Preparing For Your Kitten
Diet Recommendations
DRY KIBBLE
By the time your kitten leaves here, they will have been free fed an all life stage diet called FirstMate Grain Free Limited Ingredient. The formulas we feed are: Cage Free Duck Meal with Blueberries, Chicken Meal with Blueberries and Pacific Ocean Fish Meal with Blueberries.
Why First Mate? I really cannot say enough good things about this diet. No, I do not get any perks for promoting this diet. It has taken me almost 15 years to find a diet that I am truly pleased with overall. First and foremost; all of my cats eat this and seem to enjoy it. This is HUGE because I have a lot of picky eaters! Persians have a difficult time picking up food due to their facial structure, and this results in a lot of waste. Since using FirstMate LID, I have a lot less food ending up on the floor which tells me that they are able to more easily pick up and eat this kibble.
FirstMate is a Canadian family owned and operated facility with over 30 years of manufacturing excellence. The animals used in FirstMate products are humanely raised, transported and slaughtered and all fish are wild and sustainably caught. First Mate does not conduct laboratory research on animals. These Veterinary Formulated Diets contain only natural ingredients without the addition of artificial colouring or binders. The three diets we feed have a very high percentage of meat protein (92-95%) and the remaining 5-8% is protein from vegetables. There are 0% grains, peas and flax. FirstMate Products contain healthy fats and oils in every bite thanks to their unique Vacuum Infusion System.
The only NEGATIVE feedback I have is that the kibble size and shape, although great for adult cats, is a bit big for kittens. Especially Persian kittens.
RAW AND CANNED
Every single day, twice a day, since your kitten was 3 weeks of age, he/she has been eating Raw For Pets Chicken & Salmon mixed with FirstMate Limited Ingredient Chicken Formula OR FirstMate Limited Ingredient Wild Salmon Formula OR FirstMate Limited Ingredient Turkey Formula canned.
WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU CONTINUE FEEDING THIS MIXTURE FOR AS LONG AS YOU CAN. Many of our kittens leave here eating very little dry food so it is of the utmost importance that they are offered a COMPLETE raw and/or canned diet as an alternative to ensure they remain healthy and continue growing as they should.
You will feed your kitten, on average, 0.23lbs (103g OR 3.6oz) of raw PER DAY. This is only 0.12lbs (51g OR 1.8oz) two times a day. You only need to add 1 tbsp of canned to this mixture and enough water to make it slightly soupy.
Why Raw For Pets? Well, it is truly a quality product. Raw For Pets uses only locally sourced ingredients and their products are processed right here in Ontario. All of their products are free of flavorings, fillers, gluten and preservatives. I use Raw For Pets for both my cats and dogs.
Raw For Pets Chicken & Salmon is a mixture containing chicken, salmon, salmon bone and salmon organs. This diet is made up of 80% lean muscle meats, 10% bone and 10% organ.
FirstMate No Grain Limited Ingredient canned diets contain 96-98% protein from meat with the remaining 2% protein being from vegetables. The diets are pea free, soy free, wheat free, epoxy free, carrageenan and Guar Gum free.
Kitten Check List
DIET
FirstMate LID Diets Dry
Duck Meal with Blueberries OR Chicken Meal with Blueberries OR Pacific Ocean Fish Meal with Blueberries.
Canned
Chicken Formula OR Wild Salmon Formula OR Turkey Formula.
Find a store that sells FirstMate by going to: http://firstmate.com/stores/
Raw For Pets Chicken and Salmon formula
To find a Raw For Pets distributor please email: info@rawforpets.ca
DISHES
Stainless Steel (for food)
Stainless steel is unbreakable, sturdy, dishwasher-safe, and harmless to cats. It is recommended by most veterinarians. Another good choice is ceramic, provided it uses a lead-free glaze. Although plastic bowls are generally sturdy, they have a couple of downsides. First, many cats have an allergy to plastic, and develop a skin condition on their chins, resembling acne. I've also seen many cats also develop "rodent ulcers" due to plastic. Second, plastic tends to nick and scratch, and those tiny fissures become a breeding ground for germs. My recommendation is to avoid plastic if at all possible.
Note: you will notice how I say “for food”. The problem with open bowls for Persian and Himalayan cats is that they often soak their face and chest when they drink. This can result in bacterial infections and is very uncomfortable for them. A fountain (as suggested below) or a water dispenser (as suggested below) would be ideal.
Catit Fresh & Clear Stainless Steel Top Water Fountain
Cat water fountains provide free-flowing water, giving the water a fresh taste, which encourages your cat to drink. Therefore water fountains help ensure that your cat receives the fluids he or she needs to help prevent many diseases! Our cats do well with these and rarely get wet using them.
Automatic Ceramic Cat Water Dispenser Elephant Shape Pet Drinking Feeder Fountain 500ml
I use this for my show cats, to help prevent them from getting wet. It can be found on Amazon.
Note: Please remember to keep all of the food and water dishes and fountains washed and in the case of the fountain, the filters regularly changed. Once a week, after washing them, we soak everything in a 1:10 bleach solution for ten minutes to ensure anything harmful has been “removed”.
GROOMING SUPPLIES
One of the most challenging parts of owning a longhaired breed is grooming. It is of the utmost importance that either you groom your cat regularly or you pay a groomer to do so. Don’t be afraid of a lions cut (aka: shaving) if needed. It is far more important that your kitten be comfortable and does not have mats, than it is to keep them “in coat”. Their coat WILL grow back.
Although I could provide a HUGE list of shampoos and conditioners that I use and recommend; I am going to try and narrow it down to my favorites. If you are not interested in showing, then there is no reason to have a cupboard full like me. In fact, if you do not intend to bath regularly or plan to take your kitty to the groomer, then you don't need to buy shampoo at all. However; in case you are interested, these are my recommendations.
I purchase many of my products at Custom Pet Boutique (www.custom-paw.com). This boutique is located in Alberta but Miki ships all over, and generally for about $20 (shipping fee). She is great and will provide you with samples of pretty well anything you would like to try (just ask!).
1) Les Pooch F&T (unscented)
You only need to use a small amount of this product (it dilutes). This is the product that I use for degreasing the coat and it works AMAZING. I generally fill the sink with some warm water and a couple drops of this product and soak my cat in the sink (make sure the cat can stand with its head above the water!). I then gently push the water over the coat.
2) Les Pooch Tearless Puppy Shampoo
This shampoo is a great choice for young kittens or kittens with sensitive skin. I generally ONLY use this on my kittens and on the faces of my cats when I bath them.
3) Pet Silk Deep Cleansing Shampoo I really like using a deep cleaning product like this for the "second" shampoo (after the degreasing shampoo - F&T). Lather and rinse well.
4) Pet Silk Brazilian Keratin Shampoo
Works and smells amazing. Personally I wouldn't use the conditioner as it weighs down the coat.
5) Dawn Dish Soap
It's cheap, gentle and it works wonderfully for degreasing.
Rens Pet Depot is a great pet store that has all of the grooming products below at unbeatable prices. You can order online OR to find a Rens Pet Depot please go to the following website: http://www.renspets.com/store_location
PLEASE USE THIS UNIQUE CODE to save $10 on your purchase at Rens (and it gives the kitties at Heart’nsoul $10 as well so we can buy lots of toys!): https://service.renspets.com/friend/redeem/945269949796975628_c5sm9a7kg4n03c4pqpi0?referer=RM100739
Greyhound 7.5" Reg. Pin Comb Fine/Coarse
I highly recommend that my kitten buyers purchase this comb! A regular brush and many other types of regular combs do not get the job done!
Nail Scissors
These are the type of nail scissors we use here at Heart'nsoul. Gimborn
Quick Clot
This powder instantly halts minor bleeding from broken nails, minor superficial cuts or a nail trimmed too close.
For use on dogs, cats, ferrets and birds, simply apply with pressure to the affected nail area. Contains the anesthetic Benzocaine to block pain while stopping bleeding.
Ear Cleaner
We use Oti-Scrub ear cleaner however; this product is not available at Rens Pet Depot. It is a Veterinary Product and can be purchased at Pets Drug Mart (www.petsdrugmart.ca). There are many ear cleaners available at Rens Pet Depot as well.
Two products you cannot purchase at Rens Pet Depot BUT can purchase at Wheatley Wares (www.wheatleywares.com) are:
Buttercomb #000 (7.5” - fine/coarse)
THIS IS MY FAVORITE COMB. If you get this comb, you don’t also need to get the Greyhound comb. The Buttercomb is more expensive, but 100% worth it. I still have my original one from 12 years ago!
Eye Envy
This product is wonderful and I HIGHLY recommend it if you are adopting a Himalayan or any light coloured kitten. You use the products around the eyes to help treat and prevent tear stains. I suggest ordering the Eye Envy Starter Kit.
LITTER SUPPLIES
Litter Box
The kittens at Heart'nsoul use an OPEN LITTER BOX (we use the ones sold at Dollarama). These litter boxes are sturdy and large and work very well. You can slowly transition them to an enclosed litter box but should have an open litter box available until they feel comfortable with the enclosed litter box. They have MANY litter boxes available online and in store at Rens Pet Depot.
Note: The “rule” for litter boxes is to ensure you have 1 litter box PER CAT PLUS 1 additional. So, if you have one cat, then you need two litter boxes. If you have two cats, then you need three litter boxes. It is also very important to remember that kittens are like toddlers. They can’t hold it for too long so ensuring you have a litter box on EACH FLOOR and your new kitten is aware where that litter box is, is essential in preventing accidents from occurring. Once accidents occur, it often becomes a habit and can be difficult to stop. So prevention is key!
Litter Scoop
Dollarama is always a good place to go for a litter scoop however they do sell them pretty well everywhere. KITTENS LEAVE HERE FULLY LITTER BOX TRAINED.
Litter
PractiCat Scoopable Cat Litter is made from 100% pure sodium bentonite clay. It is blended with a mild, fresh baby powder scent that locks in odors and moisture on contact. This is the litter that we use at Heart’nsoul. It seems to be difficult to find for some people, so if you are unable to find this, I recommend a high end clumping clay litter. The lower quality clay litters are incredibly dusty which can irritate the respiratory tract.
Toys
Cat Teasers
Crinkle Balls
CatNip Toys
Cat Dancers
Feathers
Rens Pet Depot (www.renspets.com) has a number of fun toys!
Custom Pet Boutique (www.custom-paw.com) also sells some beautiful, sturdy homemade cat teasers!
Note: I do not recommend MOST cheaply made cat toys, sold at places like the Dollar Store. Many of these toys break or fray and often there are dangerous dyes in them as well. I have heard of a number of emergency surgeries (and a few deaths) involving cheap toys. So please be careful and regularly check your kittens toys to ensure they are not falling apart.
Collars
We DO NOT recommend collars for cats. They can too easily get caught on things, which can result in strangulation. If you insist on a collar, the ONLY one that I recommend is a breakaway collar. They do sell these at most pet stores, including Rens Pet Depot.
Travel
I recommend purchasing a medium sized cat carrier from the start so that you do not have to buy another one in the future for vet and grooming appointments or travel. I do recommend a hard sided carrier so that, if needed, it can be easily cleaned and disinfected. Trust me - “accidents” sometimes happen!!
Cat Trees
I highly recommend getting a cat tree (scratching post) at Little Whiskers (www.litterwhiskers.ca) . You won't find a better deal anywhere else! These are the trees that we use at Heart'nsoul and we really do feel that it is important that your new kitten has their own tree (safe place) to go if they want to get away from children or other pets. Plus, they use it as a scratching post which will help keep them from scratching your furniture.
HINT: spray your scratching post and/or cat tree with catnip spray to entice your kitten to use it!
Bringing Kitten Home - TIPS
I have included some information on the two main health concerns that may occur when bringing a new kitten home. I am mentioning them, so you are aware and not to scare you. It is unlikely you will encounter either problem; but knowledge is key.
Herpes Virus
More than 95% of the cat population has been exposed to the virus and over 80% are carriers. Cats that were once affected will therefore become life-long carriers of the virus even if they do not portray the regular symptoms.At times of stress (such as entering a new home, meeting new people and animals, going to a vet clinic or groomers, etc) cats may develop a flare up. This often looks like an upper respiratory tract infection. Their eyes may become irritated, puffy and red. They may sneeze, with or without a discharge present. The most important thing to watch when it comes to Herpes, is the eyes. On occasion, ulcers and/or sequestrums may develop and it is of the utmost importance that these are treated immediately to prevent eye surgery or, in severe cases, eye removal.
Note: If you notice your kitten squinting, rubbing at their eyes, eye discharge, eyelid swelling (conjunctivitis) a brownish spot in the eye, etc PLEASE CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN IMMEDIATELY. Starting eye drops/ointments, antiviral medication (Famciclovir) and getting a head collar on your kitten right away will give you the best chance of saving the eye (and hopefully preventing expensive specialist consultations and surgeries!). Make sure you tell your veterinarian that your breeder has highly recommended getting your kitten on Famciclovir orally and/or Idoxuridine eye drops, along with antibacterial eye drops or ointment or your veterinarian will likely just prescribe an eye drop which is quite often NOT enough and the eye quickly gets worse! I do not mess around with the eyes!
Corona Virus
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a viral disease of cats caused by certain strains of a virus called the feline coronavirus. Most strains of feline coronavirus are found in the gastrointestinal tract and do not cause significant disease. These are referred to as feline enteric coronavirus (FeCV). Cats infected with FeCV usually do not show any symptoms during the initial viral infection but may occasionally experience brief bouts of diarrhea and/or mild upper respiratory signs from which they recover spontaneously. FeCV-infected cats usually mount an immune response through which antibodies against the virus are produced within 7-10 days of infection. In approximately 10 percent of cats infected with FeCV, one or more mutations of the virus can alter its biological behavior, resulting in white blood cells becoming infected with virus and spreading it throughout the cat’s body. When this occurs, the virus is referred to as the FIPV. An intense inflammatory reaction to FIPV occurs around vessels in the tissues where these infected cells locate, often in the abdomen, kidney, or brain. It is this interaction between the body’s own immune system and the virus that is responsible for the development of FIP. Once a cat develops clinical FIP, the disease is usually progressive and almost always fatal without therapy that has recently become available, but that has yet to be approved to treat FIP in cats by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (see below).
Note: If your kitten has a suspected case of FIP, please get the blood work results and immediately send them to me. I will consult with my contacts regarding whether they agree it is in fact FIP and I can then refer you to someone that can help you get your kitten treated.
VET CHECKS, VACCINES AND DEWORMING
Your kitten will be at least 12 weeks of age when you take him/her home. We use a veterinary grade de-wormer called Fenbendazole and kittens are de-wormed two times, for three consecutive days each time, four weeks apart. This will be written down in your kitten's veterinary record.
Your kitten will receive their first FVRCP vaccination at approximately 6-8 weeks of age. Four weeks later, at approximately 10-12 weeks of age, a second FVRCP booster will be administered. IF your kitten is still at Heart’nsoul when they are 16 weeks of age, a third FVRCP booster and a Rabies vaccine will be administered. Most often, the third FVRCP vaccine and the Rabies vaccine is the buyer's responsibility because the kitten is no longer in our care. If a kitten remains here past 16 weeks of age and has already been reserved, a fee of $100 will be added onto the remaining balance of the kitten to cover the third FVRCP vaccine, vet exam and Rabies vaccine.
Annual exams are recommended however after the 1 year FVRCP booster, we recommend that you only have the FVRCP vaccine administered every 3 years. Your vet can get you on a 3 year Rabies vaccine schedule as well. It is important to keep up with the Rabies vaccine if you intend to bring your kitten to a groomer.
Note: We DO NOT recommend the FeLV vaccine. Your kitten will not be roaming around outdoors and therefore is very unlikely to be exposed. The FeLV vaccine has been proven to increase the risk of your kitten developing FIP therefore, if the FeLV vaccine is administered the health guarantee becomes null and void.
YOUR KITTEN WILL LEAVE WITH
* ONE thorough veterinary examination
* TWO FVRCP vaccinations
* TWO dewormings
FIV/FeLV, PKD AND PRA
As each new cat is brought into my cattery an FIV/FeLV SNAP test is completed to ensure they do not have either of these two viruses. This is to ensure I am bringing no FIV/FeLV infected cats into my cattery. Because both of your kittens' parents are either FIV/FeLV tested negative OR are the offspring of FIV/FeLV tested negative parents, kittens are guaranteed to be FIV/FeLV negative when they leave my care. All the cats I am using in my breeding program are either PKD and PRA tested negative themselves or are offspring of PKD and PRA tested negative parents, which means, they are for sure PKD negative themselves. Therefore, I guarantee all kittens leaving my cattery to be PKD and PRA negative.
FIV: Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a virus specific to the cat family. It is like HIV (human immunodeficiency virus, the cause of AIDS in people) in that it attacks and weakens the immune system and there is no cure. FeLV: Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a virus that infects cats. It was first discovered in cats with a form of leukemia (cancer of the white blood cells). FeLV can cause a variety of diseases in addition to leukemia. Like all viruses, FeLV is a tiny microorganism that can only replicate itself inside living cells. FeLV is specific to members of the cat family and does not pose a risk to other species of animals or people.
PKD: Occurring most frequently in Persian cats, polycystic kidney disease is an inherited disorder in which small, closed, liquid-filled sacs develop in the tissue of the feline kidney. These sacs (cysts) tend to multiply in number and grow in size over time, eventually overwhelming normal kidney tissue and often leading to potentially fatal kidney failure. There is no explanation for the development of these cysts except for a genetic anomaly that is evident primarily in Persians and occasionally in a few other feline breeds, such as Himalayans and British Shorthairs.
PRA: Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a genetic disorder of the retina that can, over time, lead to blindness in both eyes.
PREVENTATIVE TREATMENTS
Your vet may suggest using a product like Revolution or Advantage on your new kitten. These products protect against fleas, heartworm, ear mites, hookworm (Anycylostoma tubae) and roundworm (Toxocara cati). There is no harm in using these products however, unless your cat goes outside or you have other animals that go outside, they are unnecessary. A de-wormer may also be recommended by your veterinarian as a precaution. Or your vet may ask you to bring in a fecal sample to determine whether your new kitten has any internal parasites/organisms. I honestly do not recommend that dewormer be given again unless there appears to be a problem, as this can disturb the normal healthy flora in the gut and may cause gastrointestinal upset. Persians have VERY sensitive digestive systems, and any type of disturbance can cause bacterial overgrowth which will require antibiotics to clear.
EARLY ALTERING
As of 2019, ALL Heart’nsoul kittens sold as pets will be spayed or neutered before leaving our care. This will be done at approximately 11-12 weeks of age. Early altering is not only safe, but the procedure produces less tissue trauma, is less stressful, provides a shorter recovery period and has lower risk of complications.
DECLAWING
We are 100% against declawing at Heart’nsoul. Please take some time to watch “The Paw Project'' on youtube to understand why. Declawing a Heart’nsoul kitten makes the health guarantee null and void.
MICROCHIPS
At Heart’nsoul we use EIDAP microchips. Our kittens are microchipped before leaving our care. This does not mean that you should allow your kitten to roam outdoors. In fact, we do not recommend any cat be allowed outdoors, for a variety of reasons. However, if your kitten happens to get outside and is picked up by someone, they can contact you thanks to the microchip.
INDOOR AND OUTDOOR
Unless you have your kitten/cat on a leash or have had an enclosure built, I feel strongly that a Persian or Himalayan should remain strictly indoors. First of all, these breeds have been so "babied" generation after generation that their survival skills are not all that great anymore. They are very "proper", don't like to be dirty, would likely starve and would be unsure of how to protect themselves when confronted by another animal or traffic. And you can be sure that if anyone spotted a beautiful cat like this wandering around outdoors that they would snatch it up without thinking twice, likely never to return it. If you do have an outdoor enclosure or a leash then applying a product to prevent fleas, mites, ticks and parasites is highly recommended.
CFA/CCA REGISTRATION
Your kitten's parents are registered with both the CFA (Cat Fanciers Association) and the CCA (Canadian Cat Association). Therefore, your kitten is also able to be registered. However, I do not automatically do this as most people purchase their kittens as pets, and registration is really unnecessary in this case. As my contract states, if requested and paid for by the new owner, I will register their kitten with the CFA or CCA. I am also happy to send a photo of the kittens PARENTS registrations as proof they are purebred to avoid any additional fees.
TRUPANION PET INSURANCE
You will receive a special GO HOME DAY offer through Trupanion. This offer allows you to receive immediate coverage if you wish to do so. I have chosen Trupanion as the insurance provider to recommend because after much research, I do feel it provides the best coverage. I do use Trupanion for my dog. I want to make it known that I have mixed feelings on pet insurance (and really, insurance in general!). Putting the amount you would put into pet insurance each month (say, $100) into a savings account, would likely be a better use of your money. In the case of dogs, my feelings are slightly different given they are more likely to require emergency veterinary care.
CONTRACT
You can find our PET CONTRACT on the AVAILABLE of our website to review. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to ask. Additionally, please send your full contact information (name, phone number, address and email address) at your earliest convenience.
Note: I will be printing two copies of the contract and bringing them with me when we meet for you to sign. Please do not print the contract yourself.
