The cat or kitten should be friendly and comfortable with people. A physically sound individual is active, bright, responsive, rambunctious, and eager to join in play. Beware of a cat that frequently runs and hides or sleeps more than normal.

Once a kitten has been weaned from its mother (usually at about 8 weeks of age), it is ready for adoption. Before accepting the new cat, a prospective owner should ask questions about vaccinations, nutrition, parasite control, and grooming.

Vaccinations

Cats and kittens need to be protected from deadly infectious feline diseases. If you acquire a new kitten, it is important to find out what vaccinations it has received and at what age. If you obtain an adult cat, you should inquire as to when it had its last booster vaccinations.

A kitten usually will receive a series of two to four vaccinations. The actual number varies depending on a number of variables, including the type of vaccine, the kitten's age at the first visit, whether its mother was vaccinated, and its risk of exposure.

Feline panleukopenia (also called feline distemper) is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease of cats. Until recent years, panleukopenia was the most serious infectious disease of cats, claiming the lives of thousands every year. Thanks to the highly effective vaccines currently available, panleukopenia is now considered to be an uncommon disease. However, because of the serious nature of the disease and the continued presence of virus in the environment, vaccination is highly recommended for all cats.

Feline calicivirus (FCV) and feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) are responsible for 80-90% of infectious feline upper respiratory tract diseases. Most cats are exposed to either or both of these viruses at some time in their lives. Once infected, many cats never completely rid themselves of virus. These "carrier" cats either continuously or intermittently shed the organisms for long periods of time—perhaps for life—and serve as a major source of infection to other cats. The currently available vaccines will minimize the severity of upper respiratory infections, although none will prevent disease in all situations. Vaccination is highly recommended for all cats.

In general, the first vaccinations to protect against panleukopenia and diseases caused by FCV and FHV-1 are given at six to eight weeks of age. Occasionally veterinarians will begin vaccination at an earlier age depending on the kitten's risk of exposure and amount of protection received from the mother. The vaccines are then "boosted" at three- to four-week intervals until the kitten is between twelve and sixteen weeks of age. Following this initial vaccination series, boosters will be given regularly to keep the cat protected.

Your cat should be vaccinated against rabies. The vaccine should be given at twelve weeks-of-age, then one year later. Thereafter, the vaccine should be given every one to three years, depending upon the vaccine type and local rabies vaccination requirements.

Feline pneumonitis, caused by a Chlamydia organism, is a mild to severe respiratory and eye disease. Chlamydia vaccines are available, often in combination with other vaccines. Although vaccination does not provide complete protection, it will reduce the severity of the disease.

Vaccines can help protect your cat against the feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection. Ideally, the cat should be tested prior to vaccination, since the vaccine will offer no protection to individuals already infected with the virus. FeLV vaccines should be given twice at three- to four-week intervals; kittens can begin the series when between eight and twelve weeks-of-age. Afterwards, your cat should receive regular re-vaccinations ("booster" vaccinations) against FeLV. Since FeLV vaccines will not protect all cats, your veterinarians will discuss additional ways to help prevent infection.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is caused by a coronavirus. The currently-available FIP vaccine is administered intranasally to cats at 16 weeks of age, with a booster in three to four weeks, and then yearly. Cats in multiple cat facilities have a much greater risk of developing FIP than most household cats. If used appropriately and in conjunction with proper management, the vaccine has been found helpful in reducing the incidence of FIP in certain multiple cat environments. If your cat resides in a high-risk environment, you should discuss the vaccine with your veterinarian.

Nutrition

What to feed, how much to feed, and how often to feed are common concerns of first-time cat owners. First, you should find out what the new cat has been eating. Even if you don't expect to stay with that diet, you should continue feeding it some of its old food as you gradually switch it to the new. Whether you feed dry, canned, or semimoist food, be sure to purchase a product that meets the standards established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), preferably by animal-feeding trials.

Internal Parasites

Parasites that infect the intestinal tract of cats can be worm-like organisms (e.g., roundworms, hookworms or tapeworms) or microscopic organisms called protozoa (e.g., Isospora, Toxoplasma, Giardia) Most intestinal parasites deprive the infected cat of important nutrition, causing weakness and susceptibility to viral or bacterial infections. Although initially infecting the intestinal tract, Toxoplasma organisms usually cause disease in other parts of the body. Therefore, keeping your cat free of parasites is important for its long-term health.

External Parasites

External parasites that infest cats include a variety of small to microscopic insects and arachnids that derive their nutrients from the cat's blood, tissue fluids, or skin cells. Fleas, ticks, lice, fly larvae and mites are external parasites that can be a source of much irritation to a cat. External parasites cause the most common skin disorders of cats and help transmit other diseases (e.g., bubonic plague, hemobartonella, Lyme disease, and perhaps cat-scratch disease). Common signs of external parasitism include intense itching, red crusty lesions or scaly skin. Your veterinarian can provide effective treatments and control methods for most feline external parasites.

General Grooming Hints

Grooming is much easier if you begin the procedure when your cat is still young. This way, the cat will grow to accept grooming as a pleasant routine rather than as a desperation-based chore. A good brush or a steel comb is a necessity for any cat owner. By brushing or combing your cat regularly, you can keep its hair coat clean, shiny, and sleek. Any loose fur removed during grooming will not wind up on the furniture, and your cat will have fewer problems with fur accumulating in the gastrointestinal tract. An extra benefit is that by regularly grooming your cat, you have an opportunity to examine the skin for parasites or disease.

Spaying or Neutering

Traditionally, cats have been spayed or neutered at six months of age or older. However, many veterinarians recommend performing the procedure at an earlier age to further insure against unwanted pregnancies.

In Sickness and in Health

A sick animal often has a dull and patchy hair coat, because the skin is one of the first systems to be affected by disease. Another sign of illness is a lack of appetite. Persistent and severe vomiting (with or without diarrhea) and prolonged diarrhea alone are sure signs of illness. Red, watery eyes, which may be accompanied by nasal discharge or sneezing, also can indicate problems. Straining to urinate, bloody urine, or frequent urination signify disease. Any swelling that appears rapidly or continues to increase in size over time is a cause for concern.