CARING FOR YOUR NEW KITTEN

               Before you pick up kitty:

BABY PROOF:You'll want to baby proof your home. Just like human babies, kittens like to put things into their mouth. Get down low and scope out your home for potential dangers. Look for small debris that may be hidden off in a corner like buttons, beads, tiny toy accessories, rubber bands, tinsel, and loose wires. Also make sure you don't have any poisonous plants or household cleaners accessible. Remember: onions, chocolate, garlic, grapes, raisins, spices, and macadamia nuts are human foods that are toxic to cats.

BUY SUPPLIES: You'll want to have a pet carrier to bring your new kitty home and also to take it to all its veterinarian or groomer visits. And of course you will want a litter box, litter, kitten food, food & water dishes, toys, treats, kitty shampoo, a comb and/or brush, and unless you want your vet to do it, you'll want a handy nail clipper. Only feed your kitten food for kittens and never feed your kitten milk.

TALK TO KIDS: If you have children or grandchildren etc. be sure to educate them on caring for a tiny delicate kitten. Allowing children to prepare for a kitten is a good idea. Let them help pick out supplies and names and maybe getting a little bed ready for kitty will help small children understand kitty will need sleep.

MAKE A VET APPT:  Your kitten will be evaluated by our veterinarian and have age appropriate immunizations and worming, but it is always a good idea to make a new kitty check-up appt. for your kitten right away if you have any concearns about health before our guarantee expires. Your new kitten may also be ready for his/or next immunizations.

                      Your first days together:

When you get home with your new kitten it is generally a good idea to place your kitty carrier in a quiet room with all the kittens needs and allow the kitten to come out and venture on its own and in its own pace. Allow the kitten to become use to its new surroundings before introducing to other pets. Try to keep the kitten in a stress free enviroment for some time. Their will be plenty of time for cuddling and bonding as soon as kitty feels safe and secure in your care. Some kittens may hide for a day and this is normal. Don't worry, he will come around.

Once kitty is feeling comfortable with you, be sure to cuddle, play, and bond with kitty as much as possible. Show children how to handle the kitten and be sure they know that kittens are not little dollies, but living creatures that can be harmed very easily. Kittens wear out very fast after playing and need plenty of sleep. Kittens generally need about 16 hours of sleep a day as their little bodies are working on overtime to grow. Be sure to introduce kitty to other pets slowly and supervised. Only a little interaction at a time is good. It is important to get your kitten use to having its ears and mouth checked regularly so it is cooperative with your vet and grooming. Start this early. And last but not least, don't be afraid to make some noise around kitty. i.e. vacuuming.. you don't want kitty being a scardy cat:-) I generally turn on my vacuum in short intervals once in a while to start getting them used to it.

       Remember... an indoor cat is a safe cat!

       KITTENS AREN'T JUST CUTE LITTLE

                            FLUFFBALLS.....

       They have three main developmental needs:

         Instinctual Needs              Physical Needs          Emotional Needs

           Privacy                              Nutrition                    Independence

           Scratching                         Excercise                   Bonding & Treats

           Hunting/toys                     Hygiene                      Interaction

                                                   Stimulation

                                                      Rest

                                                     Safety               

Caring for and respecting all your kittens needs at a young age will ensure a life-long bond and healthy development ~ creating a healthy and happy cat.

DISCIPLINE  

Discipline is a very important factor in developing the trust between you and your cat. Never strike your pet. Persians especially are very trusting animals and any blow or feeling of hurt can break their confidence in your love and create a scared and hiding and biting cat who is always on the defense. When your kitty is doing something unacceptable, simply say a stern "NO" or loud noise or make the famous "Pssst" noise. Trust me, they will learn. Unlike our human free-will, animals are driven by God given instincts. They never purposely try to disobey you. They simply need to learn what is acceptable, and what is not.