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KITTEN & CAT
HELPFUL INFORMATION
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to select the subject - Should You Get a Cat Selecting Your New Kitten - NEW 6/12/97 Now That You've Decided: Male or Female - Cat or Kitten - Updated 6/12/97 How Is The Coat Color Determined - NEW 6/12/97 How Can I Tell If A Kitten Is Well-Socialized? - NEW 6/12/97 Are These Actually The Kittens Parents? - NEW 6/12/97 At What Age Should Your Kitten Come Home - Updated 6/12/97 Responsible Breeders: What They Should Do and You Should Know Questions To Ask The Breeder - NEW 6/12/97 Questions The Breeder Should Ask You - NEW 6/12/97 The Trip Home - NEW 6/12/97 Now That We’re Home, What Should I Do First? - NEW 6/12/97 Who Should Care For The New Kitten? - NEW 6/12/97 The First Few Days with Your New Kitten Starting off with the Proper Diet - Updated 6/12/97 Litter Choices: Clay or Clumping Grooming, Brushing and Ear Cleaning Made Easy Safe Toys for your Kitten Entertainment for your Kitten - NEW 6/12/97 The Kitten CFA Registration Application - NEW 6/12/97 Introducing a New Kitten to an Older Cat or Dog - NEW 6/12/97 Divorce and Your Cat - NEW 6/12/97 Contacting a Breeder Via The Web - NEW 6/12/97 Parting Thoughts - Updated 6/12/97 Kittens Currently Available
Should You Get a Cat?
Keeping a regular vaccination schedule and feeding a quality food will ensure many happy / healthy years with your loyal companion.
Selecting Your New Kitten
Select a kitten that is playful and full of life, who doesn’t cower or run away when trying to be picked up. Emotionally happy kittens are ones who have been loved and held by their breeders and desire the human touch. Don’t accept a sickly or very small kitten that the breeder seems to push. Chances are there may possibly be unforeseen health problems, which is very unfair to you. Remember that the male kittens are usually, but not always, larger than the female kittens. This size difference may make the female kitten appear smaller in comparison, so keep this in mind when judging a kittens size and growth.
How Is The Coat Color Determined?
The beautiful color of your kitten was not a product of random chance, but predestined by the colors of it's sire and dam. Certain colors, patterns, or points can be known ahead of time, thus choosing the right combination of parents is essential.
The CFA publishes helpful information regarding colors, solids, patterns, and color points that can be very useful when determining the color of a kitten. Eye color, nose leather, and paw pads all play an important part in color determination, such as a male seal point and a female seal point can only produce male or female seal, blue, chocolate, or lilac pointed kittens. Certain colors are also sex linked such as a tortie, blue-cream, or chocolate-tortie being female 99.9% of the time.
Sometimes, sexing a kitten can be difficult, but knowing the color can aid you in determining it's sex by process of elimination.
How Can I Tell If A Kitten Is Well-Socialized?
Are These Actually The Kittens Parents?
One guide that is available and is not often known by many cat lovers is the "CFA Color Chart". This chart reveals what color combinations are possible when a pair of adult cats mate. Often new kitten owners only become familiar with this chart when they register their new kitten. Your registration may be refused in the event of an unacceptable color combination.
- Example: A male Seal point Himalayan is mated with a female Seal point Himalayan, you try to register a Flame point Himalayan kitten from these parents.
It is known that this mating will not produce a Flame point Himalayan and you registration will be refused. It is possible the breeder made a mistake when registering the litter or when deciding the color of the kitten. But, also remember that it is possible that a breeder may be trying to hide information they do not want to disclose. You will have to be the judge, but be sure to do your homework before selecting a breeder from which to purchase your kitten.
Now That You've Decided: Male or Female - Cat or Kitten?
This has to be one of the most frequently asked questions, male or female and who is more affectionate?
There is no one answer to this question because kittens, as with children, are all different with their own unique purr’sonalities. Males tend to be more affectionate, verbal and of course when older may spray or wander. Females are very loving, but a bit more independent than males. Females will go into heat at about 9 months of age, and during the heat comes calling and rolling. Either sex will make a wonderful pet, but these differences will become more noticeable as they grow into adult cats. For this reason the question of sex should be one of your main considerations when deciding upon the kitten you choose.
Spaying a young female will NOT make her lazy, fat, or mean. Neutering a male will NOT make him fat or lazy either, but simply removes the urge to spray and wander.
Male and female cats and kittens are all wonderful in their own special ways. Females can grow up to have kittens of their own, but the down side is that they go into heat regularly until bred or spayed. Males tend to be more affectionate and a bit more dependent on their owners. Males will become sexually active at about 10 months of age. They may mark their territory by "spraying", until they are neutered.
Kittens are so much fun to watch grow up, but I encourage each new owner to consider a second companion kitten. Two kittens get into a lot less mischief than one lonely kitten. A single kitten is bound to get into mischief out of boredom.
On the other hand adult cats can be a true joy. They have lived around people and could already be use to a normal household life. Once spayed or neutered, these loving companions can add joy and happiness to a family, child, or an elderly person.
If you haven't decided on a breed or if the expense of a purebred kitten is beyond your current budget, please consider adopting a cat or kitten from a local shelter. There are many loving and lovely cats in need of good homes who may make excellent family pets.
At What Age Should Your Kitten Come Home
Kittens, like children, all develop along their own individual time frames. Siblings usually show their abilities in different ways, such as eating, drinking, or using the litter pan ahead of the others. A kitten will usually let you know when it is ready to leave by way of it's socialization skills. Responsible breeders allow their kittens to go to their new homes between 8 to 12 weeks of age. This departure time depends solely upon the individual kittens growth and abilities. If you're used to seeing barely weaned kittens in pet stores, this might seem a bit too old; but it's actually a good age to make the transition into a new home. At this time, a kitten should be weaned, litter trained, and have been vaccinated at least once and will still have plenty kitten antics left.
A kitten requires time to learn these skills from it's mother and also to receive the necessary human interaction from it's experienced breeder. If a kitten is taken from it's mother too early, it is possible that the kitten could experience serious emotional, physical, or even a psychological illness. This in turn may carry over into it's adult life with possible discipline problems, eating disorders, or retreating from any form of human contact. Over-handling or mistreatment of a kitten at an early age could also cause these same reactions.
Responsible Breeders:
What They Should Do and You Should Know
Every responsible breeder should promote and raise happy-healthy kittens. These kittens should be loved and cuddled from their birth. It is commonly known and accepted that a kitten who has been handled and loved, grows up happier and better adjusted. Some also believe that a happy kitten is more likely to withstand disease.
When you buy a kitten from a responsible breeder, you can expect the breeder to sell you a kitten who is in good health and free from Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLv). A good breeder should encourage you to have your own veterinarian examine your kitten within a few days after its purchase to confirm its good health. They should also provide a written sales receipt accompanied by a health record with dates the shots were given. A responsible breeder should be interested in the welfare of every kitten produced and encourage you to call whenever you have questions or concerns.
Regular grooming and a nutritious diet will go a long way toward a kitten's development. At 7 to 8 weeks of age, a kitten should be veterinarian checked, wormed, weighed, and receive it's first kitten distemper shot. A responsible breeder should be willing to show the perspective owners their cattery and especially the parents of their kitten.
While no breeder can guarantee that your kitten will never have a medical problem, a responsible breeder's commitment to ethical, responsible breeding increases your chances of getting a healthy, well-adjusted kitten.
Questions To Ask The Breeder
Do you provide a health record? A responsible breeder will provide a health record with each kitten. They should also be willing to show you the vaccination records of their adult cats. If all of the adult cats are not vaccinated against FeLv, than the possibility of transmittal is conceivable. You should be on guard if a breeder is not willing to show you all the shot records of their breeder cats. Talk with you vet if you have additional questions in this matter.
What vaccinations has the kitten received? A responsible breeder will vaccinate the kitten at least once against Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper), Calicivirus and Rhinotracheitis. A second shot may have also been administered depending upon the kittens age.
How are the kittens raised? A responsible breeder puts careful thought and care into raising healthy, outgoing kittens, and should be happy to discuss their methods with you.
Can you provide references from people who have purchased kittens from you? A responsible breeder will be able to provide references, phone numbers and/or addresses, upon request.
Questions The Breeder Should Ask You
The Trip Home
A very unique way to introduce a kitten to your family is to place a personal clothing item from each family member into the carrier. The kitten will become acquainted to your families smells from a shirt, small towel, etc. This will comfort the kitten and help it become more familiar with its new human family.
Never allow a kitten to run loose in your vehicle as they will be absolutely terrified of all the new smells, movements, and sounds that could possibly cause you to have an automobile accident while trying to calm or catch the kitten.
Now That We’re Home, What Should I Do First?
Select a room of you home that will become your new kittens living area. For the first few weeks keep your kitten in a small room that is free of hazards, areas that may entrap them, and especially be free of chemicals. Make sure this area is where you want to keep the litter box for the future. It is best not to change the litter box from room to room as the cat may become confused and find other locations in your home to relieve itself. It is also best not to set-up more than one litter box, even if you have more than one cat. They are sociable creatures and will usually share the same litter box.
Be sure to completely clean this room before bringing your new kitten home so that the kittens area is dry and ready for a well deserved "cat nap" from the exciting drive home. Over the next few weeks let your kitten explore and become acquainted with new areas of your home one room at a time. It is not best to let your new kitten sleep with your children at first or even in their bedroom no matter how much they insist. There will be plenty of time for this after the kitten becomes familiar with your complete home and feels confident to find the litter box at night while the rest of his family sleeps.
Make sure if you have live plants in your home, that they are cat friendly and non-poisonous to your kitten. Contact your vet or garden center to make sure your plants are not poisonous to your cat.
Who Should Care For The New Kitten?
The First Few Days with Your New Kitten
Your kitten will run and play hard one minute, then sleep for two hours the next. The most important factor in your kitten's health is "YOU". A kitten needs lots of love and affection. A loved kitten is more resistant to diseases and is also better adjusted.
Keep your kitten on a regular diet of a quality low ash and low magnesium DRY food. A steady diet of wet food and/or table scraps can be hazardous to your pet's health and growth. Also, always keep your kitten's shots up to date.
Electrical cords are a real temptation to your kitten, so try to keep them out of reach of curious paws. If your kitten does get into mischief, correct him on the spot when he misbehaves. We have found that using a spray water bottle is the safest, best, and most humane deterrent to naughty behavior!
Your Kitten's Diet
Your kitten's first food is it's mother's milk. After five or six weeks, we introduce a high quality wet food into their diet. This will continue until the kitten can successfully chew dry food easily. A quality dry cat food such as SCIENCE DIET for your cats and kittens is a must, along with plenty of cold, fresh water. NEVER feed your cat table scraps, dog food, or bones. Kittens older than 7 weeks normally don’t require milk or dairy products that may produce diarrhea. It is much easier to wean a kitten off milk and onto wet food by introducing them to a gravy-styled wet food, such as chicken in gravy. Mash up the pieces of chicken and put a small amount on your finger. The kitten soon figures out that the chicken is food and good to eat! Eventually wean your kitten onto a quality dry food, low in ash and magnesium. By keeping these two low, you can help prevent urinary tract problems in your kitten.
At ten to twelve weeks, your kitten should be on a quality DRY food only. ALWAYS provide your new kitten clean, cold water to drink. Water is best served and will stay colder longer in a ceramic or crockery dish.
Litter Choices: Clay or Clumping
Litter is a matter of choice, however this breeder has found that clay litter works best in a multi-cat household. Clay litter bought in bulk is fairly inexpensive and doesn't spread all over the floor. Clumping litter is a finer sand that is easily removed from the litter pan. Cats seem to track it easier onto the floor as it does pack into their paws and in between their toes.
Grooming, Brushing, and Ear Cleaning Made Easy
Your kitten, by it's very nature, is a very clean creature. If you do need to bathe your kitten, make sure to use a mild baby shampoo with a conditioner. Make sure you rinse ALL the soap out of their coat. This will enable you to easily run a comb through your kitten's coat once it is dry.
Cleaning your kitten's eyes with a wet cotton ball should be done at least once a day. Gently clean the ears with a cotton ball and baby oil once a week or as needed. If a dark, smelly residue builds up in the ear, veterinarian care should be sought.
Combing your cat DAILY will produce a lovely coat, free of ticks and fleas. A fine toothed comb does an excellent job, as does the newest comb out, "The Untangler". The teeth actually rotate and help to comb mats out easier.
Safe Toys for your Kitten
Toys for your kitten can be very inexpensive. A paper bag is pure joy to an inquisitive kitten. Also, a tightly rolled up ball of aluminum foil is great fun. Toys with strings or feathers should be put away after using them, or else they might get eaten when your back is turned!
Ice cubes in your kitten's water bowl provides a lot of entertainment and also keeps their water cold. Toys with glued or sewn on parts should be avoided as they could become detached and be a hazard to your pet.
Entertainment For Your Kitten
One of the best forms of entertainment for your cat is your window sill. The outside sunshine, street noise and soft breeze will provide hours of entertainment for your pet. Birds and squirrels furnish the opportunity for your feline to go On-the-Hunt in their mind while watching the antics of the outdoor creatures.
Smaller kittens love a small rubber or plastic ball, and something as simple as a tightly rolled up ball of aluminum foil will provide hours of fun. A round plastic ring with a small ball inside provides instant fun and also great exercise for the inquisitive kitten.
The Kitten CFA Registration Application
When you pick-up your kitten, you will receive its health/vaccination record, a "CFA Cat Registration Application", and a written sales receipt. To register your kitten, you will need to fill out the registration form, and send it, with the proper fee (currently $7.00 US), to the CFA. Your breeder will complete Section D and E of this registration. Please note: if you purchase a pet quality kitten for companionship only, then the breeder will mark and sign the appropriate box in Section E that states "This cat MAY NOT be used for breeding."
If you would like to breed your cat sometime in the future, be sure to discuss this with your breeder from the beginning, so that the breeder will be able to help you select the proper kitten for breeding. Not every kitten is suited for breeding and special care should be exercised when selecting a breeder. In this case, your breeder will mark and sign the appropriate box in Section E that states "This cat MAY be used for breeding." Be sure to double check this section before you leave the cattery. An incorrect marking may cause a delay or rejection when trying to register a future litter of kittens with the CFA.
Introducing a New Kitten to an Older Cat or Dog
Most often a young kitten will blend nicely with other family pets, usually becoming the boss of the team as only an adorable kitten can do. There may possibly be some hissing, spitting and general resentment from the other pets in the beginning, so closely monitor their time together until you are comfortable that everyone is excepting each other. Make sure you give extra attention to the older pets who might be feeling left out during this introduction period.
Divorce and Your Cat
This may sound like a strange topic when discussing cats and kittens, but just as a divorce places stress on family members, it also affects your pets. Many people wonder why their cat suddenly stops using the litter pan, instead relieving themselves in their owners beds, bathroom tubs, etc. When changes occur in the household and the cat doesn’t see someone they have come to love, this unusual behavior often happens. It takes a lot of love and understanding on the part of the owners to realize this a very emotional time for their feline family member too.
Often, when a family member goes off to college or moves out, this can also have a profound effect upon your cat. Sulking, hiding, and even refusing to eat are all documented emotional side effects. If possible, have the absent member visit with the cat, as often as possible, to help continue to be a part of your pets life. You must consider your cat just as you would a child in this circumstance. Remember they have feelings and express love just as a human.
Contacting A Breeder Via The Web
If you do not have a local breeder that has the color or breed of kitten you prefer, then a WEB search may be in order. If you find a breeder who has a Cattery Web page, read it from beginning to end. Concerned breeders who take the time and expense to introduce you to their cattery and their breeding philosophy through their Web page, should be ready to answer your other questions via E-Mail. Please be sure to ask questions that have not already been covered on the Cattery WEB Page.
Many breeders will include their phone number on their WEB page. Please realize, that in most cases, due to the huge expense, it is impossible for the breeder to return every phone message left on their recorder. A breeder would quickly have to close their cattery if they were to return calls from every visitor who had a question.
It would be to your advantage, if you would like to talk with the breeder, to E-Mail them first and ask what would be a good time of day to call. Some breeders may even be able to Web Chat if you both have that capability. The Web is an excellent medium to help you in your cattery research before you decide on a particular cattery to visit. Remember to bookmark their location and take notes as you read through their pages.
If you are interested in purchasing a kitten, be sure to tell the breeder what city and state you reside in. Some breeders may not ship kittens while others will. The breeders location should be one of your first concerns before you contact them for kitten information. Please decide first if you are willing to drive to the breeders location to view or purchase a kitten if the breeder does not ship.
Parting Thoughts
This information has been presented as the result of many years of personal experience, research, and consultation with veterinarians and other cat lovers. I have sought to provide a common sense approach to the health and care of your feline friend. This information does not in any way replace qualified advice or the necessary veterinarian care or instruction your cat may require.
Please bookmark this page and check back from time to time as I have other new topics to present. My site is always under construction as it's editor continues to learn new programing. I thank you for reviewing my page and hope that it has been helpful in your search for kitten or cat information. If you have gained any additional knowledge that will benefit your cat, then my goal has been met.
I invite your opinion or suggestions as to the content or design of this page. If there is a subject that I have not covered and you feel would benefit other cat lovers, please E-mail me your suggestion. Also, please sign my "Guest Book" before your departure.
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The Cat Lady
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