🐾 Feline Preventive Medicine Recommendations
🐾 Quarantine any new pet until they can be examined by a veterinarian. Kitten schedules vary by age—ask our team if your new addition is older than 8 weeks.
🩺 Kitten Wellness Schedule
🐾 6–8 Weeks Old:
• First exam
• Leukemia and FIV tests
• First upper respiratory/distemper vaccine
• Stool sample/parasite screen
• Revolt applied (Monthly topical which protects against fleas, roundworms, hookworms, heartworm and ear mites)
🐾 12 Weeks Old:
• Second upper respiratory/distemper vaccine
• Rabies vaccine
• First leukemia vaccine (if outdoor risk)
• Revolt applied
🐾 16 Weeks Old:
• Third upper respiratory/distemper vaccine
• Second leukemia vaccine
🐾 1 Year Old:
• Annual exam
• Upper respiratory/distemper, rabies, and (if applicable) leukemia vaccines
😺 Adult Cat Vaccination
🐾 Ages 2–7: Per AAFP guidelines
• Distemper/upper respiratory vaccine every 3 years
• Rabies vaccine yearly
• Leukemia vaccine every 3 years if your cat goes outside
🧓 Senior Cats (8+ Years)
🐾 Vaccination protocols remain the same.
🐾 A senior profile is highly recommended to detect age-related disease early. Includes:
• CBC – Blood cells, infection, anemia, immune system
• Chemistry panel – Checks for diabetes and pancreatitis, kidney and liver function, and electrolyte levels
• Thyroid test – Detects hyperthyroidism
• Cardiac enzymes – Screens for heart disease
🐾 Exams recommended every 6 months to monitor changes
✂️ Spay/Neuter
🐾 Recommended at 6 months of age
• Prevents unwanted litters
• Reduces risk of breast, uterine, or testicular tumors
• Decreases behavior issues like spraying
🔬 Parasite Screening
🐾 Annual stool sample exam (even for indoor cats)
• Fresh sample (<24 hours old) is examined for worms and parasites
🪲 Flea Control
🐾 Preferred products:
• Revolt – Protects against fleas, heartworm, roundworms, hookworms, ear mites
• Advantage® – Flea protection only
🧪 Feline Leukemia & FIV
🐾 These viruses are immune-suppressive and fatal. No cure exists.
• All new cats should be tested before introduction to your home
• Outdoor cats should be vaccinated for protection
🥩 Feeding Recommendations
🐾 Preferred diets:
• Primarily canned food or commercially prepared raw/freeze-dried diets
Canned food:
• Meat flavors only (avoid seafood)
• Helps reduce urinary issues, obesity, diabetes risk, and improves coat
Raw/freeze dried:
• Commercial only – safer and balanced
• Freeze-dried can be rehydrated or fed dry as a snack
• Avoid homemade raw due to risk of salmonella
Dry food:
• ONLY if no other food is accepted
• Choose grain-free, single color, meat-first formulas
• Feed in limited amounts (Has a high calorie content and increases obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and UTIs)
Treats:
• Use sparingly – one treat = one Oreo for a cat!
• We recommend Greenies Dental Treats®
🚽 Litter Box Guidelines
🐾 Rule of thumb: one litter box per cat + one extra
• Some cats prefer to urinate and defecate in separate boxes
• Use unscented, scoopable litter
• Scoop daily
🐾 If the box is too dirty or hard to reach, your cat may choose inappropriate spots like a bed or rug.
🐾 A sudden change in litter habits may signal a medical issue (infection, crystals, stones)—consult your veterinarian.
Have questions about preventive care or your cat’s vaccine schedule?
We’re here to help—contact our feline-focused team:
📞 610-398-3556