Expert: Becky - 10/24/2006

Question
Hello, We were baby sitting my sister chihuahua and 6 week old kitten while she was away on vacation with her little 2 year old daughter(went to disney world for her birthday) and husband, she now says she cant take the kitten back because its a male er husband says no because they have four unspayed females lol. I've grown very fond of the little fellow while he has been here he was orginaly from an accidental litter of four the other of which she gave away she kept the little fluffy grey one because her daughter cryed after every kitten left she wanted to keep the grey one becaue he looks just like my other sisters cat smokey and hes just a big lazy cuddley fluff ball lol. So we'll keep the litle kittne here and little 'Emma can see him whenever she comes to visit. I have some questions i need help with, the family has had cats before but outdoor tom cats only this is a male kitten but I have already told my mother hes going to be an indoor cat and will be neutered when the time comes which she says is fine because who wants a cat thats outdoors all the time and come back beat up and bleeding anyways?

My questions are as follow:

1.Right now he is around 6 to 6 1/2 weeks old I was wondering when his vaccines should stat to be given? i am pretty poor at this time sowas hoping a few weeks from now.

1. Do kittens get three or four vaccines the first year?  I am a dog person I've got three dogs all raised from pups one is still only 6 months old and am familer with the puppy set of shots the wormers ect ect but never have done this to a cat before

3. wjht are the typical vaccines given to kittens or cats? dogs are parvo/distemper and rabies.

4. when should he be neutered? when will he start to spray?

5. Hes eating grocery store brand foods now like friskies/whiskers/fancy feast I am planning on putting his on hard and soft kitten food by Authority sold only at petsmart stores its got no byprodcuts in it and should mainly consist of chicken..i feed my dogs the dog food of this brand and they thrive very well on it and have healthy skin and coats.

6. Can a kitten or cat eat only hard foods I hate feeding soft foods because i know its horrible for there teeth my dogs get canned only every once in a while like once or twice a month and very little at that

7. I'm going to get a cat tree do cats like these do you think my kitty will use it?

8. Can you teach a cat not to jump into lizard cages lol he will mainly live in the lving room/kitchen area of teh house but will come intomy room soemtiems and I have two large lizard cages without lidsd9the lizards couldnt hurt the kitten and was wondering if the kitten will try get into the cages after the lizards?

9. how do you teach a kitten to like wearing a collar my dogs are always withtehre collars on with id tags I have a small light weight collar for the kitten with a bell but he removes it somehow I'd like to get anicer one later on with an id tag but it will be pointless if he wont keep it on.


10. And lastly he sort of smells bad I'd like to bath him how do ou wash a small kitten and dry him withouttoo much fuss? can I use Puppy shampoo as well?

thank you for your time i hope to hear from you soon.

Answer
Hi Tara!
Congrats on your new kitty!  There's nothing like haveing a kitten in the house, they are so much fun!  I'll answer your questions in the order you asked them, ok ?
1. He is ready to be vaccinated now.  If he is not outside and/or around other cats, then you will be ok to wait. Try to do it as soon as you can though.  
2. He will get a series of three vaccinations.  Each one should be three weeks apart.  
3. You can give a 3-in-1 that includes rhinotracheitis, calici-panaleukapenia (distemper).  Or you can add the Feline Leukemia vacc.
4. Most Vets will neuter at 6 months, some even younger. There is no definete time that I can say he will spray. I like to neuter them as soon as possible though.
5. I start kittens out on a mixture of a good dry kitten food, cottage cheese and canned cat food.  Once they are eating really good, I gradually take it down to just dry. There are some really good dry foods on the market, just check the labels. I like Purina ONE because I can buy it at any grocery store.
6. this is answered in the last reply
7. Your kitten will LOVE a cat tree.  I have one that goes from floor to ceiling and it is the best thing I ever bought my cats!!
8. Yes, your cat will try to get the lizards. Your best bet is to make sure the lids are secure.  Better yet, don't let the kitten in there.  I had some Iguanas once, and when I wasn't home, my cats were terrorizing them by jumping at the glass. It's not fair to the lizards.
9. The best way to "teach" a kitten to wear a collar is to put one on him. He will get used to it. But use the "breakaway" kind so he won't hang himself.  
10. You can bathe a kitten, just make sure you dry him really well.  The puppy shampoo should be fine. I would trim his nails first if I were you.  If you start him out young, you will be able to bathe him later too.

God Bless,
Becky