About to adopt my first cat - what medicines should I buy ahead of time?

What conditions are common enough that I should assume that my cat will have them at some point? I'm thinking about ear mite treatments, pain killers, respiratory medicine, and UTI medicine. Is there anything else I should be considering?

Thanks!

I have six cats and do not have any medications at home for them. They are rarely ever ill, and therefore only get medication that is prescribed and provided by a vet when they need it.

I would suggest having a hairball paste on hand, but other than that, you honestly should never medicate without seeing a vet FIRST.

Cats, in general, I think tend to stay pretty healthy. Once you have brought a new cat home, the first thing you should do is take it to the vet for its shots and an overall health check, then just follow the instructions you are given with regard to the first sets of shots and any required follow up.

Best of luck with your new addition!

Originally Posted by GingersMom

I have six cats and do not have any medications at home for them. They are rarely ever ill, and therefore only get medication that is prescribed and provided by a vet when they need it.

I would suggest having a hairball paste on hand, but other than that, you honestly should never medicate without seeing a vet FIRST.

Cats, in general, I think tend to stay pretty healthy. Once you have brought a new cat home, the first thing you should do is take it to the vet for its shots and an overall health check, then just follow the instructions you are given with regard to the first sets of shots and any required follow up.

Best of luck with your new addition!

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I totally agree with this, as I have 4 and they don't get sick very often. When they have had medical conditions they go to the vet. I just wanted to add, that keeping the cat completely indoors will keep it healthy. Outside kitties can come into contact with poisonous substances, and other sick animals.

Congratulations on deciding to adopt a cat! I have four at the moment (I say that because I never know when I go for #5). I don't keep any stock medicine in the house either. The vet will set you up with anything if your cat develops a specific problem. One important thing is to obtain a list of medicines and foods that are harmful to cats. My vet gave me a list, (who knew garlic was dangerous? I cook with it all the time, just can't share my spaghetti with the kitties). Thank you for adopting a cat. It's such a rewarding experience and I think you'll both be happy.

You don't need medications, that's too touchy of an area in cats to treat yourself. But some basic first aid supplies for both you and your cat are a good idea. There was recently a thread about it if you want some stuff listed.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

You don't need medications, that's too touchy of an area in cats to treat yourself. But some basic first aid supplies for both you and your cat are a good idea. There was recently a thread about it if you want some stuff listed.

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I have meds at home but only after talking with my vet and I DO NOT use them without discussing it with her first ... I have chronic issues in my house

Another thing for a first time cat owner. If you're adopting from a decent shelter, see if they have any basic care information for you and if those there with cat experience will chat a little. And of course, chatting with your vet and vet techs - no matter how silly the questions you may ask seem, is a good way to learn.

Never give a cat meds without discussing it with your vet, or not until you are very experienced and then probably only for any chronic conditions that may emerge. And do not buy OTC wormers or flea treatments - they can be dangerous. The only thing I would do is make sure you have some good antiseptic solution in the house in case of scratches - for you or the cat LOL!, cotton wool and plasters (in this case for you). If you decide to clip the cat's claws, get a vet or professional groomer to show you how, and buy a good quality clipper. A flea comb and grooming brush are good ideas too. Later, as you get more experienced and used to handling your cat, you may want to get a digital thermometer, though again using one is not something I would advise for a novice.

There are one or two things, like claw trimming and teeth cleaning, which are easy if started young and awful if left till later. So you could also invest in a toothbrush and cleaner for cats and avoid expensive dental treatment later. Also. there are many jokes about how difficult it is to pill a cat, but mine are all easy to do because as kittens I got them used to having little things popped into their mouths. So you could do this with kibble or tiny morsels of treats. Again, get a vet to show you and then you and the cat can practise pilling together. You will thank your lucky stars you did, if the cat ever needs a pill ( and it will, at some stage).

There are a number of preventive things you should do - cats will get into cupboards and drawers, so make sure you lock any cleaning materials away. I do not use bleach cleaners on floors as they can lick it off their paws. Toilet cleaners too can be dangerous, especially if you get a cat who likes to drink from the bowl, and many do. I only use ecological cleaners and keep the lid down, though it is hard to get guests to do this all the time. ANd check all your house plants against the poisonous list, as many cats love to play and nibble on them.

Good luck.

If the cat will go outside, or has ear mites when you get it, having mineral oil around isn't a bad idea since you can use small amounts of it to clear the infestation. Other than that, they're not likely to be exposed, so you shouldn't need that or anything else either around for ear mites.

If you get a flea collar, put it in your vacuum cleaner, not on the cat.

If your cat will go outside or have any other chance to pick up fleas, the anti-flea treatments that vets sell are a worthwhile thing to have on hand and use as directed. The ones off the supermarket shelf are crap that either don't work or give some cats bad reactions. Even if your cat won't go outside, doing flea treatments for 1-2 months isn't a bad idea to make sure he/she doesn't bring fleas into your house.

If your cat's already been treated for anything or has a history, shop for that...otherwise, your cat probably won't need those things. Spend the extra money on good quality food.

Given there aren't OTC meds for kitties that get colds like there are for people, it's much more important to let a vet make the decision (as everyone has pointed out).

I think it's great you're thinking ahead though!

I'd spend some time here, learning about what common things around your house could be very harmful to your kitty. A lot of common houseplants are poisonous to cats, and things like aspirin can kill them too. It's always good to know things like they begin teething around 4 months and how to handle that (behavior forum), and to know that male cats have smaller urethras than females, so how to provide a proper diet to help prevent urinary tract infections or the formation of crystals in their urine (which is a common problem) is important (health forum)... let's see... knowing stuff like cats are GREAT at hiding pain and illness, so being observant of changes in behavior is often the only way to know your cat is even ill could be important...

...of course, most of us learned all this stuff as we went along, so kitties usually survive even the formerly uneducated!

I normally don't keep meds around, but there has been some stuff that I've accumulated.

Nail clips [if you are comfortable with doing it and know how] are essential if your kitty is indoors.

I also have some ear cleaning solution at hand, mainly because Milo had ear mites when I first adopted him. Plus, it's not a bad idea to clean your cat's ears often.

Anti-flea treatments are almost a must if your cat goes outdoors, or if he has contact with any other animal that goes outdoors [dogs and the like.] H2O2 is good for cleansing any scratches that you or your cat may recieve.

Unless there is an underlying condition, you should not have to buy any meds in advance. Ask your vet for advice, and the person/shelter you're getting your new cat from.

Also, handle your cat frequently. By that, I mean do it in a way that the vet may handle him. Try to have him used to having his paws touched and his claws expressed, and his ears messed with. Also, try getting him used to having his mouth opened by you, so that if you ever need to give him a pill later he won't go crazy with fright.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by Fiddledee

Anti-flea treatments are almost a must if your cat goes outdoors, or if he has contact with any other animal that goes outdoors [dogs and the like.]

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I think we'd all hope you decide to have your kitty be an indoor-only cat, but on the off-chance... I think it's been said here before, but it's worth reiterating. Any flea, tick, or de-worming meds you can buy in a pet store or supermarket are NOT worth it and may kill your cat. Advantage, Advantage Plus, Frontline or Revolution are the only flea/tick things that should be used on your cat, and they are available at vets or by prescription only. If your cat has internal parasites, it is important that the vet determine what kind and provide the correct medication for that parasite. Almost all internal parasites require several rounds of treatment, because other than tape worm, I think all of them only kill the adult, so at least two rounds of meds (so larvae can become adult) is required for most other types.

Originally Posted by LDG

I think we'd all hope you decide to have your kitty be an indoor-only cat, but on the off-chance... I think it's been said here before, but it's worth reiterating. Any flea, tick, or de-worming meds you can buy in a pet store or supermarket are NOT worth it and may kill your cat. Advantage, Advantage Plus, Frontline or Revolution are the only flea/tick things that should be used on your cat, and they are available at vets or by prescription only. If your cat has internal parasites, it is important that the vet determine what kind and provide the correct medication for that parasite. Almost all internal parasites require several rounds of treatment, because other than tape worm, I think all of them only kill the adult, so at least two rounds of meds (so larvae can become adult) is required for most other types.

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Yes, getting them from a vet is a must. However, [at least in my state] Frontline and Advantage are not prescription. There still are dosages given by the vet, but you can go to any vet clinic to purchase, not specifically yours. Again, this may not be your state, but that's what it's like in mine.

Also, over the counter stuff contains pyrethrins, which about 50% of fleas are now immune to, plus many of them have the potential to be harmful to the cat.

And if there is any internal parasites, then leave that to the vet. I [and many other people] don't trust OTC stuff for parasites.