| City & Guilds Qualification At PamPurredPets we actively encourage our staff to be knowledgeable in all aspects of pet keeping. We have our own in - house training programme which all staff follow during their first six months with us. After completing this programme many progress on to the City & Guilds in Pet Management, which is a nationally recognised qualification. |
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| Suitability Cats have been our companions since the days of Ancient Egypt and have become our most popular pet. With today’s busy lifestyle they are independent enough to be left while we work and provide us with affection and companionship when we are at home. A potential owner needs to be aware of the costs for care, such as veterinary charges for inoculations and unforeseeable accidents or illnesses. Pet healthcare insurance is an option which may prove invaluable. Other regular costs include food, worm and flea preparations and boarding costs whilst the owner is on holiday! The average life span of a cat is fifteen to sixteen years. Owning a cat is a commitment but certainly a very rewarding and enjoyable one! Choosing a Kitten It is advisable to see the kittens with their mother before purchasing. Watch how the kittens behave together and choose one that is confident and active. The kitten’s breathing should be regular and unlaboured and the abdomen should neither be excessively thin or swollen as this could be a sign of illness. Check underneath the kitten for signs of diarrhoea. The mouth should look healthy without any soreness inside. The nose should be clean and free of discharge and eyes should be bright and clear. Ears should smell fresh and look clean. Finally check the skin and coat for parasites such as fleas, lice or mange mites. Housing Before taking your kitten home you will need to decide whether you want an indoor or outdoor cat. Most cats will readily adapt to either lifestyle. If you live in a busy built up area you may decide to keep your kitten indoors. If this is the case consideration should be given to having more than one cat to relieve confinement stress. Cats used to being indoors can still be exercised on a cat harness. If your kitten is to be an outdoor cat, most vets advise keeping your pet inside until it has been neutered, which is usually at four to five months of age. When your kitten is able to go outside on its own, many owners find it easier and more convenient to install a cat flap. Feeding Kittens should be kept on their current feed for at least the first few days in their new home. Four small meals should be offered daily up to the age of twelve weeks. At PamPurredPets we offer a wide range of complete food from kitten right through to senior. Always ensure that your kitten has access to fresh water at all times. Milk designed specifically for kittens should be offered in preference to cows milk. Kittens cannot digest lactose and cows milk may cause an upset stomach. Training Most kittens will already be used to using a litter tray before they leave their mother. The tray should be positioned where it is easily accessible but away from busy areas. Encourage your kitten to use the tray after meals. The litter should be kept clean or your kitten may refuse to use the tray. Training your kitten not to scratch may be a little harder and is best to use positive reinforcement of good behaviour. Provide a scratching post and encourage your kitten to use it. |
Health & Hygiene Inoculations for both feline infectious enteritis and cat flu are recommended at between ten and twelve weeks. Most vets recommend annual boosters to keep your cat fully protected. It is also possible to have your kitten vaccinated against feline leukaemia which unfortunately is becoming more prevalent. Consideration should be given to neutering tomcats as this will help to prevent them from straying, fighting and spraying. It is also important from a population control point of view. Female kittens should be spayed as this will prevent unwanted kittens. Your vet will be able to advise you as to the appropriate age. All kittens should be treated for roundworm every two weeks, from the age of two weeks until twelve weeks old. The symptoms include poor growth, a swollen stomach, diarrhoea, poor coat condition and lethargy. From the age of six months kittens should be treated for tapeworm. Signs of tapeworm infection are weight loss, poor coat condition and tell tale white worms around the kitten’s bottom or on its faeces, resembling small grains of rice. Cats should be treated for roundworm and tapeworm every three months. Kittens under twelve weeks can only be treated with flea products supplied by a vet, although flea combs and flea repellents are available from your pet store. However, it is still important to treat their environment to avoid reinfestation. If your kitten develops repeated vomiting, passes blood, is lethargic, loses its appetite or suffers from unusual bowel movements your vet should be consulted immediately. Cats claws do not wear down like dogs nails. They shed their outer skin to leave a new layer underneath. Nail clipping is not recommended unless specified by a vet. Shopping List
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