What should I ask my veterinarian at my kitten’s first appointment?

I think it's important that you know what to be feeding your kittens, how much water to expect them to drink, how to play with the kitten, how to pick up a kitten, when the next vaccines are due, why we're giving the vaccines, and why it’s important to know when to have your kitten spayed or neutered. Those things I think are good questions to ask your veterinarian.

It’s good to ask how much food to feed your kitten and how much exercise they need. Especially if you're unfamiliar, ask for good resources. Where's the closest emergency facility in case your regular veterinarian is closed? That's always good to know so you're not scrambling at the last minute. We like to give all that information ahead of time, and we direct people to our website, prestigeanimalhospital.com. We have these client resources for a guide to cat care where they can find all that information. Because it can get overwhelming at the visit, we give them a reference to go back to that summarizes what we discussed.

If you have any specific questions, save them till the end, because they may answer them before you even get there. We like to spend at least a good 30 minutes with clients that have a new kitten and make sure that all their questions are answered, and that they have access to information that they're going to need from home also.

Any questions that you have. Of course, bring them. Write them down. We encourage you to write them down so that you'll remember them. We give a lot of education. But if you have questions about their nutrition, about how they interact with your other family members or your other pets, those would be good questions to ask us. If you have questions about just what they're doing at home, how they're acting, then ask us, and we're happy to help.

That's a great question. You can ask any question that you like or think of. I recommend asking about kitten behavior and what to expect as they grow in your house. You can also ask about the vaccines, when they will be due and why we give them. You can ask about spaying and neutering your kitten, as well as monthly preventatives. You can even ask how to introduce them to other pets that might be in your house or other family members.

It's a good idea to write down any specific questions you have before your kitten's appointment. Generally, your veterinarian will discuss vaccines, deworming and intestinal parasites, nutrition, lifestyle, and environment. Bring a fecal sample with you to the appointment if possible.

It depends on your specific questions and concerns. Common questions include topics such as behavior, feeding, vaccine protocols, and heartworm, flea, and tick prevention. If this is your first time caring for a kitten, your veterinarian will cover all relevant topics. It's a good idea to write down your questions beforehand, so you don't forget them during the appointment. Your veterinarian wants to ensure you leave the appointment feeling informed and empowered to care for your kitten.