Bringing a kitten into your family is exciting and a responsibility we are honored to help with. At Cherry Knolls Veterinary Clinic in Centennial, we focus on calm, positive visits and tailor timing and care to your kitten’s lifestyle and needs. Because one size does not fit all, we will personalize timing and treatments after examining your kitten and discussing options that match your situation, priorities and budget.

At a Glance Schedule

A simple series designed to build strong immunity. If your kitten is starting late or has missed a dose, we will tailor a catch up plan based on age.

8 weeks

FVRCP #1 (feline herpesvirus rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia)
• Deworming and flea tick prevention
• Fresh stool sample test available for screening

12 weeks

FVRCP #2
• Feline Leukemia (FeLV) #1
• Deworming and flea tick prevention
• Fresh stool sample or follow up test available to check efficacy

16 weeks

FVRCP #3 (final kitten booster; sometimes given at 18 to 20 weeks based on risk)
• FeLV #2
• Rabies
• Deworming and flea tick prevention available

6 to 8 months

Spay Neuter (add a microchip if not already placed)

12 months after 16 week visit

FVRCP booster (1 year)
• Rabies booster (as applicable)
• FeLV booster for at risk cats

Notes

• If you are starting late, we will design an age based catch up plan.
• Ask about split visit vaccine appointments for additional safety or if your kitten has a history of vaccine sensitivity.
• Rabies is a core vaccine like FVRCP. FeLV is also very important for protecting young kittens.
• FeLV FIV testing: We may test at intake and before or around the FeLV series when practical. Retest about 60 days after any possible exposure.
• Want to save on preventive care? Ask about our Kitten Wellness Bundle with payment plan options available.

Parasites: What to Know

Intestinal parasites are common in kittens, including roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms and coccidia. Signs can include diarrhea, vomiting, a pot bellied appearance and poor growth. Kittens can acquire parasites from their mother, the environment, fleas or prey.

Can parasites affect people? In rare cases, yes. Good hygiene, regular deworming and prompt litter cleaning help protect everyone.

Deworming and Stool Sample Checks

• Deworming plan: Every 2 weeks until about 12 weeks, then monthly until about 6 months
• Adult cats: indoor cats yearly fecal; outdoor or hunting cats every 1 to 3 months or fecal every 3 months with targeted deworming
• Why stool tests? They detect parasites even when no signs are present and confirm that treatment worked
• First year fecals: plan 2 to 4 tests (intake, post deworming, and again by 6 to 12 months)
• Fleas and tapeworms: consistent flea control helps prevent tapeworm infections

Heartworm Advisory (Travel Related)

Heartworm risk varies by region. If your kitten came from or will travel to an area where heartworm is common, ask us about testing and monthly prevention. We will tailor timing to your travel plans.

Home Hygiene Tips

• Scoop litter daily
• Wash hands after handling litter or soil
• Keep play areas clean
• Pregnant individuals should avoid litter box duty

Grooming Basics (Low Stress)

• Baths: Not usually needed for most kittens, but helpful for long haired ones. Use kitten safe shampoo.
• Brushing: Short, frequent sessions help build trust and prevent mats.
• Ears: Check weekly and clean only with vet approved products.
• Nails: Trim small amounts often and reward calm behavior.
• Teeth: Start early with cat safe toothpaste and a soft brush or finger brush.

Spay Neuter: Why and When

Spaying or neutering helps reduce roaming, spraying, fighting, heat cycles and certain reproductive diseases.
We offer pre anesthetic bloodwork to identify hidden issues early and improve safety and recovery.
Recommended at 6 to 8 months. We may advise earlier or later in specific cases.
Consider microchipping at the same time.

Home care includes pain control as prescribed, e collar if needed, activity restriction for 10 to 14 days and monitoring the incision for swelling, discharge, odor or appetite changes.

Nutrition and Feeding

• Wet and dry balance: including wet food supports hydration and urinary health
• Feeding start point: aim for at least 50 percent high quality canned kitten food
• Feed kitten specific diets until 9 to 12 months
• Small frequent meals support growth
• Introduce new foods gradually over 7 to 10 days
• Avoid cow milk; provide fresh water
• Treats: limit to 10 percent of daily calories
• We will help you set daily calories and track body condition at each visit
• Consider puzzle feeders or timed feeders for enrichment

Bringing Your Kitten Home

Start in one quiet room with litter, water, food, bed and toys.
Let curiosity lead. Open the carrier and allow voluntary exploration.
Expand their world room by room over several days.
Sit nearby, speak softly and allow them to interact on their terms.

Introducing Your Kitten to Dogs, Cats and Children

• Start with scent swaps
• First visual introductions using a gate or carrier; dogs should be leashed
• Keep sessions short, calm and supervised
• Watch body language and pause if stress signs appear
• Provide vertical spaces for cats and separate resources
• Always supervise interactions with children and teach gentle handling

Kitten Gentling (Cooperative Care)

• 30 to 60 second sessions 1 to 2 times daily
• Gently touch ears, gums, paws, tail and collar or harness
• Touch then treat
• Practice exam positions: chin rest, stand and side lie
• Carrier training: keep carrier out at home and add treats
• Introduce surfaces and sounds calmly
• Stop if you see flattened ears, tail swishing, crouching, growling or hissing

Play, Enrichment and Safety

• Predatory play with wands, toy mice, crinkle balls and lasers
• Remove broken toys immediately
• Avoid unsupervised string or ribbon
• Provide cat trees and scratching posts
• Never use hands or feet as toys
• Daily play builds confidence

Foreign Body (FB) Ingestion: Prevent and Act

Avoid items such as string, yarn, ribbon, hair ties, elastics, tinsel, needles and small toy parts.
Watch for vomiting, drooling, pawing at mouth, appetite loss, hiding or abdominal pain.
Do not pull visible string. Call immediately.
Do not induce vomiting unless advised by a veterinarian.

Holiday and Household Hazards

Lilies, essential oils, human pain medication, onions, garlic, chocolate, xylitol and open flame candles. If unsure, keep it out of reach and contact us.

Litter Box Success

• One box per cat plus one extra
• Quiet location away from food and water
• Use unscented, low dust clumping litter for kittens over 12 to 16 weeks
• Non clumping litter for younger kittens or those who mouth litter
• Depth about 2 to 3 cm
• Box length should be about 1.5 times kitten body length
• Scoop daily and wash monthly
• Move boxes gradually if needed
• Praise only; never punish

Pregnancy Detection (Planned or Accidental)

Pregnancy can be difficult to confirm early by physical exam.
Blood test: positive around 25 to 30 days after mating
Ultrasound: assesses pregnancy and viability around 20 to 25 days
Radiographs: best for fetal count once skeletons mineralize at 45 days or later

If timing is unknown, we will plan a timeline that includes ultrasound around day 25 to 30 and radiographs around day 55.

Low Stress Vet Visits (Cats)

• Use a sturdy top opening carrier with familiar bedding
• Leave the carrier out at home to create a safe den
• Use pheromone spray 15 to 20 minutes before travel
• Practice short car rides
• Ask about no poke visits
• Pre visit medication is available for anxious cats
• Prefer to wait in your car? Let us know and we will escort you to a cat friendly room

Family Consistency

• Use consistent cues
• Supervise children
• Short 5 to 10 minute training sessions in different rooms help generalize behaviours

Area and Environment Specific Health Notes (Centennial)

• Ear mites: watch for head shaking, scratching and dark debris
• Upper respiratory disease: sneezing, nasal or eye discharge and reduced appetite
• Ringworm: patchy hair loss or crusts
• Outdoor and hunting risk: fleas, ticks and wildlife exposure. Ask us about prevention.

Pet Insurance

Pet insurance helps manage costs of accidents and illnesses. Review waiting periods, exclusions, reimbursement percentage, annual limits and deductibles. Ask about direct pay options and pre approval for major procedures. We are happy to discuss what to look for at your first visit. Many families also set aside a monthly savings fund for unexpected costs.

When to Contact Us

Call if you notice poor appetite, repeated vomiting or diarrhea, sneezing or eye discharge, coughing, difficulty breathing, lethargy, pain or any change that concerns you. Trust your instincts. Kittens can decline quickly.

We are here to help every step of the way. Contact Cherry Knolls Veterinary Clinic in Centennial, Colorado to schedule your kitten’s first visit and begin a healthy, confident life together.
📞 Phone: (303) 779-1170
📍 Address: 7300 S. Colorado Blvd. Centennial, CO 80122

Disclaimer: The information in this post is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. Every pet is unique. Always consult your veterinarian regarding your animal’s specific health condition before taking any action or changing their care routine.