Hill’s report puts evidence-based kitten care in focus

Hill’s Pet Nutrition has released its first World of the Kitten Report, an evidence-based guide aimed at veterinary teams, shelters, caregivers, and pet parents during a kitten’s first year. The report, authored by feline specialist Lisa Restine, DVM, DABVP (Feline), with support from International Cat Care and Hill’s Cat Advisory Team, frames kittenhood as a full 12-month pediatric window and highlights nutrition, socialization, vaccination timing, gut health, and early sterilization as core priorities. Among the notable takeaways: support for a 26-week vaccine booster in line with AAHA/AAFP guidance, emphasis on complete-and-balanced growth diets, caution around raw and homemade feeding, and endorsement of “Fix by Five” spay/neuter timing. (prnewswire.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the report gives clinics a current, client-friendly framework for preventive kitten care that goes beyond the initial vaccine series. Its recommendations reinforce established guidance on nutrition and vaccination, while also giving practices talking points on food selection, early-life behavior, sterilization timing, and shelter/foster support during kitten season. That may help teams standardize kitten protocols, improve compliance, and address common pet parent questions earlier in care. (prnewswire.com)

What to watch: Expect follow-on education and marketing around kitten protocols, especially as clinics and shelters head deeper into kitten season and weigh how closely to align care pathways with the report’s recommendations. (prnewswire.com)