Caring Info

As soon as you take your new kitten home, put her in her own quiet area, such as a bedroom, bathroom or half-bath.  Laundry rooms are not recommended, as kitty can hide under appliances and feel afraid.   Give your kitten a litter box, food and water, toys, a cozy bed, and her carrier with door opened.  Place a cushioned pad and/or soft blanket in the carrier. Your cat’s carrier should be perfectly clean, inside and outside ---cleaner than when it came from the store.  Carriers should never be stored in cold or hot areas and must be cleaned after every use.  I recommend keeping it available as a resting place at all times with a clean blanket and cuddle toy inside. 

Allow your kitten to have time to adjust to his/her new home!  She will need your attention, affection and reassurance, along with a peaceful environment.  Just hold off introducing your new friend to other pets and very young children.  Your kitten may want to sleep with you.  If she is older than ten weeks, this is okay.  You would not want to smother your kitten while you sleep.

When you take your kitty out to the family room or living room, carry him in a baby blanket and hold him in your arms.  (Besides providing security for the kitten, it protects your skin from little claws.)  Let him become accustomed to the sounds in your home. You will know when he is ready to explore without trying to hide in fear.  Do not let him get under or behind an appliance or furniture.  If he is fearful, put him back in his “safe” area where he can “hide” securely in his open carrier or in his bed or condo.  Confine kitty in a quiet room when entertaining guests to keep him safe. 

Also, it is recommended that you adopt a policy of not allowing visitors to bring their pets to your home, unless it is a particular family pet that visits regularly.  Bringing in strays is never a good idea...However, if one comes your way, a cozy place can be prepared in another part of your home, such as the garage, if you cannot immediately find a shelter or veterinarian to accept the kitty.  Always wash your hands thoroughly and change clothing after handling unfamiliar animals.

Children should be supervised when playing with an animal.  Kittens are very fragile!  Mishandling can cause injury or even death. A kitten can die instantly from being picked up incorrectly.  And people should be cautious and move slowly, as kittens can dart under feet.  Also, too much noise and excitement can cause stress that can lead to illness.
Encourage interactive toys!  When kitty does not want to play, let him rest, maybe take a nap on your lap, or hidden away in your bedroom on your bed (with litter box, food and water nearby). Hair bands, rubber bands, bells, staples, pins, tacks, nails, foil, string are not toys.  Do not leave these and other small items accessible to pets!    

Do not take your kitten outside, as this can make him familiar with the outdoors and he'll want to escape whenever the door opens.  There are too many dangers in the outdoor environment.  Cats are very happy, as well as safe, in the strictly-indoor environment of your home.  They are content napping on a cat tree in front of a window...or on a window seat or sill.  They also enjoy enclosed porches. 
Never leave out gift wrappings, ribbons, string and plastic bags.  Allow no access to electrical wires!  NEVER leave a cat/kitten in a room with a tub of water!  She could jump or fall in and drown!  ALWAYS keep toilet lids down!  Toilet water is not safe for drinking!  Never allow your kitten/cat to have access to a pool.  

Remember that Siberian cats are carnivores and are healthier when fed a high meat protein diet!  (Avoid foods that use grain proteins as the main protein source.) 

I advise caution in the regular feeding of strictly raw diets. (Organic beef, venison, lamb, buffalo can be treats and lightly cooked to rare.)  Raw meat can harbor harmful bacteria, so I recommend sautéing in a little olive oil with no seasonings.  Use only organic meats, and no raw or undercooked poultry!   NEVER give cats bones!

Keep dry food (Wellness Kitten or CORE) always available, preferably in a ceramic dish, and make sure it is fresh and clean. Shake the bowl and top off daily with fresh.  Change once-twice weekly.  Dump old crumbled food; put fresh in crock.  Give fresh water in clean ceramic dish every day!  Feed quality canned food twice a day. If kitty develops diarrhea or a loose stool, add a teaspoon or more of pumpkin and probiotic to the canned food. Continue with dry food and cooked chicken diet. (Organic chicken recommended.)  If stool remains loose longer than a day, consult veterinarian.

Dry foods: Wellness CORE; Wellness Kitten Health; Natural Balance.   Natural Balance Ultra dry food can be mixed with Wellness dry.  Others: Raw Instinct; "Now" Organic 
Recommended Canned foods:  Wellness CORE; Wellness Kitten; Wellness Chicken, Chicken & Herring,  Turkey, Turkey & Salmon; Natural Balance (Ultra & Turkey & Giblets); Pinnacle (Chicken, Lamb , Poultry formulas); Newman’s Own.  Lamb and duck formulas are also good choices.  Give Seafood occasionally and Beef rarely.  

Twice a day I mix canned food, sometimes 2 varieties of cat and/or kitten foods together in a dish, then add ¼ to½ tsp. of Viralys per kitten/cat.  I also add Grizzly Salmon Oil or Cod Liver Oil or Missing Link once daily.  One feeding (of 2 or 3) a day I add a probiotic, such as Bene-bac.  I give each kitten and cat about one rounded tablespoonful of food in a “dollop” on a plate twice a day.  For cats needing extra calories or not eating much, I sometimes  add baby food chicken or turkey to the mixture or canned chicken with broth, or Science Diet “ad” formula, and I add a “one-half to one -inch” strip of Nutrical  or Forti-cal gel.  Two to three times a week I add a vitamin/mineral supplement (Felovite II or Pet Tinic drops) to their canned food. Follow directions for amounts on containers.  (It is also wise to consult with a holistic veterinarian.) Transfer canned food to glass container,  cover and refrigerate. Do not microwave food to heat!  Warm by placing dish in a larger container of hot water and stir food. 
Canned food mixture: Kittens, 3-6 weeks old: FOUR TIMES A DAY; 7- 9 weeks old: 3 TIMES A DAY; sometimes 4 times a day for smaller or “runt” kittens until 4 to 6 months old.  After 9 weeks of age, twice a day for canned food, along with serving of cooked meat (organic recommended) one or more times a week (optional).   

For ill or recovering cats: Give about 1 inch of Nutri-Cal, Nutri-stat, Forti-Cal or Vita-Cal once a day, more if not eating much. I also sometimes give a tiny bit (a “dot”) of Nutrical once every day for 5 - 7 days to infant kittens in large litters, especially the tiny ones;  3 to 4 times daily to weak or less active kittens.   I also give 2 supplemental feedings a day (KMR) for first 2 weeks or more.  At 3 weeks, I start adding some KMR 2nd Step or Gerber’s Rice Cereal to the formula.  Mom cat receives all she wants to eat of dry and canned foods. I sometimes add ½ inch of Nutrical to her canned food three times a week.  Unflavored fish oil is very good for cats; add about 2 cc to the canned food daily.  Ask your veterinarian about other supplements.  

No vaccines for 3 years after first one-year booster!  No “modified live” vaccines!  

Declawing is never recommended.  Most cats and kittens enjoy using a sisal scratching post.  Your veterinarian can show you how to trim your kitty's nails. 

Purchase NEW items for your kitten, never used!  (Baby blankets are an exception.)
Remember to “kitten-proof” your home!  Put safety plugs in electrical outlets.  Protect wiring from potential chewing.  And check kitty toys for safety!  Cut off loose or tiny parts that can be ingested. Some toys, like those with feathers or foil, should only be for interactive play between you and Kitty!  After playtime, put in cabinet out of reach of children and pets.   

If your kitten or cat ever starts “play-biting” when you play with or pet him, it is recommended that you discourage this behavior with a firm “No” and holding your hand very still.  If he persists, and you are unable to sooth him by cuddling him in a blanket, give him a “time out” in the bathroom (or other room) with his litter box, food and water.  Another training tool for “play-biting” is a product you can put on your hands sparingly called Bitter Apple or Bitter Orange that can be purchased from your veterinarian (or pet supply store).  Also recommended is interactively playing with your cat with toys to help him release energy and to deepen your bond with each other.  

REMEMBER ALWAYS that no animal should ever be struck, hit or kicked!  All that cruel “punishment” does, besides causing physical and emotional pain, as well as the possibility of serious physical injury to the pet, is create fear and mistrust!   It is also a serious crime!  People who love animals and who are devoted to their pets will have the compassion, gentleness and loyalty to be caring, kind and supportive through any difficulty or illness.  A bond can only be formed with tenderness, affection and unconditional love.  (If a kitten/cat is ever not wanted, I must be informed immeditately and will take the cat back.  If I ever become aware that an animal is being abused, neglected or wrongfully used for breeding, I will persue legal action, if necessary, to have the animal removed from the home, as well as any offspring and other pets.)  Never leave your pets in the care of anyone who has an anger management problem! 

Siberian kitties need attention and affection regularly and need to be a constant part of the family. If there are no humans home during long periods, a second kitten is recommended.

*Remember to make an appointment with your veterinarian immediately, and take a stool sample with you at your first visit, along with veterinary record. Your kitty should be seen by your veterinarian within 3 - 6 days after going to your home (unless otherwise instructed).  CHECK VACCINE SCHEDULE ON CAT/KITTEN’S RECORD BEFORE ALLOWING VET TO GIVE ANY SHOTS!   KITTEN SHOULD ONLY BE VACCINATED WITH TWO OR THREE FVRC 3 TO 4 WEEKS APART!  These may already have been given.  OVER-VACCINATING CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ILLNESS, EVEN DEATH!  NO RABIES VACCINE FOR AT LEAST FIVE MONTHS AND NEVER AT SAME TIME AS FVRC! NO  MODIFIED LIVE  VACCINE!  NO FeLV  OR  FIP VACCINE!  Most veterinarians are against the F.I.P. vaccine, as it has been known to cause the virus.

People who adopt a kitten or cat from me can receive a 40% discount on a pet portrait or 25% discount on a person/family portrait.   I can create a detailed portrait in black & white or color from your favorite photos.