Your kitten’s first veterinary visit should be around 8 weeks of age. During this visit, we’ll:
Perform a full physical exam
Screen for internal parasites (bring a fresh stool sample)
Begin core vaccinations
Start a deworming protocol
Discuss nutrition, microchipping, and spay/neuter plans
Pro Tip: Bring along any records or information from your breeder, shelter, or previous caretaker (if available).
Staying on track with vaccinations is essential to protect your kitten and others. Here’s a general timeline:
| Age | Vaccines / Notes |
|---|---|
| About 8 weeks | First FVRCP vaccine |
| Every 3–4 weeks until 16 weeks | Boosters for FVRCP |
| About 12 weeks | FeLV vaccination after FeLV/FIV testing |
| 12 weeks or later | Rabies vaccine |
| About 1 year after kitten series | Annual boosters |
We’ll customize this schedule based on your kitten’s health, environment, and risk factors. Delaying or missing boosters may require restarting the series.
Vaccinations protect kittens from serious illnesses like panleukopenia, feline herpesvirus, calicivirus, leukemia, and rabies. These are typically given in a series starting around eight weeks and continuing every few weeks until about sixteen weeks of age. Keeping up with this schedule is essential to building strong immunity.
We also begin parasite prevention early—kittens can be vulnerable to worms, fleas, and even heartworms depending on lifestyle and environment. We’ll recommend safe, kitten-appropriate preventatives and walk you through how and when to use them.
Spaying or neutering isn’t just about preventing litters—it helps reduce the risk of certain diseases and can improve behavior. We generally recommend this procedure between five and six months of age, though the exact timing may vary based on breed and health. We'll work with you to choose the best time for your kitten.
Kittens grow quickly, and their nutritional needs are different from adult cats. A high-quality diet made specifically for kittens is best, and we’ll help you select the right food and feeding schedule. Kittens tend to do well with both wet and dry food options, and it’s important to make sure they always have fresh water available.
Even though your kitten may groom themselves, regular brushing gets them used to being handled and helps keep their coat healthy. We also recommend introducing dental care early—brushing their teeth with kitten-safe toothpaste can go a long way toward preventing dental issues later on.
Most kittens learn to use the litter box quickly, especially if they were with their mother early on. Still, it's important to give them a quiet, private spot with a clean box. We’ll help you troubleshoot any issues if they arise, whether that’s avoiding certain textures or needing more than one box in the house.
Kittens are naturally curious and active, and early playtime is crucial for development. Using toys—not hands or feet—helps them build healthy play habits. You can also start gently introducing them to new people and pets once they feel comfortable in your home. Gradual exposure helps build confidence and trust.
Traveling with your kitten (even just to the vet) is also something they can get used to. Leaving the carrier out as part of their environment—maybe even placing a cozy blanket inside—can make trips less stressful.