In the first year of raising a cat, you must know these daily care points

Raising a cat is more than just feeding it - immunization, deworming, bathing, claw clipping, and teeth brushing. Failure to do any of these may affect the cat's health. For newbies, this list covers the most easily overlooked daily care points.

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Vaccination: The first step to protect your cat

Core Vaccines (must be vaccinated for all cats):

Vaccines	Prevention of diseases	Time for first vaccination
Feline Triad (FVRCP)	Feline distemper (panleukopenia), Feline Herpes Virus, Feline Carisivirus	Start at 8–9 weeks of age

Vaccination Process:

• 8–9 weeks: first dose
• 11–12 weeks: second dose
• 14–16 weeks: Third dose (required by some procedures)
• Boost every 1–3 years thereafter

Rabies Vaccine:

• Even for purely indoor cats, many cities require vaccination
• First injection at 3 months of age, followed by boosters every year or every 3 years (depending on vaccine type)

Note: For cats that have just been brought home, their health status should be observed for 1–2 weeks before vaccination (to avoid the stress period).

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Deworming: internal + external body are indispensable

External insect repellent (fleas, ticks, ear mites)

Applicable objects: All cats, especially those who have the habit of going out or have dogs/cats at home

Common dosage forms:

• Drops (applied on the nape of the neck): once a month, convenient and the mainstream choice
• Spray: suitable for large areas -Collar: lasts for several months, but is not as stable as drops

Frequency: 1 time per month (especially uninterruptible in summer and autumn)

Internal deworming (roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms)

-Kittens: every 2–4 weeks until 3 months of age; every 3 months thereafter

• Adult cats (indoor only): every 3–6 months
• Adult cats (outdoor): every 1–3 months

Method of administration: oral tablet, liquid syringe (dropped into mouth)

Note: The internal anthelmintic and external anthelmintic components may be used simultaneously, following product instructions or veterinary advice.

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Sterilization: One of the Most Important Health Management Decisions

Recommended sterilization time:

• Male cats: 4–6 months old (development before sexual maturity)
• Female cats: 4–6 months old (before first heat)

Health Benefits of Neutering:

Gender	Benefits
Male cats	Reduce marking behavior, reduce the risk of testicular cancer, reduce stray fights, injuries and infections
Female cats	Eliminate the risk of pyometra (a common fatal disease) and significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer

Postoperative Care Points:

• Male cats: They can go home normally on the day of surgery, recovery is fast, and stitches will be removed in 7–10 days (some stitches are not required and do not need to be removed)
• Female cats: need to wear surgical gowns/Elizabeth rings for 10–14 days after surgery to prevent licking of wounds

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Oral care: the most easily overlooked

Oral disease in cats is one of the most common health problems. About 70% of cats over 3 years old have varying degrees of periodontal disease.

Daily care methods (from low to high difficulty):

Method	Effect	Frequency
Teeth cleaning snacks/teeth grinding sticks	Auxiliary reduction of dental calculus	Daily
Mouthwash (add to drinking water)	Antibacterial, prevent tartar formation	Daily
Wipe gums with gauze/fingertips	Remove soft scale	Weekly
Pet toothbrush + toothpaste	Most effective, anti-tartar	Every 1–2 days
Professional teeth cleaning (anaesthesia)	Removal of established tartar	Every 1–2 years, as appropriate

Note: Cats can only use pet toothpaste (with chicken, seafood, etc. flavors), and absolutely cannot use human toothpaste (contains fluoride, which is toxic to cats).

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ear care

Check Frequency: Check the inside of the ear canal once a week

Normal condition: A small amount of light yellow earwax in the ear, no odor, and no large amount of black secretion

Exception signal:

• A large amount of dark brown or black granular discharge → Possible ear mites
• There is an irritating odor in the ears → there may be an infection
• The cat repeatedly scratches its ears and shakes its head → there is an ear problem, seek medical attention promptly

Cleaning Method:

1. Dip a cotton ball or cotton swab (do not penetrate deeply) into the pet ear canal cleaning solution
2. Gently wipe the visible part of the inside of the auricle
3. Do not forcefully clean the deep ear canal (it may damage the eardrum)

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Nail trimming

Frequency: Trim every 2–3 weeks

Tools: Pet-specific nail scissors (do not use human scissors, as they can easily split cat claws)

Correct cutting method:

1. Press the paw to extend the nail
2. Look clearly at the blood line (pink part) and cut 2–3mm in front of the blood line.
3. Never cut to the bleeding line, otherwise it will cause bleeding and pain.

If you accidentally bleed after cutting: Use styptic powder or a small amount of flour to apply pressure to stop the bleeding.

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Combing

Shorthair: 1–2 times per week Long-haired cats: Brush every day to prevent hair knots

Benefits of Combing:

• Reduce hair loss and hair ball accumulation (cats that swallow too many hair balls may cause intestinal problems)
• Detection of skin abnormalities (ectoparasites, wounds, etc.)
• Promote blood circulation

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Bath frequency

Cats can clean themselves and do not need frequent bathing.

Cat Type	Recommended Bathing Frequency
Short-haired Indoor Cats	1–2 months or as needed
Long-haired cats	Once 3–4 weeks (anti-knotting)
Skin disease/dirty	Follow veterinary advice

Note: Dry thoroughly after washing to prevent cold and skin fungal infection. Cats are sensitive to temperature.

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*The content of this article refers to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and pet health industry standards. For specific medication and operation recommendations, please consult a licensed veterinarian. *