getting a kitten

Question
QUESTION: Hello. I am getting a kitten this coming week and i just have a couple of questions.
1. Are heart worms nesessaraly bad for my kitten, or affect it's health severly?
2. Is it alright to bathe my kitten very occasinally? Could i use my shampoo products or ones made just for kittens?

Thanks so much! -Liz

ANSWER: Hi Liz,

Heartworms are very bad for your kitten. They will kill her. Does she have heartworms? If she doesn't and you want to know if she needs the medicine for them you need to answer this; is she staying inside all the time? If she is, then no she doesn't need the medicine.

You can wash her occasionally. She may like it. What I do instead of getting my cats all wet is to use a facecloth and wet it with a little shampoo,(yes you can use yours), and wipe them down. Make sure the clothe isn't too soapy. Then I rinse them off the same way. My cats have no problem with this and I don't get any scratches. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank You so much Karen!
This has been very helpful.
  I do not think he has heartworms, becuase he is a baby kitten and is not a stray. He isn't staying outside becuase he is an indoor cat, so that's ok right?

My cousin's kitten actually does enjoy the water, wierdly enough. I guess i'll have to see.

Thank you for everything Karen!

- Goodbye and happy holidays!
   ~Liz

Answer
Hi Liz,

Sounds like you are doing fine there. I wouldn't worry about the heartworms.
Some cats like the water. They just don't like getting their faces wet. If you ever have any other questions write back. Good luck and happy holidays to you too.

Ciao, Karen