Do all kittens have worms?
Intestinal parasites are very common in kittens. Kittens can become infected with parasites almost as soon as they are born since one of the most common sources of roundworm infection in kittens is the mother’s milk.
A microscopic examination of a stool sample will usually detect the presence of intestinal parasites. This test, which detects the presence of worm eggs, should be performed on a stool sample from every kitten. Many veterinarians will routinely treat kittens with a broad-spectrum deworming product that is safe and effective against almost all of the common worms of the cat. These products must be repeated once or twice during three to four weeks because they only kill adult worms. Most intestinal worms take three to four weeks for maturation from their larval stages into adults. Cats remain susceptible to reinfection with hookworms and roundworms. Periodic deworming throughout the cat’s life is recommended for cats that go outdoors.
Tapeworms are one of the most common intestinal parasites of cats. Kittens usually become infected with tapeworms when they swallow fleas. The eggs of the tapeworm live inside the flea. The flea is digested within the cat’s intestine. The tapeworm then hatches and anchors itself to the intestinal lining. Each exposure to fleas may result in a new infection, which can occur in as little as two weeks. Cats may also get a tapeworm infection by eating mice or birds; the life cycle of these tapeworm species is similar to that of the flea tapeworm.
Cats infected with tapeworms will pass small segments of the worms on their stool. The segments are white in color and look like grains of rice. They are about 1/8 inch long and may be seen crawling on the surface of the stool. They may also stick to the hair under the tail. If that occurs, they will dry out, shrink to about half their size, and become pale yellow in color.
Tapeworm segments do not pass every day or in every stool sample; therefore, inspection of several consecutive bowel movements may be needed to find them. We may examine a stool sample in our office and not find them, and then you may find them the next day. If you find them at any time, please notify us so we may provide the appropriate drug for treatment. Ideally, you should bring in the worm segments so that we can identify them. There is zoonotic potential with some of these parasites.
What are ear mites?
Ear mites are tiny insect-like parasites that live in the ear canal of cats and dogs. The most common sign of ear mite infestation is scratching of the ears. Sometimes the ears will appear dirty because of a black material in the ear canal; this material is sometimes shaken out. A simple microscopic exam of ear wax can allow us to diagnose and treat ear mites. Although ear mites may leave the ear canals for short periods of time, they spend the vast majority of their lives within the protection of the ear canal. Transmission generally requires direct ear-to-ear contact. Ear mites are common in litters of kittens if their mother has ear mites.
There are lots of choices of cat foods. What should I feed my kitten?
Diet is extremely important for growth, and there are two important criteria that should be met in selecting food for your kitten. We recommend a NAME-BRAND FOOD made by a national cat food company (not a generic brand), and a form of food MADE FOR KITTENS. This should be fed until your kitten is about twelve months of age. We recommend that you only buy food that has been certified by an independent organization as complete and balanced. In the United States, you should look for food that has been certified by AAFCO, an independent organization that oversees the entire pet food industry. It does not endorse any particular food, but it will certify that the food has met the minimum requirements for nutrition. In Canada, look for foods approved by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA).
Cat foods are available in dry, canned, and semi-moist formulations. Dry food is preferred and should have a label that states that the food is nutritionally complete to meet the needs of growth and development.
Table foods are not recommended. Because they are generally very tasty, cats will often begin to hold out for these and not eat their well-balanced cat food. We enjoy a variety of things to eat in our diet. However, most cats actually prefer not to change from one food to another unless they are trained to do so by the way you feed them. Do not feel guilty if your cat is happy to just eat one food day after day, week after week.
Commercials for cat food can be very misleading. If you watch carefully you will notice that commercials promote cat food on one basis; TASTE. Nutrition is rarely mentioned. Most of the “gourmet” foods are marketed to appeal to owners who want the best for their cats; however, they do not offer the cat any nutritional advantage over a good quality dry food, and they are far more expensive. If you read the label of many of the gourmet foods, you will notice that they do not claim to be “complete and balanced”. If your cat eats gourmet food very long, it will probably not be happy with other foods and may develop nutritional deficiencies. If it needs a special diet due to a health problem later in life, it is very unlikely to accept it. Therefore, we do not encourage feeding gourmet cat foods. It is also good practice to avoid foods that contain dye/coloring.
We will provide you with specific diet recommendations that will help your kitten develop into a healthy adult cat.
What can be done about fleas on my kitten?
Fleas do not spend their entire life cycle on your kitten. Occasionally, they will jump off and seek another host. Therefore, it is important to kill fleas on your new kitten before they can become established in your house. Many of the flea control products that are safe on adult cats are unsafe to use on kittens less than four months of age. Be sure that any flea product you use is labelled safe for kittens.
If you use flea spray, your kitten should be sprayed lightly. Flea and tick dip is not recommended for kittens or cats. Remember, NOT ALL insecticides that can be used on dogs are safe for cats and kittens.
There are several flea control products that are administered once per month, and which are safe for use on kittens as young as six weeks. The most effective products are available only by veterinary prescription. We will be happy to discuss the various products that are available and help you choose the most appropriate program for your kitten.
Why should I have my female cat spayed?
The correct term for spaying is ovariohysterectomy and refers to the complete removal of the uterus and the ovaries. Spaying offers several advantages.
The female’s heat periods, which usually begin at five to six months of age, occur every two to three weeks unless she is bred. She will be receptive, or “in heat” for part of this time each cycle. Mating behavior in female cats can be annoying, and neighborhood male cats may be attracted from blocks away, fighting or marking their territory outside your house while she is in heat. In many cases, the urge to mate is so strong that your indoor cat will attempt to escape outdoors to breed. Despite your best efforts, it is very likely that your cat will become pregnant. Spaying prevents unplanned litters of kittens. It has been proven that as the female cat gets older, she will have a significant risk of developing breast cancer or a uterine infection called pyometra if she has not been spayed. Spaying before she has any heat cycles will virtually eliminate the chances of developing breast cancer. If you do not plan to breed your cat, we strongly recommend that she be spayed before her first heat period.
The minimum age for the spay procedure is 6 months. Recent studies have shown the benefits of waiting longer and allowing your pet to fully mature prior to having this procedure down. This helps lower the chance of joint disease as your pet ages. Keep in mind that she may go through a heat cycle prior to being fully grown. If you have questions about when to have your pet spayed please feel free to contact our veterinarians for a consultation so we can decide what is best for you and your pet.
Why should I have my male cat castrated/neutered?
Neutering or castration refers to the complete removal of both testicles in a male cat. Neutering offers several advantages.
Male cats go through a significant personality change when they mature. They become very possessive of their territory and mark it with their urine to ward off other cats. The tomcat’s urine develops a very strong odor that will be almost impossible to remove from your house. They also try to constantly enlarge their territory, which means they will fight continually with other male cats in the neighborhood. Catfighting results in severe infections and abscesses in cats and makes for conflict with neighbors. If he should begin to spray his urine before that time, he should be neutered immediately. The longer he sprays or fights, the less likely neutering is to stop it.
The minimum age for the neutering procedure is 6 months. Recent studies have shown the benefits of waiting longer and allowing your pet to fully mature prior to having this procedure down. This helps lower the chance of joint disease as your pet ages. Keep in mind that he may become sexually active prior to being fully grown. If you have questions about when to have your pet neutered please feel free to contact our veterinarians for a consultation so we can decide what is best for you and your pet.
These care standards help us provide a safe, organized, and respectful veterinary experience for every pet and family we serve. By setting clear expectations for appointments, safety, vaccinations, and payment, we can focus on what matters most — delivering exceptional care and support for your companion.