Mary Allen
The immune system of baby cats is not yet as strong as that of adult cats. Kittens are therefore particularly susceptible to certain diseases. Read here what these are and how to protect your kitten from them.
No matter how nice the new home may be, your kitten will feel stressed about the transition at first. This stress, combined with the kitten’s immature immune system and delicate constitution, can lead to health problems.
Digestive problems in kittens
In the first few weeks and months of life, cats’ digestive systems are still very sensitive and often react more strongly to new things. For example, diarrhea can occur more easily if your kitten eats a new food.
It is very important that the move does not include a change of diet. For the first few weeks, feed your kitten only their usual diet and also follow the breeder’s feeding recommendations (time, amount, etc.). If you later decide to switch the kitten to a different diet, do this gradually, mixing the new food into the old in increasing proportions. A sudden switch could lead to diarrhea, vomiting, and refusal to eat.
When the baby cat doesn’t eat
If your kitten is refusing food, it may be due to the stress of moving into a new home, especially in the early stages. However, a kitten should not go longer than 24 hours without food. In such a case, consult a veterinarian. Inflammation or intestinal problems may be behind it. If your kitten refuses to eat harder kibble, it could also be due to the change of teeth. The wrong bowl can also lead to food refusal.
When does the kitten have to go to the vet?
Vomiting, diarrhea, or temporary food refusal are usually harmless in baby cats. In the worst case, these digestive disorders can also be life-threatening because the baby cats do not yet have sufficient energy reserves. In addition, the small bodies dry out quickly when they lose fluids.
You should go to the vet if diarrhea, vomiting, or refusal to eat last longer, recur noticeably often or other symptoms of the disease appear. Alarm signals are also diarrhea or vomiting with blood.
If your kitten has persistent or intermittent diarrhea, Giardia could also be the cause. These are parasites that cause diarrhea, especially in young cats. Other parasites can also cause diarrhea.
Parasites in kittens
Kittens are often infested with parasites. Such an infestation usually has nothing to do with poor hygiene and can also occur before the first release.
Worms in baby cats
Baby cats can become infected with hookworms or hookworms through their mother’s milk. Worm infections sometimes go undetected in adult, healthy cats. If your kitten has a bloated tummy or is losing weight despite eating normally, it could be due to a worm infestation. More obvious indications are also vomiting worms or worms in the stool. Worms are transmitted via feces, blood, or infected prey.
So that the kitten does not constantly get infected again with its own worm eggs, worming should be carried out routinely about every three weeks up to the fifth month of life. Be sure to talk to your vet about this. He will be able to tell you when it is a good idea to deworm your kitten, as there are several factors to consider when it is the right time, such as vaccinations.
Ear mites in kittens
Ear mites can also affect kittens. The tiny mites live in the ear canals of many adult cats without causing any symptoms. When cuddling, the parasites migrate from the mother cat to her offspring. In kittens, the mites can cause ear infections with severe itching, which is why the kitten scratches frequently. A symptom of ear mites in cats is also a dark crust on the ears, and occasional discharge. If you notice any of these symptoms in your kitten, you should consult a veterinarian.
Fleas on kittens
Not only are fleas unpleasant for small cats, but they can also transmit diseases to the kitten, such as worms.
It is important that you take a kitten that is scratching or has sore skin to the vet as soon as possible if you have a kitten that is scratching itself. Because these parasites can weaken young cats. It is just as important that you only use parasite control agents on the animal and in the home that your veterinarian gives you or expressly recommends. Because many anti-parasitics (including herbal ones!) are highly toxic for cats. The vet will treat your kitten with a kitten-specific product.
To prevent fleas, you should practice good hygiene. A flea repellent is useful if there are other animals in the household that go outside regularly.
Infectious diseases in kittens
Kittens are also extremely susceptible to infections of all kinds. Most of the time, the baby cats have already been vaccinated against cat flu and cat disease for the first time when they are taken over by their new owner. These vaccinations must be repeated within four weeks so that they can develop their full protection. Ask the breeder or previous owner about the current vaccination status of the kitten here.
Depending on whether the kitten will later only live in the apartment or also be allowed to go outside, further vaccinations against leukosis, FIP, and rabies are recommended. It is best to have the veterinarian draw up an individual vaccination schedule for the kitten. Only when the basic immunization for the most important diseases has been completed is the baby cat allowed outside.
But there are no vaccinations against many infections, so you should pay particular attention to hygiene, especially during the transition phase:
- Never leave wet food in the bowl for more than half an hour.
- Clean the feeding and drinking vessels at least once a day and then rinse them with hot (preferably boiling) water.
Attention: You should not use harsh cleaning agents or disinfectants for this or for cleaning the house – because even the smallest residue can be dangerous for sensitive kittens.
Colds and respiratory infections in kittens
Baby kittens are vulnerable to the cold and can easily catch a chill. Therefore, make sure that your kitten is not exposed to drafts or extreme temperature fluctuations. With good care, kittens usually recover from a cold soon. If this is not the case, or if a fever is involved, be sure to consult a veterinarian for advice.
While kittens are particularly susceptible to some diseases, with little care and proper care, most diseases can be prevented.