Patient center
Welcome to your new kitten.
Welcoming a new kitty home is an exciting time. To ensure your kitten gets the best start, provide a cozy sleeping area, a balanced diet, regular healthcare, and plenty of playtime.
Vaccines for new kittens
Vaccinations are essential for protecting your young cat from serious diseases.
FVRCP vaccine
A combination vaccine administered in 2–4 doses that protects against viral upper respiratory infections and gastrointestinal diseases common in young cats.
FeLV vaccine (feline leukemia virus)
Protects against a potentially life-threatening virus spread through blood and saliva. Indoor-only kittens may not need this vaccine — talk to our veterinarians about your kitten's lifestyle.
Rabies vaccine
Required by California law for kittens over 16 weeks of age due to public health concerns.
Vaccine reactions
Kittens may experience sleepiness, soreness, or a low-grade fever after vaccination. We use what we consider the safest vaccines available, though there is a slight risk of vaccine-related tumors.
Additional care
Flea prevention
Revolution (for kittens over 6 weeks) is a topical treatment that kills fleas, some ticks, and internal parasites.
Fecal exam
A microscopic stool sample evaluation is critical to identify intestinal parasites, some of which can transmit to humans.
Diet
Feed kittens a balanced, commercially available diet until one year old. Meal feeding is recommended to prevent obesity. Raw and grain-free diets are not currently recommended.
Toxins to avoid
Radiator fluid, lilies, garlic, onions, grapes, and raisins are extremely toxic to cats. Keep them out of reach.
Spay and neuter
We recommend sterilization at 5–6 months of age to prevent spraying/marking behaviors and support responsible pet population control.
Questions about your kitten?
Every kitten is different. Our veterinarians can build a vaccination, nutrition, and prevention plan tailored to your kitten’s lifestyle.