Top Tips for Safe Cat Vaccination: What You Need to Kno

Before administering vaccinations, it's crucial to conduct a thorough health checkup for your cat.

Observe your kitten's wellbeing closely. If you notice signs of discomfort, such as a lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, coughing, or a lack of interest in play, these may indicate illness or the incubation period of a contagious disease. In such cases, it's important for owners to take their kitten to a veterinary clinic for vaccination. However, if the vet proceeds to vaccinate without first conducting a physical examination, the kitten may experience adverse reactions due to stress, which could exacerbate the illness or even lead to death. It is imperative that a vet performs a health check on the kitten before administering any vaccinations. Cats with high temperatures or weakness should not be vaccinated, as they may not respond well. It's best to wait until they recover to ensure the vaccine's effectiveness.

New kittens should not be vaccinated immediately upon arrival.

Especially for kittens newly acquired from markets, there's a risk of exposure to diseases. Therefore, it's not advisable to vaccinate them immediately. Vaccines typically contain weakened or inactivated viruses, and administering them to a kitten that is already infected can often lead to acute illness. In such cases, a preventive serum can be administered first, which usually provides immunity for about two weeks. After this period, the kitten's body has had time to adjust to the new environment, and it can then receive the necessary vaccinations.

Kittens under the age of vaccination should not be vaccinated.

Cats that are not yet of the age required for vaccination should not receive it. Generally, kittens should start receiving vaccinations after they are two months old. Kittens younger than this age still have antibodies from their mother's milk that have not yet fully waned. Vaccinating them at this stage can result in the vaccine being neutralized by the antibodies, rendering the vaccine ineffective. Always follow the vaccination schedule and age guidelines provided in the vaccine's instructions when administering vaccinations to your kitten.

Care for your kitten after vaccination.

After vaccination, avoid bathing your kitten and ensure they stay hydrated. Also, try to keep them indoors. Some kittens may exhibit signs of lethargy, excessive sleepiness, or loss of appetite after vaccination, which are usually normal and should resolve within 23 days. If your kitten shows no improvement after three days, it's important to consult a veterinarian to determine the cause.

Important dietary considerations for your cat:

As a responsible pet owner, it's essential to provide your cat with proper care. This includes ensuring they receive adequate nutrition to maintain their health.

Cats are active creatures and require a balanced diet to support their high energy levels and prevent diseases and weakness. Consider supplementing their diet with goat's milk powder, which can provide comprehensive nutrition, including calcium and zinc for bone health and selenium for tooth development, ensuring they receive the necessary nutrients for growth and overall wellbeing.