Essential Cat Care: Deworming & Vaccination for Beginne

Part 1: The Proper Steps to Welcome a Cat into Your Home

1. Initial Health Check: Whether you've adopted a stray cat or purchased one from a pet store or online, it's crucial to take your new feline friend to a veterinarian for a basic health examination right away. This is to ensure that your cat is free from parasites, skin diseases, and viral infections. Pay special attention to highly dangerous and contagious diseases like feline distemper and feline rhinotracheitis, which can be lifethreatening. Early detection and treatment are essential.

2. Important Reminder: Be cautious of sellers who may mislead you into believing that the cat has been dewormed and vaccinated, when in fact, this may not be the case. It's always best to conduct necessary checks.

3. Preparation of Supplies: As a pet parent, you should prepare essential items like cat food, bowls, water bowls, litter, litter boxes, and scratching posts in advance. Additionally, you'll need to purchase grooming tools such as a brush, nail clippers, a lint roller, and an Elizabethan collar.

4. What to Expect Upon Arrival:

Before your cat arrives, thoroughly clean and disinfect your home, especially areas like sofa cushions, under the bed, and the top of cabinets, as these will be frequented by your cat and could harbor bacteria.

It's normal for a cat to feel stressed upon arrival and may hide or not eat much. Avoid excessive interference or forced feeding, as this could lead to stress.

Cats may try to escape, so ensure windows are sealed.

If you have other pets at home, it's advisable to keep your new cat separate initially, allowing them time to adjust and get to know each other.

Part 2: Deworming and Vaccinations for Cats

External Deworming: Regardless of whether your cat goes outside often, it's recommended to deworm externally once a month.

Internal Deworming: For cats aged 3 months to 1 year, deworming should be done monthly. Cats over 1 year old can be dewormed every three months.

Vaccinations: Cats can start receiving vaccinations at 3 months of age. Typically, they will need the FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia) and rabies vaccines. The FVRCP vaccine is administered in a series of three doses, with each dose given 21 to 28 days apart, followed by a booster shot every 11 months.

For new cat owners, this covers some key points. If you have any further questions or concerns, don't hesitate to consult an online veterinary expert!