Download how to care for your kitten

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR KITTEN.
Congratulations on obtaining your newest family member from the specialists at Pampered Petz
Please read the following closely, it is important to the health of your new pet:
In line with our " Pampered Petz Hornsby Health Guarantee & Sale Commitment", all new pets bought from us
must be booked in & taken with all their paperwork, to one of the following vets within 72 hours for their
health check (paid by us). At these vets only, free health cover is provided in case of emergency during
working hours for the first ten days (see the below EMERGENCY PROCEDURE). Please take the time to go
through this entire guide. There is some very important information for the wellbeing of your new pet, &
please pay special attention to the Emergency Procedure.
Asquith Vet - 305 Pacific Hwy, Asquith. (9477-1349 in working hours, same for emergencies).
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Date:____/___/201__. Feeding: Earthborn puppy Vantage. Worming with:____________.
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Vaccination Date:___/___. 2nd Vaccination Date:___/___. 3rd Vaccination Date:___/___.
Suggested de-sexing Time ___________________
Be prepared for your new pet to become a little stressed while it settles in to its new environment. It may be away from
its friends and littermates for the first time, and will need uninterrupted sleep periods, for up to 80% of the day. If they
do not get enough sleep, they can become ill. To avoid jealously if you have another older animal, you should: feed and sleep
them apart, give your older pet more attention than normal, and introduce them slowly. Please take some time to read
these pages, they are important.
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Ask us to show you a snug, washable, insulated bed. If you do not have an older cat, for the first few nights your new
pet's bed should be kept right next to one of the family member's beds, because new pets that are locked away by
themselves can fret, stress severely and whine. If your new pet does wake up during the night, a comforting pat is
usually enough to get them back to sleep. If this does not work try popping them in your bed for a little while, until
they fall asleep again. Do not worry, you can always move the new pet out to another room of the house after a few
days, once they are fully used to their new surroundings. A heating pad or hot water bottle will make it much more
bearable for your new pet's first night.
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A companion fluffy toy (ideally with your new pet’s litter mates smell on it), put in your new pet’s bed at night, is a very
important component of avoiding separation stress.
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Toys impregnated with the plant extract catnip are extremely tempting to kittens, and they should ideally be provided
with many toys to keep them playing, occupied and not destroying your house.
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Stainless steel or unbreakable plastic bowls are great as they are dishwasher safe and hygienic. Ceramic bowls should
be used for water, as they are hard to knock over, and keep water cool. Auto-feeders for food and water are great
and only have to be filled every few days or weeks.
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Stain and odour removers are required if they do have accidents on the carpet, tiles or wooden floor. If your new pet
has gone on the carpet, pour on direct, leave for a few minutes, and then soak up with tissues (do not scrub). For solid
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floors, make up with water and mop the area. These products are essential while housebreaking, because unless the
odour is removed, your new pet will return to where it has had previous accidents. Do not use normal ammonia smelling
cleansers.
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Kitten shampoo and conditioners are gentle to sensitive skin and eyes (human shampoos have a different pH level).
Wash your new pet less than monthly, otherwise you will strip the coat of natural oils, may increase itching problems
and stimulate catty smells.
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Ask us what is a Zoom Groom or a Slicker Brush, and what the most suitable comb is. Grooming should be started
early, to get them used to it.
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Ear cleaner drops or pads should be used as required, usually monthly. Applied sparingly with a cotton ball or tissue to
the outer ear, will remove wax, ear mites, and dry the ear canal (for long-haired breeds). Ensure you use the cleaner to
wipe away and out, do not drip cleaner in to the ear.
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Tear stain remover should be used on lighter coloured cats as often as required.
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Topitrex or Drontal is used to worm your kitten for intestinal worms (roundworm, tapeworm, hookworm, etc), at around
eight weeks, ten weeks, twelve weeks, then at four months, five months and six months, and then once every three
months after that. Expect loose droppings for 24 hours, and if you see worms in droppings do not panic, but worm
again in 2 days.
Nail clippers are used after bathing, because the claws soften up.
Carry crates are handy to transport your new pet home, to the vet or on vacation safely.
We have a range of books to teach you everything about raising a new pet.
You can use bitter sprays and gels to discourage indiscriminate chewing.
Your new pet should be vaccinated at around 8 weeks (we have done at least this one for all our kittens), 12 weeks and
16 weeks, and then annually. A new vaccination regime will be available soon which allows the final vaccine to be given at
10-12 weeks, ask our vets about this. Kittens should not be allowed near unknown cats until after the 16 weeks
(unfortunately this means no trips to the park). You should definitely de-sex your new pet at around 6 months to avoid
unwanted litters for females, and behavioral issues for males.
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Advantage, Frontline, Advocate, Revolution or Sentinel (depending on the kitten's age), which are squirted on the back
of the neck monthly for fleas (and other parasites). Do not use these products 48 hours either side of washing. It is
much easier to prevent fleas at the kitten stage, than to try and remove infestations on your new pet and in your
house, later on.
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Earthborn, Royal Canin, and Science Diet are what we use and recommend for diet. These premium foods: are
completely balanced, lead to less smells and clean up, are loaded with vitamins and calcium, will help avoid urinary
tract infections and crystals, are preserved naturally, and are ideal for all kittens. For feeding tips see the "Pets
Paradise Kitten Feeding Guide." Calcium is not required these days, if kept on premium foods.
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Dried fish, Kitty Bits, Liver Sprinkles and even smoked pig’s ears (for good chewers), are great for treats.
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Scratch posts provide your kitten with an alternative to scratching on your furniture, speakers and carpet. Spraying
them with catnip will make kittens more likely to use them.
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The best litter trays are fully enclosed with an air filter to absorb smells, give your kitten privacy and prevent adult
cats kicking litter over the sides. For most cats, using litter trays is instinctive.
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Litter tray liners make for easy cleaning, and litter deodorants are also helpful.
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Clumping litters we highly recommend, because they last up to four weeks after the initial filling of the tray, do not
smell, never have to be changed and are economical.
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An elastic collar (so they cannot get hooked up), extra bell and identification disk should be left on your new pet at
all times. Ask us which combination of lead, retractable lead or cat harnesses would be suited to your new pet.
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Cat doors are helpful so you do not have to let your kitten in and out all day.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURE PLEASE READ VERY CLOSELY & FOLLOW EXACTLY!
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If within the ten days of the health guarantee your new pet has a medical emergency in normal working hours, please ring
immediately the above working hours phone numbers & describe the situation to one of our vets.
If the medical emergency is outside normal working hours, please ring immediately on the above emergency phone numbers
only. You will be charged a nominal $88 after-hours fee (only), so we very much encourage you to react quickly within
working hours, if your puppy shows any signs of ill health.
IF OUT OF NORMAL WORKING HOURS, ONLY RING THE ABOVE EMERGENCY NUMBERS. DO NOT LISTEN TO THE
INSTRUCTIONS DESIGNED FOR OUR VET'S GENERAL (NON-PAMPERED PETZ HORNSBY) CUSTOMERS ON THEIR
AFTER-HOURS MESSAGES. THE ONES THEY RECOMMEND ARE NOT “OUR” VETS.
EVEN IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, WE WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY VETS USED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, OTHER
THAN OURS. EVEN IF YOU LIVE A LONG DISTANCE FROM OUR VETS, OR IF THE PROBLEM HAPPENS AFTER
HOURS, WE STILL DO NOT COVER TREATMENT AT ANY OTHERS. IF YOU DO GO TO ANOTHER VET AT ANY TIME,
PLEASE UNDERSTAND YOU WILL HAVE TO COVER THE FULL BILL YOURSELF.
Ring our store immediately if you have any questions. If something happens out of working hours, get in contact with our
vets, but please ring us first thing when we open the next day.
FEEDING GUIDE.
VERY IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY.
It is important you feed your new pet exactly what it has been eating in our shop. Either (cans or dry) “EARTHBORN
FELINE is completely balanced foods. We feed all our animals these because being the best quality on the market, they:
lead to less smells (at both ends), result in less clean up being necessary (smaller droppings), are made from human quality
ingredients, are loaded with vitamins & calcium, are preserved naturally, & are ideal for all kittens & puppies. Puppy dry
foods are literally the best in the world, & it is worth a little effort at this stage to introduce good eating habits, which
are going to hold them in good stead for the rest of their lives.
As these premium quality foods are so high in calories, over-feeding can cause diarrhea. IT IS ESSENTIAL WHEN
FEEDING THAT ANY FOOD NOT EATEN AFTER THIRTY MINUTES ALWAYS BE REMOVED. If you leave food down for
long periods, your new pet will become forever fussy (not something you want). Most should be fed for 30 minutes 3-4
times daily until at least 6 months, then for 30 minutes 2-3 times daily until a year, & then for 30 minutes once or twice
daily.
If your new pet is eating the dry food adequately by itself, leave them simply on this premium dry food forever.
ARE THEY NOT EATING ENOUGH?
VERY IMPORTANT! WILL VOID YOUR HEALTH GUARANTEE IF NOT FOLLOWED EXACTLY.
If your new pet is not eating the dry/can mix well, you can substitute a higher number of smaller meals of (try them in this
order): cooked white chicken meat, cooked or raw beef or chicken mince, common canned foods, or rice & mashed
vegetables. Because they (especially little breeds) do not have any fat reserves, their sugar levels can drop very quickly &
very dangerously, if they do not eat regularly. The first few days in a new home can be very stressful for them, & the first
thing a stressed puppy or kitten does is stop eating. Contact the shop if your new pet is not eating well. Give no milk at all,
it will cause diarrhea
DESEXING.
Studies have shown that two undesexed cats can be responsible for more than 400,000 offspring, so by
reducing the numbers of unwanted cats, wildlife and birdlife can breathe a little easier. Similarly the
thousands of unwanted kittens euthanased every year would be spared a short, tragic life and an unnecessary
death.
Desexing, often termed as spaying (females) or neutering (males) involves the removal of the reproductive
organs ie the ovary and uterus or the testicles by a vet under an anaesthetic with the aim of stopping the cat
form reproducing.
There are many good reasons to have your cat desexed:
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Desexed cats are generally less aggressive, wander less and are less likely to spray. This results in
reduced incidences of injuries and disease from cat fights and fewer injuries from cars. Their
owners also save money on vet bills.
Desexed cats tend to live longer.
Desexed cats enjoy significant health benefits with prostate, ovarian and uterine cancers ruled out.
Desexed male cats are less likely to spray and mark their territory.
The desexing process is likely to have a calming and stabilising effect on behaviour in both males and
females.
Last but not least, when animals are de-sexed, the suffering which so often ends in the euthanasia
of thousands of unwanted cats is alleviated.
Desexing can now safely be carried out by vets from about twelve weeks of age. Early age desexing is
advised, as kittens can reproduce from about 16 weeks of age.
NOTIFICATION FROM LOCAL COUNCIL.
If within 8 weeks of purchase, you have not received a confirmation from your local council of the ownership of your new
pet being transferred from our name to yours, you must ring them immediately with your microchip number. Otherwise
your new pet is still officially owned by us.
"COOLING OFF" PERIOD
Under NSW law, puppies can be returned within 3 days (strictly 3 only), please acknowledge the following conditions:
1.
Option 1 - 50% of the puppy’s purchase price is refunded (by direct debit – we do not refund products).
2.
Option 2 - 100% of the puppy’s purchase price (no products) is transferred to an in-store credit note.
3.
Any unopened or un-used products can be returned for an in-store credit note (but not a refund).
IMPORTANT BENEFITS OF BUYING YOUR NEW PET FROM ONE OF OUR Pampered Petz Hornsby
1. As middle-men between breeders and our customers, we can offer what most breeders cannot. All our puppies and kittens:
pass a vet check before sale, and a free documented vet check after sale, are wormed, are vaccinated, are micro-chipped
(so they can never be anonymously "dumped"), come with a written health guarantee (you should never buy without one),
receive free vet coverage, and most importantly come with a cooling-off period.
2. Our store is a great interim period between leaving a breeder, & going to a new home. Allowing them to socialise with
others, get used to being handled by different adults and kids, & get over any separation anxiety.
3. You can leave the dealing with breeders to us, as unlike most of our customers, we: can assess for health, are aware of
breed characteristics, and can negotiate fair prices. Also, because we have a wide range of pure breeds and crosses, we
can match your situation with the correct type of kitten, never having to promote one particular breed.
4. People who have chosen to work in pet stores are true animal lovers, as they have forgone other opportunities to work with
animals. You can have unlimited access to these highly trained, animal obsessed staff (and our vets) during the settling in
period. We aim to educate our customers on all the good and bad aspects and the enormous obligation involved, in buying a
pet. As leaders in the pet industry, our store is very much in the public eye, allowing scrutiny of our animals and our
procedures. We strongly encourage you bring children in as often as you like to get them used to animals and check for any
aversions or allergies, before you consider committing to one.
5. Breeders often have to get you to choose their kittens at 3-6 weeks of age, and leave a deposit. In our stores the kittens
are older (normally 8-16 weeks), so the personality can be assessed to a much greater degree and matched to your family’s
particular requirements.
6. One further point to please understand when buying one of our kittens, is that we only sell pets, without any pedigree or
registration papers, and we were not in attendance at the time this pet’s parents were mated. As a result, although we buy
and sell them from our breeders in good faith, we cannot genetically guarantee the breeding (or cross breeding) and they
may not grow true to form.
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FEEDING GUIDELINES
Earthborn Holistic Natural Cat Food: Feeding Guidelines
Taking care of your cat's overall health starts by feeding him properly. We suggest using this
chart as a guide. Adjust amounts accordingly over time. Please remember these portions are
averages and will vary according to age, activity, size and temperament of your cat. When
introducing Earthborn Holistic Feline mix increasing amounts of Earthborn Holistic Feline with
decreasing amounts of the current food over a one week period. During gestation and lactation,
feed 2 to 3 times as much food as recommended in the Daily Feeding Guide for the weight of
your adult cat. Kittens start to eat solid foods at three to four weeks of age and should have free
access to moistened food from this time until weaning (6 - 8 weeks). Moistened food should be
one part warm water with three parts Earthborn Holistic Feline. You may keep Earthborn
Holistic Feline before your kitten at all times; most kittens will satisfy their nutritional needs as
their appetite dictates.
CUPS of Feline Vantage or Primitive Natural TO FEED YOUR CAT EACH DAY Weight of Cat
Weight
1.8 - 2.7 kg
2.8 - 4.1 kg
4.2 - 5.4 kg
5.5 - 6.8 kg
6.9 - 9.1kg
Cups Per Day
1/4 to 1/3 cups
1/3 to 2/3 cups
2/3 to 3/4 cups
3/4 to 1 cups
1 to 1&1/2 cups
CUPS of Feline Vantage or Primitive Natural TO FEED YOUR KITTEN EACH DAY
Age of Cat
In Months
1-2
2-6
6 - 12
Cups per Day
1/4 to 1/3 cups
1/3 to 3/4 cups
3/4 to 1 cup
The above information is only meant as a guide, and you should not hesitate to contact our helpful
staff if you have any concerns. Info above does not replace your vet advice. We would greatly
appreciate you dropping in with any clean shredded paper or old towels you may have. Enjoy and look
after your new pet
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