It can be daunting welcoming a fur baby into the home and you may find yourself questioning whether every scratch, stretch or miaow is “normal”. Happily, you don’t need to go through this alone. Your local veterinary clinic is not only a place to turn in times of emergency, but it’s also a wonderful source of information and support.
With the help of the expert team at NEXGARD SPECTRA, we answer some common questions about vet care for cats in Aotearoa.
How many vaccinations does my kitten need?
To be considered fully vaccinated, your kitty will initially require a series of vaccinations, starting from six to eight weeks of age and then repeating every two to four weeks until 16 weeks of age or older. These protect against the core diseases in New Zealand, including cat flu. Beyond that, boosters are important to maintain immunity. Keep a record of vaccinations as catteries will require them.
Does my vet sort out worms and fleas?
Your vet will have great advice on parasite protection and stock quality brands like NEXGARD SPECTRA. Every cat is different and your vet will know the specific risks your cat is likely to face based on its lifestyle. But your cat is likely to wander the neighbourhood, hunt mice and spend its spare time grooming. All these things put them at risk of not just fleas, but worms, ticks and ear mites too. Gone are the days of needing separate treatments for fleas and worms. Convenient all-in-one combination products are available. But not all are created equal – some deal to fewer parasites than others. None covers more parasites than NEXGARD SPECTRA for Cats.
Do I have to desex my cat?
Neutering is strongly recommended – and not just to avoid unwanted pregnancies. It also prevents challenging behaviours associated with reproduction, including excessive roaming and fighting, and reduces the risk of mammary cancer and uterine infections in females. It’s generally performed prior to sexual maturity, between four and six months of age.
How does microchipping work?
Due to their wandering nature, cats commonly go missing and reuniting them with their owners can be difficult simply due to a lack of identification. A microchip, which the vet inserts just under the skin, has a unique number. Your vet will add this number, together with your contact details to the New Zealand Companion Animal Register – check they are up to date by visiting animalregister.co.nz.
How often should I visit my vet?
Cats are masters at hiding signs of illness, so outside of emergencies, it’s worth having an annual check-up. At this time, your vet will perform a physical examination, checking the likes of teeth and ears, and listening to the heart and lungs, and then offer recommendations for ongoing care. Cats may require more frequent visits as they age.
Do I need vet insurance?
Unlike human healthcare, which is heavily subsidised in the public health system, animal healthcare is not, and can be expensive, so it’s worth considering pet insurance for peace of mind. There are now multiple providers with various plans, so take time to compare premiums and benefits to decide whether pet insurance is right for you and your cat.
Did you know?
It’s important to deworm your cat monthly. This is because the ingredients in combination products that kill worms are only effective on the day it’s given (whereas the ingredient that kills fleas, keeps working). Roundworms mature in your pet and can start laying eggs after five weeks, so if you only give a wormer every three months, that can be around 60 days that the roundworm is laying eggs! Thousands every day. NEXGARD SPECTRA for Cats is the one-and-done solution for treating pet parasites. Given monthly, the no-fuss spot-on treatment for cats protects against fleas, ticks, ear mites and worms – including tapeworms.
See product label for full claim details and directions for use. Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health New Zealand Limited. Level 3, 2 Osterley Way, Manukau, Auckland, New Zealand| NEXGARD SPECTRA® is a registered trade mark of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health France. NEXGARD SPECTRA Spot-on solution for Cats – registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997 | No. 011852 | ©COPYRIGHT 2022 NZ-FEL-0045-2022.
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