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 information 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 flushable 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.
         Usually a Sturdi Rep is at most cat shows or order
         online.  I also like the carriers they sell at the airports.

         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 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) – Acana, Blue Buffalo, Core,
        Go, Instinct, Now, 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.

           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 in their diet.

           Contact information:
           www.bestofbreedllc.com ,
           Best of Breed LLC,
           14725 K, Flint Lee Rd,
           Chantilly, VA 20151. They will ship.

          Kittens – Pate only - Bff, Canidae, Core, Evo, Great
          Life Essentials, Instinct, Meow Mix (tub only, not dry),
          Performatrin Ultra, Royal Canin Kitten, Sheba, Versus
          and  Weruva

          Adults - Bff, Core, Canidae, Dave’s, Evo, Great Life
          Essentials, Instinct, Meow Mix, Performatrin Ultra,
          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.  It is
          not recommended that you do it unless you start as a
          kitten and have someone that is experienced show you
          how.  If you need to bathe, I use Suave Clarifying
          Shampoo.  Let the cat air dry.  Hair dryers usually
          scares them.  Cats can go off (eater 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 cannot 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 heavy and that your 12 - 24 lb Maine Coon
      cannot rock it when the jump off.  Sometimes they will
      push off 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.