Kitten First-Year Guide in Daly City

Welcome to St. Francis Veterinary Hospital. Bringing a new kitten home in Daly City is an exciting experience, and there is a lot to think about during those first twelve months. This first-year guide walks you through what we recommend for every kitten, from the first wellness visit and vaccinations to nutrition, parasite prevention, litter box training, indoor safety, and local health considerations throughout Daly City and the San Francisco Bay Area.

St. Francis Veterinary Hospital
2201 Junipero Serra Blvd, Suite C
Daly City, CA 94014
Phone: (650) 994-8670
Email: hello@stfrancisveterinaryhospital.com

Our team is here to help your kitten get the healthiest possible start in life.

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Bringing Your Kitten Home

Before They Arrive

Cats settle better when they have a quiet, defined space to start with rather than the run of the whole house on day one. Set up a small room or large bathroom with a litter box, food and water bowls, a comfortable bed, hiding spots, and a scratching post. Remove or secure anything that could be chewed and swallowed, especially string, ribbon, hair ties, and rubber bands.

Choose a veterinarian before pickup day so you have somewhere to call with questions. We recommend scheduling your kitten’s first wellness visit within 72 hours of bringing them home.

Schedule your kitten’s first visit at St. Francis Veterinary Hospital.

The First Week

Let your kitten set the pace of exploration. Most kittens spend the first day or two hiding, then begin venturing out as they realize the space is safe. Resist the temptation to pull them out from under furniture. Quiet observation, food at predictable times, and gentle play sessions help your kitten settle within a week.

During this first week, watch for signs that warrant a same-day call to our clinic:

Refusing food for more than 24 hours
Repeated vomiting
Watery diarrhea
Straining to urinate

Male kittens straining to urinate is a medical emergency and should be addressed immediately.

At-a-Glance Vaccine Schedule

We follow a vaccination schedule designed to protect kittens from common and potentially serious illnesses. FeLV vaccination is recommended for kittens with outdoor exposure, and rabies vaccination is required by California law.

We discuss every vaccine recommendation at your visit and answer questions about why each one matters.

Important Note on Lifestyle Vaccines

For kittens, the most important lifestyle vaccine is FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus). This virus is spread through close contact between cats and remains a significant health concern for outdoor and free-roaming cats throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

We generally recommend FeLV vaccination for:

Outdoor cats
Indoor/outdoor cats
Cats with future outdoor access
Cats living with unknown-status cats

Our veterinarians will discuss your kitten’s lifestyle and make recommendations tailored to their risk level.

Spay and Neuter

Spaying and neutering your kitten helps prevent unwanted litters, reduces the risk of certain diseases, and may decrease unwanted behaviors such as spraying and roaming.

Most kittens are spayed or neutered between 5 and 6 months of age.

St. Francis Veterinary Hospital performs spay and neuter procedures on-site with:

Pre-surgical bloodwork
IV fluid therapy
Advanced anesthesia monitoring
Comprehensive pain management

Learn more about surgical services at St. Francis Veterinary Hospital.

Nutrition for Your Kitten’s First Year

Cats are obligate carnivores and require nutrients found in animal-based proteins to thrive. Proper nutrition during the first year plays a vital role in healthy growth and development.

General recommendations include:

Feeding a diet formulated for kittens
Looking for an AAFCO nutritional statement
Providing adequate taurine intake
Offering appropriate meal frequency based on age
Monitoring growth and body condition

If you have questions about your kitten’s diet, growth, or nutritional needs, our team is happy to help.

Learn more about nutrition counseling at St. Francis Veterinary Hospital.

Parasites: What to Know

Even indoor kittens can be exposed to parasites. We recommend parasite screening and prevention beginning at your kitten’s first wellness visit.

Common concerns include:

Roundworms
Hookworms
Fleas
Ear mites
Giardia
FIV and FeLV exposure

Routine testing and preventive care help keep your kitten healthy while protecting other pets in the household.

Litter Box Success

Most litter box issues are not behavioral. They often indicate a medical issue, environmental stressor, or litter box setup concern.

Helpful guidelines include:

One litter box per cat, plus one extra
Using unscented clumping litter
Providing quiet, accessible locations
Scooping daily
Keeping litter boxes clean

If your kitten suddenly stops using the litter box, strains to urinate, or shows blood in the urine, contact St. Francis Veterinary Hospital at (650) 994-8670 immediately.

Socialization and Cooperative Care

Early positive experiences help shape your kitten’s confidence and comfort level throughout life.

Focus on:

Gentle daily handling
Carrier training
Positive introductions to people and pets
Exposure to normal household sounds
Reward-based interactions

Building these habits early helps make future veterinary visits, grooming appointments, and travel much less stressful.

Play, Enrichment, and Safety

Kittens require daily mental and physical stimulation.

Healthy enrichment includes:

Wand toys
Puzzle feeders
Climbing structures
Scratching posts
Interactive play sessions

Avoid dangerous items such as:

String
Ribbon
Yarn
Hair ties
Rubber bands

These items can cause serious intestinal obstructions requiring emergency surgery.

Foreign Body Ingestion Hazards

Cats are particularly vulnerable to swallowing linear foreign bodies such as:

String
Ribbon
Dental floss
Yarn
Tinsel

Never pull a string hanging from your cat’s mouth or rectum.

If you suspect your kitten has swallowed a foreign object, contact St. Francis Veterinary Hospital immediately at (650) 994-8670.

Common signs of an intestinal blockage include:

Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Lethargy
Abdominal pain
Constipation

Learn more about emergency and urgent care.

Holiday and Household Hazards

Several common household items can be extremely dangerous to cats.

Important hazards include:

Lilies
Essential oils
Acetaminophen
Cleaning products
Chocolate
Onions and garlic
Grapes and raisins
Alcohol

If you suspect your kitten has been exposed to a toxin, contact St. Francis Veterinary Hospital immediately at (650) 994-8670 or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Grooming Basics

Establishing grooming routines early helps kittens become comfortable with handling.

Recommended grooming practices include:

Weekly brushing
Regular nail trims
Routine ear checks
Early toothbrushing training

Our team can also discuss professional grooming options when needed.

Local Health Notes

Daly City and the surrounding San Francisco Bay Area present unique health considerations for cats.

These include:

FeLV exposure in outdoor cat populations
Coyote activity throughout coastal areas
Tick exposure on local trails
High-rise syndrome in apartment buildings
Toxic landscaping plants
Wildlife-related disease exposure

We strongly recommend keeping cats indoors whenever possible and providing safe alternatives such as catios or supervised outdoor enrichment.

Low-Stress Veterinary Visits

Carrier Training

Carrier training is one of the best ways to reduce stress during veterinary visits. Leave the carrier accessible at home and make it a positive, familiar environment.

In the Clinic

Our St. Francis Veterinary Hospital team uses low-stress feline handling techniques specifically designed to help kittens and cats feel safe and comfortable during veterinary visits.

Happy Visits

Happy visits allow kittens to visit the hospital for treats, positive interactions, and weight checks without receiving treatment.

Call (650) 994-8670 to schedule a happy visit.

When to Contact Us

If you have questions about your kitten’s health, contact: