Information
Bringing Home Your New Kitten/Cat
I am often asked the following questions so I decided to add this to my website. I will be updating adding and deleting information as new products and/or infor- mation become available. The following are suggestions or what I have found beneficial.
First and really important - Print a list of foods, household products and plants that are toxic to cats.
In addition - Do NOT use Flea and Tick products that are made for dogs. All but 1 brand are fatal to cats. Yes, deadly. I have personally several fatalities while waiting in the veterinarian's office for kitty checkups and it is very, very upsetting for the owners, staff and me not to mention the poor cat/kitten.
Do NOT let your kitty outside unprotected. It is very dangerous. Cars, other animals, poisons and insecticides just to name a few dangers. Cats constantly groom, whatever is on their paws go into their bodies.
Some kittens will chew on electrical cords when they start teething (adult teeth come in around 5-6 months). Bitter Apple is a great spray with a really bitter taste. Works for plants too. Large plastic tubing to go over wires are another idea.
Get your pet spayed/neutered between 5-8 months of age. No later than 8 unless there is a health issue which the cat would be under veterinarian care. Males and females will spray once the hormones hit. Females can get open or closed pyometra and it can be fatal. Males can become aggressive or loose weight and coat. Both can get stud tail.
Do NOT get the FIP vaccination. Just don't.
Get the Rabies Purevax. It is a safer vaccination.
I. Supplies
a. Litterboxes
At least 2 Litterboxes (No cover) at least a foot or more deep.
You can get a plastic tub from WalMart and cut an opening at one end.
Allow at least 8" above the bottom when you cut.
Dump the enough litter to fill the tub, between 1/3 and 1/2 full of litter.
Sterilize with ¼ cup of vinegar or Clorox with hot water to the top and
let completely sun dry or air dry weekly. If you use World's Best,
sterilize the box and I keep using the litter for about 3 weeks.
Do NOT place litterbox near the cat/kitten’s water or food.
b. Kitty Litter
Kitten – Non clumping. World’s Best (it will clump but it
will not choke), Fresh Step Clay Litter and Special Kitty
Clay Litter.
This is VERY important. DO NOT use clumping litter until the Kitten is at least 8 months old. Kittens tend to eat and play with things that they should not. If your kitten eats clumping litter, they kitten could suffocate when the litter clumps in its throat. World’s Best Litter has advertised that this will not happen with their brand because it does clump and it will dissolve.
Adult – World’s Best, Fresh Step, Special Kitty. I use World's Best and it is flush-able according to the company. I have septic tank and I have not had a problem flushing it down.
c. Feeding Dishes 3 – 6 Stainless steel dishes.
Do not use plastic, it can cause sores and bacteria build up. I keep two sets because I wash one set daily. I use the following from Revival:
Water 6" Puppy pan 18320-691 $2.99
Dry Food 6" Puppy pan 18320-691 $2.99
Wet Food 12 oz Durapet SS Cat Dish 18326-209 $4.99
d. Carrier
Hard carrier - provides the most protection but heavier to carry. I prefer
the ones that open at the top and front and bolts that hold the top and
bottom together NOT clamps. The clamps can pop off and the carrier's
bottom will drop off with your pet.
Soft carrier - I use Sturdi size - Large. They are nicely made and come
in really nice colors and designs. The large will go under the seat if you
need to fly with your cat. Usually a Sturdi Rep is at most cat shows or
you can order online. I also like the carriers they sell at the airports
when they have them in stock.
Sturdi carries show crates. These are nice for restricting movement
after the neuter/spay or if your pet travels with you on vacation. I use
a plastic covered storage box for the litter. Only use the cover when
transporting it.
Don't forget to put a towel or a disposable pad in the bottom of your carrier. Some pets may get motion sickness or have and accident. Cats are really good about trying to stay away from any mess they make. They will try to cover it. I like to put a disposable pad down and cut one in half to go on top of it.
II. Food
a. Food - Dry - Free feed
Kittens - Royal Canin Baby Cat or Iams Kitten
Adults (starting at 8 mos) – Purina ProPlan Chicken and Rice, Purina
ProPlan Hairball or Royal Canin Maine Coon.
b. Food –Wet – About 3-5 oz servings is one serving,
twice a day.
Kittens/Cats like people, are what they eat. No gravies unless they
are made without glutens. I do not feed more than 4 servings of fish
per week due to high mercury in seafood.
I feed both my kittens and adults Blue Ridge Kitten Grind Raw Meat
with their canned food. This is an excellent source of protein. Ask
Blue Ridge about any supplements needed. Cats/kittens must have
taurine and salmon oil in their diet.
Contact information:
https://bestinshownaturals.com/ ,
Best in Show Naturals
14725 K, Flint Lee Rd,
Chantilly, VA 20151. They will ship.
(571) 266-9341
Kittens – Pate only - Purina ProPlan Kitten, Royal Canin Baby Cat
and/or Kitten Sheba.
Adults - Dave’s, Evo, Great Life, Merrick, Purina ProPlan, Sheba,
Taste of the Wild, Versus and Weruva.
c. Treats - Try to stay healthy. I use dehydrated chicken.
Usually you can find them in the dog treat section.
d. Fresh water daily in a ceramic or stainless steel dish. I prefer stainless
steel.
III. Grooming
a. Combs only. Wide toothed stainless steel.
b. Bath - Usually it is not necessary to bathe your cat. I recommend
that it be done by a professional groomer. Your veterinarian may
have references for you.
If you want to learn, you will need to start out with a very young kitten
and have someone that is experienced show you how.
Always clip the nails first. If you need to bathe, I use Suave Clarifying
Shampoo. Let the cat air dry. Hair dryers usually scares them. Cats
can go off (owner eaten alive) if they are badly frightened. Please do
not even think that you can bathe a year old (or older) Maine Coon
for the first time. The very sweetest of cats can turn nasty if stressed
and scared.
c. Nails - I use toenail clippers. Clip once every couple of weeks to
prevent splitting and very sharp nails. Do NOT clip the pink skin inside
the nail (quick), they will hurt, bleed and they will remember. If you can-
not see the quick then do not cut the nail until you do see it.
There are many 'How to' articles and pictures on the internet. I will
show you if you remind me. Kittens will have had at least 4 clippings
by the time you get them.
IV Cat Trees - Maine Coons love their trees. Make sure the base is VERY
heavy or have it mounted to stay in place. Trust me, your 12 - 24 lb
Maine Coon can rock a cat tree when they jump on and off. Sometimes
they will push off the tree with their back legs and you don't want the tree
to topple.
Cissel rope on the trees are really nice for their nails. Also, I do not
recommend getting a tree that is taller than you can reach.
Updated: 14 May 2020
