CAT INFORMATION SHEET

NUTRITION

To provide an adequate growth we advise a high quality commercial pet food.
Kittens can be weaned to cat food as from 30 to 40 days old. Ideally they should be fed a specific kitten food until they are 6-12 months old. As from then they should eat specific adult food.
You can feed your kitten dry food or tinned food, both are good options but dry food is easier and more practical as you can leave whatever has not been finished out, without worrying about it getting off.
Many cats like to eat small amounts of food several times a day but it is possible, if you want, to teach them to have 2-3 regular meals a day. Cats that live indoors have lower metabolic requirements and should be fed a low calorie commercial cat food to avoid your cat getting overweight.
Please ask us about the best available food for your cat.

INTESTINAL PARASITES (WORMS)

Young animals commonly have parasites and they need to be treated every 2 weeks until they are 3 months old. As adults the parasites come mainly from the fleas. We advise treating them every 3 months if your cat is outdoors and enjoys hunting, and twice yearly if your cat is strictly indoors.

FLEAS AND TICKS

These are common ectoparasites and can be responsible for a wide range of diseases in the cat.

Fleas; we recommend monthly treatments even if your cat is kept strictly indoors (winters in Ibiza are very mild, you will have to keep up the flea control all through the winter period). Fleas can be responsible for many skin disorders. There are several products on the market, Spot- on presentations are very easy to use. Remember that 90% of the fleas do not live on the animal but in the environment, if you are trying to control a flea infestation you will need to properly treat the environment.

Ticks; you will need to prevent tick infestations only if your cat has access outdoors. Ticks can be responsible for the transmission of very serious diseases. Spot-on formulations are the easiest to use, you only have to apply once a month.

DIROFILARIOSIS (HEART WORM)

Dirofilaria immitis is a parasite that can be found in the heart of affected cats and dogs. It is transmitted by a mosquito and the incidence in Ibiza is growing. Fortunately this can be prevented with appropriate treatment. Please consult us for more information.

MICROCHIP

Microchipping is a rapid and efficacious way of identifying your cat. It is a small chip that is inserted under the skin on the left side of the neck using a special injection device. When a microchip reader is passed over the neck of your cat a number will be displayed. This number is associated to your details in the central data base of the Balearics (Colegio Oficial de Veterinarios de las Islas Baleares). It is very important to keep your details updated and remember to notify us of any change in your telephone number or address (this is a free service).

VACCINES

Your kitten should not be allowed outdoors nor in contact with unvaccinated animals until he/she has received all his /her vaccines (usually as from 3 months old).We recommend vaccinations for:

*Feline panleucopenia, this viral disease is similar to the parvovirus in dogs. It is associated with acute onset of vomiting and bloody diarrhea.The course of the disease can be fatal.
The initial immunization starts when the kitten is 2 months old and they will require a booster when they are 3 months old. Annual reminders are necessary.

*Cat flu (feline rinotracheitis and feline calicivirus), viral disease that causes respiratory signs with ocular discharge, sneezing and conjunctivitis.
As with the feline panleucopenia the initial immunization starts when the kitten is 2 months old and they will require a booster when they are 3 months old. Annual reminders are necessary.

*Feline leukemia virus(FeLV), this is a very serious viral disease of the cats that can have multiple presentations. Kittens can have acquired this disease from the mother so we recommend testing all stray cats and those where we are not sure that the parents are disease free. If your kitten is infected and shows no signs of illness there is a small chance that he/she can recover from this disease. Those cats need to be kept strictly indoors in a one cat household to avoid infecting other animals. If your cat is not infected and is going to have access outdoors we recommend to correctly vaccinate them before they are allowed to have potential contact with other cats.

The vaccine can be administered as from when the kitten is 2 months old, it will need a booster 1 month after the first injection and then annual boosters are recommended.

*Rabies, in Spain there is no rabies. You will only have to vaccinate in case your cat is going to travel or if you wish to keep him/her in the PET scheme.

DENTAL HYGENE

Dental care is highly important and you should get your cat used to open his/her mouth. There is special toothpaste available. If you routinely brush your cat´s teeth we will be able to delay the onset of dental disease.
Please consult us for further information.

SPAY/NEUTER

Spay/neuter is a routine procedure that we recommend for all animals that are not going to be used for breeding. We will be preventing many diseases and also help control the population of unwanted/homeless animals on the island.
In cats this is the best way to reduce the risk of infection with feline immunodeficiency virus(FIV), this is a similar disease as human AIDS and infection is usually through cat fights.
It can be done at any age however we recommend to do it when they are about 6 months old, that is before the first heat in the bitch and queen, to prevent hormonal complications and old enough to reduce the anesthetic risk to a minimum.

CLAW MAINTENANCE
The claws are extremely important for your cat. They will need to daily sharpen their claws and this action helps them to keep their muscles toned. If your cat is going to be strictly indoors you will have to provide him/her with a scratching post. It is equally important to spend about 10 minutes daily playing with your cat, and always remember to rotate their toys to prevent boredom!
For more information about claw maintenance and environmental enrichment please consult us. We also have available some very interesting articles that you may want to read!.


Please do not hesitate to consult us for any further information you may require.