Providing care for your cat

At Claygate Vets, we put your cat’s health & wellbeing first, and that’s why our Healthy Pet Club exists! Ensure that they remain in tip-top shape with our essential preventative healthcare and exclusive discounts, available all year long.

Discover what’s on offer and join the club along with your very own VIP (Very Important Pet).

Here at Claygate Vets we tailor your cat’s immunisation programme to their individual needs ensuring they get the right vaccines for their lifestyle and health status.

For kittens: we strongly recommend starting your kitten’s vaccines at nine weeks old, and getting a second one administered three to four weeks later. Following this, they will typically need annual boosters to keep them immunised.

Unsure of your cat’s vaccination status? Simply contact our experienced team and make a booking. Read more about our vaccinations here.

Claygate Vets uses a 4-in-1 vaccine that offers protection against the following diseases:

• Herpes & Calicivirus (cat flu): Symptoms include achy joints and muscles, sneezing, runny nose and eyes, dribbling, fever, sore throat and a loss of voice.
• Panleukopenia: Highly contagious, and can result in severe immune system, nervous system and gastrointestinal disease.
• FeLV (Feline leukaemia virus): A potentially life-threatening disease that can attack the immune system and cause cancers such as lymphoma or leukaemia, along with other serious illnesses.

There are also other vaccinations offered at Claygate Vets that are separate from our usual vaccine course:

• Chlamydia vaccine: This enables your cat’s immune system to fight effectively against symptoms such as severe conjunctivitis and respiratory infections.
• Feline Infectious Peritonitis: This can present itself as vomiting, fever, blood poisoning and the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.
• Feline Immunodeficiency Virus: Transmitted through saliva, with symptoms such as poor appetite, weight loss, gastrointestinal issues, conjunctivitis, recurring fever and behavioural changes.
• Rabies vaccine: There may be no current cases of this viral disease in the UK, but if your cat is your travelling companion, make sure they’re protected abroad so they can enjoy their time away just as much as you! Learn more about pet travel and any other requirements here.

Cats are naturally curious and love exploring, which is why it’s even more important to make sure you get regular health checks so they can keep doing exactly that. Learn about why Claygate Vets recommend check-ups every six months and read more about our consultations here.

Kittens

From a young age, your kitten will receive the very best care, with a full physical examination performed by our highly qualified vet. This includes eyes, mouth, teeth, ears, nose, skin, joints and abdomen, before listening to their heart and lungs to detect any abnormalities.

This first visit is crucial, as it not only allows us to establish an initial frame of reference for your kitten’s general wellbeing, but also provides you with everything you need to know – such as nutritional and behavioural needs – so they can live a long, healthy life by your side.

Adult Cats

As they get older, showering them with love isn’t the only thing your cat needs – check-ups are just as important. We advise you do this every six months, and these are included in our Healthy Pet Club, making it even easier to do!

Senior Cats

From the age of seven, your cat will be classified as a distinguished senior, meaning regular health checks are needed to ensure they continue living life uninterrupted. We provide the best veterinary care for your senior cat, focusing on diseases that occur most frequently with older felines, such as arthritis, heart, dental or kidney disease, high blood pressure and hyperthyroidism.

Claygate Vets can also screen for abnormalities through a blood and urine test, which is performed annually. We suggest that you collect a sample from a non-absorbent cat litter that allows for the pooling of urine and prevents contamination.

Contact our friendly team for more information or book a cat consultation.

Cat Microchipping Law – Act Now 

It is a legal requirement in England to microchip cats aged 20 weeks or older. We are able to insert a microchip at Claygate Vets during any routine consultation with minimal discomfort to your cat, improving your chance of being reunited with them if they wander away from your side.

Read more about microchipping here.

They may love stealing your food when you’re not looking, but your cat still needs a balanced diet of their own, consisting of a combination of wet and dry cat food. As carnivores, they need meat to stay strong and healthy, and any homemade diets should be introduced at the recommendation and guidance of a veterinary surgeon. Not doing this will put them at risk of severe nutritional deficiencies, diseases, and difficulties, such as blindness.

Kittens

The smallest animals have the biggest appetites, so kittens should be fed at least four meals a day, with easily accessible fresh water available in a clean bowl.

Adult & Senior Cats

Once they’re an adult or senior, many cats prefer two meals a day, but this can be dependent on personality and preferences as some would rather graze on their food throughout the day, which is only successful in a one-cat household. Ensure a careful balance of wet and dry food, and that fresh water is readily available.

If you notice your senior cat’s water intake has decreased, we’d suggest investing in a water fountain – as cats are often attracted to running water – or pouring a small amount of water into their food bowl. Not only does this keep your cat hydrated, but it even helps those with bladder conditions.

Alongside a nutritious diet, it’s important to monitor your cat for signs of obesity, as it can exacerbate conditions like arthritis and result in other complex conditions. Our long-standing vet nurses are available to help if you have any queries about weight monitoring or management, so say hello!

Parasites pose serious health risks for your furry family member, and Claygate Vets suggest the following worming programme – with Milbemax or Drontal products – to protect them against discomfort and keep them parasite-free:

• 2 weeks – 3 months: Every two weeks
• 3 – 6 months: Once per month
• 6 months and older: Every three months

Many effective flea-control products are also available, such as Advocate – applied monthly to your cat’s neck – and six monthly injections of Program, to prevent eggs hatching. If you’ve noticed the fleas have spread from your pet to your home, we’re able to provide environmental products that you can spray, lessening your cat’s burden and stopping them from scratching – putting their paws to better use on their favourite humans and food. We’re always here for advice – just ask!

Please note: Cats know better than anyone how to keep their coat looking its shiniest, so if you notice any changes – such as dry or matted fur – please book a consultation. This may be a sign of an underlying health condition that needs attention. We advise against bathing your cat, unless a toxic substance is present and advised to do so by a vet. If so, contact us immediately.

Neutering is a significant consideration for the welfare of your cat, as it not only prevents unwanted pregnancies – meaning less animals in shelters – but also provides a wealth of health and behavioural benefits.

Female Cats 

This can be performed from six months old and minimises the risk of mammary tumours and uterine infections.

Male Cats 

Neutering male cats makes them less prone to roaming outside and fighting with other animals, it reduces the risk of territorial marking and spraying behaviours indoors, and eliminates the risk of testicular cancer.

We understand concerns are a natural part of being a cat owner – but rest assured that we’ll give your pet the first-class treatment they deserve. We do pre-surgery blood tests and a health check, and the procedure itself is performed in an advanced operating theatre with state-of-the-art equipment. Pain relief will be administered before and after, as well as intravenous fluids. Before you know it, they’ll be back to their old, affectionate selves!

Cats are notoriously independent – except when it comes to cuddles – and after being neutered, it’s wise to limit their social interactions with fellow cats in the same household.

Cats are creatures of habit and feel most like themselves in a routine. Here’s so advice on common cat behaviours and situations:

Scratching: Instead of throwing out your worn-out furniture covered in scratch marks, invest in a scratching post or cat trees. This will make both parties happy.

Purring: The ultimate happy sound cats make. If you hear this, they’re content.

Toilet times: If you own more than one cat, make sure you have enough litter trays. We recommend one per cat plus an extra one, as this will keep your house clean, limit the stress levels of your cat – and you – and keep your felines fuss-free.

Play dates: There’s no such thing as a dog park for cats, and there’s a reason why. They’re solitary and territorial, and would rather they didn’t have to share or leave their favourite sun-soaked spot.

Introducing new cats: Once they get settled into their routine and blissful life with you, it gets more difficult to shake up things up with a new presence. If you plan on having more than one cat, try to introduce them as kittens, so they can bond and become best feline friends forever.

Separate food and watering areas for each cat: This will lessen the risk of fighting and territorial behaviour. They want a space that is theirs.

Hide-and-Seek: Cats love being cheeky, but their love of clever hiding spots and high places is much more than that – it’s how they feel safe and reduce their stress levels, while also allowing them to observe the world around them. Create spaces they can hide and thrive – they’ll love you even more than they already do!

A nose for scents: Catnip and cat grass are just two of the scents that positively affect your cat’s mood and behaviours and are particularly helpful in a multi-cat household.

Cats can’t brush their teeth like we can, so it’s up to you to keep their pearly whites healthy – it’s all part of being a loving pet parent. It’s best to start from when they’re a kitten to establish a dental routine from the get-go, and using positive reinforcement, brush their teeth daily at home and offer dental care dry food.

Your cat may also benefit from a professional scale and polish under general anaesthesia. This will be advised during your regular check-ups by your friendly vet. If you’d like to know more, please read about Claygate Vets’ dental care.

They lift our spirits and brighten the home, but many household plants are actually extremely toxic to cats – such as lillies, daffodils and tulips – as well as paracetamol and other common human medications or supplements, cleaning products, and car antifreeze.

Since they’re inquisitive by nature, we recommend identifying potential hazards and cat-proofing your home. This can include small objects that would cause immense pain and damage to the gastrointestinal tract, like needles, string, or rubber bands, resulting in emergency veterinary attention.

If you suspect your cat has ingested a toxic substance, please contact us immediately.

Early detection of underlying health problems is crucial, and by working in partnership with Claygate Vets, we can regularly monitor your cat’s weight to make sure they’re in purr-fect shape.

Book a consultation with one of our wonderful vets and we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about weight monitoring, from identifying a healthy body condition score and signs to watch out for, to strategies for diet, exercise, and weight loss or gain.