Kitten pictured here as a baby
is my girl Gotta Have Faith

 

Vaccinations

My kittens come with the first sets of vaccinations (sometimes two) from Fort Dodge. I always give Fel-O-Guard Plus 3 Vaccination, which includes Feline Rhinotracheitis, Calici, Panleukopenia Vaccine (Modified Live Virus). 

I do not vaccinate against Feline Leukemia.
Placing my kittens

 
I usually let my kittens go to their new families after they have received their first set of shots.  I like to place my kittens at 10 to 14 weeks old, so their new families can be a part of their lives during the critical bonding period.  I have my kittens very socialized by spending a lot of time with them. I DO NOT base my price on the type of home my kitten is going to, and I do not sell my show quality kittens to only show homes. I DO NOT discount breeding/show quality kittens if you do not plan to breed or show them.  My Persian kittens are sold to a large extent by the quality of the kitten and pedigree of the parents.  Many people buy breeding/show quality kittens just because they want a kitten they are very proud of and do not want to breed them.

Do’s List For New Kittens

Be calm and quiet when you bring your kitten into your home.
Place the carrier on the floor and let the kitten come out on it's own.
If the kitten has traveled a long distance, make sure to put the kitten in the litter box first, then give the kitten water and food.
Keep the kitten in a small room to start with, slowly allowing him/her to smell new smells from your home.
Place the kitten in the litter box several times in the first couple of days.
Sit on the floor, on the kitten’s level, to play and socialize.
Let the kitten sleep with you.
Introduce the kitten slowly to other cats or pets.
Make sure the kitten knows where his/her food and water is kept and that he/she is eating and drinking.
A timeout (approx. 30 min) in a small room, may be required several times a day to force the kitten to stop playing to eat and drink.
Use a scoopable litter, called Scoop Away or Freshsteps, this is what we use and what my kittens are used to.

Don'ts List For New Kittens

Do not give the kitten full run of the house immediately.
Do not move the litter box for the first couple of weeks - if you move the litter box please place the kitten in it several times after it is moved, and try not to move it to far from it's original place at first.
Do not introduce too many people to the kitten right at first. Wait until after he/she is comfortable in the home to start introducing new people.

Worming
  Most of my kittens will have received 4 doses of worming medicine before you take your kitten home with you. When breeders give worming medicine this does not mean the kitten has worms, more then likely this is a preventive measure.  I give all my kittens Feline Drontal Wormer and also my adult cats.

  
Fleas/Fungus/Mites
All of Batchos cats and kittens are free from fleas, fungus and ear mites. If your home has fleas please talk to your vet about topical flea treatments such as Advantage or Frontline, they are both very effective in the treatment and prevention of fleas. Since cats become infected with tapeworm by ingesting fleas containing the tapeworm eggs, a flea-free cat is at a low risk of having tape worms. Early treatment is recommended since fleas reproduce at astounding rates.
 

Diet
Kittens have specific requirements for different nutrients. It is important to feed a high quality, balanced kitten food in order to meet these needs. I recommend dry food.  98% of my kittens are eating dry food by 5 weeks of age. If they are eating a balanced kitten food, they require no other supplements including milk, BUT can have vitamins and is very good to give additionally to the cat food. Note: Many cats are lactose intolerant and develop diarrhea or even vomiting if given milk.


Feeding
 Depending on their age, kittens should be feed between 3-5 times a day. After a little while, you will be able to tell how hungry your kitten is, and get into a groove. It is essential that you monitor your kitten's eating habits closely. If ever there is a decrease in eating, you should seek medical advice. Kittens have far less reserve than adult cats, and we need to be monitored even more than an adult. I have my cats and kittens on full feed, (meaning that I leave hard food down all day long) so the cats and kittens can eat when they feel hungry.  I feed my kittens Innova Evo and Eukunaba kitten food.  Most of my kittens will be on Eukunaba kitten food until they are at least 10-12 weeks old.  The Innova Evo kitten food is to big of a kibble for small kittens to eat.
 

Vitamins


Vitamins I use is Felovite-II and Nutri-Cal. The best price I found is from
Revival (Animal Health) http://revivalanimal.com
http://www.revivalanimal.com/store/p/645-Felovite-II.aspx



Watering

Water is very important for the cats and it's very important that your cat has enough water to prevent any urinary problems, especially in males.  Cats are not big drinkers so providing the cats with cold water throughout the day will encourage them to drink more water. Can food does not have much nutrition, but it is wet food and it tastes good to the cats, but remember can food is not a balanced diet to feed alone.  This is why I soak Innova cat food with Wellness can food, the Innova provides the nutrition and the Wellness can food gives the soaked food a yummy taste for the cats.  

De-sexing
Spaying your female kitten or neutering your male kitten, will prevent any unwanted litters, as well as undesirable behaviors.  If you do not plan on breeding, I highly recommend that you spay or neuter your kitten before the kitten gets to a breeding age. This can be as early as 6-7 months old.  There is protective wear for male cats that you can buy or make. If you are not going to breed, please spay or neuter your cat.

Female kittens can come into season as early as 6 months of age.  When they are in heat, they become very vocal and restless, and continually rub all over everything! Kittens should not be bred until they are fully mature at about 14 months old give or take a few months depending on your female and her growth development.  Seek your veterinarian's advice for a approximate age to breed.  A male may bred as young as 8 months old, I have heard stories of males breeding earlier than 8 months sold and as late as 3 years old.

If you don't want to have kittens, I strongly recommend that you de-sex your cat by 6 months of age.  Some vets will recommend earlier de-sexing, so ask your own veterinarian, and take guidance from his advice.
 
Grooming
Persians require to be brushed or combed, I only comb with a wide tooth metal comb. Cats are dependent on you to keep them comfortable and happy and looking pretty. Not all Persian coats mat easily, but if grooming is neglected it will.
   
I start to comb my kittens at two weeks old and start to groom and bathe my kittens at 4 weeks of age, so all my kittens are used to being bathed and dried with a regular blow dryer.  Grooming should not be a difficult task for you to accomplish, as my kittens are use to being handled from a very early age.  This does not mean my kittens like to be bathed!!!
There are many bath products on the market today, I use Ivory or dawn dish detergent as a degreaser then a good animal shampoo and a light conditioner.  If your cats coat is very static you can run a dryer sheet over the cat "works well".  Not all cats coats are the same and this may not work for your cats coat, you may find something else that works for you better, this is just what I use.  Persians will groom themselves but Persians can not groom their eyes properly and will need you to clean their eyes daily, eye care is given below.

Eye care
I recommended daily cleaning to keep on top of any staining or any discharge. Use a dry clean cotton disposable cosmetic pad or tissue first, a paper towel is kind of hard and the cats will learn quickly not to want their eyes wiped because the paper towel is rough to their eyes and skin.  I recommend a tissue with Aloe Vera after all tissues are cheap if you use one or two a day :-) I wet the cotton pad or wash cloth Renu eye wash and gently wipe across the closed eye, try to keep the liquid cold. Wiping with cold liquid is better than warm or hot "in my opinion" from trial and error, warm or hot will set a stain in. I dry the hair I just cleaned and use PandEcats eye powder under the eyes. This will prevent unsightly build up and staining under the eyes. I recommended doing this daily to keep on top of eye staining. I sometimes use eye drops to keep the eyes clear, I use Visine AC that I buy at Wal-Mart.

Eye care products I use

Visine AC or Baush & Lomb Allergy Drops
Eye & Wound Grooming Powder by PandEcats
Optrex Sterile Eye Wash

Nail Trimming
I recommend that the nails "hooks", as I call them, be clipped weekly and that you buy scratch posts or tree stands for your cat. I have found that if the hook is clipped off, the cats do not ruin furniture or do any damage.

I buy all my tree stands from Armarket
http://www.armarkat.com 

Faux Fleece material is the best in my opinion!
 

Love and Attention
This is the easy part! Emotional and physical closeness to you is as important to a kitten as food and warmth. Pet your kitten often, and let it snuggle with you. You will be surprised at how this early cuddle activity will stay a basic instinct as the cat grows into an adult. We have found that hand-raised kittens have a much deeper bond to their owners and are highly loyal, intelligent, and affectionate.  Playing with your kitten with a variety of toys is also important; as this will help them develop motor skills and also help the kitten to bond with you.  Once a kitten is over 8 weeks old and healthy, and have received their first set of vaccinations it is my opinion that it is okay to let them interact with other cats and even dogs. 

The Persian cat is the number one breed in popularity, with having their beautiful long silky or cotton coats and their sweet gentle personalities. These beautiful cats require the protection of an indoor environment, and enjoy being loved as part of a family, and act like a family member.

Persian kittens are undeniably irresistible.  Do not forget, however, that they are totally dependent on you to provide for their health and well-being to grow into a healthy adult cat.
A proper diet, vaccinations, and a good worming program along with fighting fleas and de-sexing are all issues you need to know about. Don't worry, your best source of information can be at your local veterinarian who will be happy to give you advice on all aspects of your kitten's health. If there is ever a concern your veterinarian will know what to do.

I hope the information I have here will help
you raise your new kitten.

"The information above is information that I know about, and practice and have gathered from different sources, and from my own experience.  I am not a Licensed Veterinarian, nor do I practice medicine.  The information above is for your reading. Consult your Veterinarian with all the information above".

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