Vital nutrients to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health
Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Small & Mini dry dog food is tailored nutrition for Small & Mini dogs while being gentle on stomachs. Nourishes skin & promotes a lustrous coat.
Advanced nutrition to support hip & joint health from day 1
Supports brain health and beautiful fur in mature cats
Over 70% of cats lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Gourmet daily nutrition, carefully made. Tasty chunks with chicken & beef in a decadent gravy. Supports digestive health, nourishes skin and promotes a lustrous fur.
Discover how and where to store your dry, as well as canned, dog and cat food. Learn how to find the "best before" dates on all Hill's pet food packaging.
Learn what a pet's microbiome is, how it contributes to your pet's gut & overall health, and why nutrition is important in maintaining healthy microbiomes.
Discover why water is the most important nutrient for your dog or cat to live a healthy life. Find out how much water your pet should consume each day.
Every new kitten owner wants their cuddly new companion to grow into a healthy, happy cat. So it's important that you play a part in ensuring your kitten stays in good health. For example, correct feeding and completing the first course of vaccinations are essential for her to thrive. But also in that first year, pay regular visits to your vet for check-ups. That way, you can rest assured that your kitten is growing and developing to her full potential.
The right diet, regular grooming and clean, comfortable living conditions should keep your kitten's coat and skin healthy. But unfortunately, kittens (just like adult cats) can suffer from skin conditions. Their hair can become dull, and may fall out, or their skin can become red, itchy and sore. The causes of these conditions vary, from sensitivity to a particular food, insect bites, allergies, mites, parasites, or even over-grooming.
Fleas
Some kittens develop an allergy to flea saliva; this is known as "flea-bite hypersensitivity" or flea allergy. If your kitten has this condition, she'll come out in itchy, crusty spots on her skin. And a single flea bite can cause a condition known as "miliary dermatitis" with the same unpleasant symptoms. If you notice any of these signs in your kitten, contact your vet right away and you'll be prescribed something to relieve the irritation and most importantly something to get rid of the fleas.
No, Ringworm isn't a parasite; it's the name given to a fungal condition that brings a kitten's skin out in a circular rash. Ringworm can be passed from cat to cat but also from cat to human. It's not easy to spot, so if you only have a suspicion that your kitten has a coat or skin problem, it's best to get in touch with your vet.
Regular, gentle handling of your kitten, and especially her ears, will enable you to check them for problems without alarming her. And if your kitten does have a problem, you'll soon know about it. Firstly, her ear will be lowered, and she'll be likely to shake her head quite a lot, too. Also, if you happen to notice any grey or dark brown dry or waxy deposits, they're a sure sign of mites. Happily, they can be easily treated by your vet.
As you'd expect, your kitten's eyes should be clear and bright, with no discharge. Any stickiness in her eyes could be the result of an infection. Bathe the discharge from your kitten's eyes regularly, using a solution of warm water and salt (about a teaspoon to a pint is a good guide). Because the infection could have many causes it's best to take your kitten to the vet.
Sneezing can also be a sign of upper respiratory disease, often called 'cat flu', so if you notice anything more than the occasional sneeze, a visit to the vet is advised.
But it's also worth remembering that sneezing could be the result of pollen inhalation, a blade of grass or grass seed, dust, household sprays or cigarette smoke.
One of our staff authors prepared this article for you
Over 70% of cats lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Supports brain health and beautiful fur in mature cats
Hill's Science Diet's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome
Gourmet daily nutrition, carefully made. Tasty chunks with chicken & beef in a decadent gravy. Supports digestive health, nourishes skin and promotes a lustrous fur.
Cats are naturally very clean and chances are your kitten will already have learned how to use the litter box from her mother before she comes to live with you.
Discover how to train your cat, starting with very basic first steps that both reward good behavior and discourage the bad.
When you adopt a cat, you don't just gain a best friend; you also save her life. Here's why getting a cat from a local animal shelter makes so much sense.
Discover the benefits of Hill's line of kitten foods and how they provide complete and balance nutrition for growing kittens.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.