Coat Care

Daily grooming is very important. You should get your kitten used to a routine from a young age. There are two types of coat problems you may encounter: tangles and mats. Tangles are mildly snarled bits of hair. Mats are severe tangles. Both can be avoided with regular daily brushing and grooming.

 

Using a metal comb takes out the dead hair without removing the healthy coat. Brushes should not be used as a daily grooming tool because the brush does not get down deep enough to prevent those tiny mats. I use a slicker brush only for “fluffing”. The best way to avoid mats and hairballs is to brush your cat's coat every day with a greyhound-style comb to get through the coat without snagging or breakage. Using the best Persian cat brush products will make avoiding tangles and mats much easier.

 

Bathe every month with specific shampoos for cats that respects the pH of their skin. A good shampoo to use for maintenance is Revitalizing Shampoo by Life's Abundance®. For a healthy, shiny coat, supplementing omega-3 fatty acids in your cat’s diet can help strengthen his/her fur, reduce shedding, reduce dryness and dandruff, and make your cat’s coat gleam. Add Omega-3 Fish Oil by Life's Abundance® to your persians food or Serve as is. Your cat will thank you!

The #1 question I am asked is do I recommend a groomer? The answer is always yes... The Cat Connection. It is important to use a feline-certified groomer.

​

Eye Care

Routine eye care is important. Whether your Persian kitten is a traditional doll-face (the original) or a flat-face (peke-face), eye tearing and tear drainage is common. It is important to keep your cat's eyes clean, as infection can develop if the eyes are "crusty" from dried tears. Seasonal allergies can lead to more watering than usual. In most cases, some orange or brown color tears from Persians is not a sign of a bad infection, so don’t worry too much that there is something wrong with your cat.

​

Ear Care

It is advisable to clean your kitten's ears weekly (not daily). Persian cats produce more or less earwax according to each cat. Buildup in the ear can cause infections, discomfort, and even hearing loss, all of which are easily avoidable with routine ear cleaning to prevent mites, fungi, or bacterial infections. I use Ear Care Formula by Life's Abundance®

​

Claw Trimming

You should trim your Persian cat's claws every 2 weeks.  Or you choose to have your Persian professionally groomed, nail trimming is usually included. 

​

Declawing is cruel and should NEVER be performed on a cat. In fact, it has been outlawed in many countries and several US states. Declawing traditionally involves the amputation of the last bone of each toe. If performed on a human being, it would be like cutting off each finger at the last knuckle. It is an unnecessary surgery that provides no medical benefit to the cat. Educated pet parents can easily train their cats to use their claws in a manner that allows everyone in the household to live together happily. There is a wide variety of cat scratchers to keep your kitty from using the furniture to sharpen his/her claws.

 

Food

I have tried many different foods and I feel the most suitable balanced diet for all cats (obligate carnivores) is not always "premium cat foods" I focuse on ingredients more so than brand. Good nutrition means better overall health, greater body, and coat. Feeding your Persian with knowledge of what's in it will save on vet bills later.  

​

​

​

Recommended Nutritional Food:

​

Instinctive Choice All Life Stage by Life's Abundance® is a very good healthy food that contains nourishing, high-quality ingredients made specifically for feline needs, regardless of their age. This food has No artificial flavors or colors, No corn or corn gluten, No wheat or wheat gluten and No Carageenan. NO RECALLS EVER! I care about the future health of my persian kittens which is why I am dedicated to recommending only high quality pet care products that enhance the health of pets. 

​​​

Supplements

Ultra-Pure Fish Oil Supplement by Life's Abundance® is among the highest quality available on the market. Simply add this dietary supplement to your cat’s daily regimen to ​support healthy skin, coat, heart, brain eyes and joints.

Agility Formula by Life's Abundance® is formulated to maintain healthy joint cartilage and connective tissue.  
 

Treats

Gourmet Cat Treats by Life's Abundance® is a healthy natural cat treat formulated with added vitamins, minerals and other trace nutrients, that nourish and protect skin and coats. 

Turkey Hearts Freeze-Dried Treats by Life's Abundance® Satisfy your little carnivore’s instinctive craving for real meat with cat treats that are all heart!

 

Water

Water intake is extremely important, Cats need water to help with digestion, blood circulation, urinary, and kidney health. Hydration is essential to your cat's health. Here is an interesting and informative article about "The Best Water for Cats to Drink". Drinking out of a water bowl is not the best option for Persians. A fountain allows Persians to get a drink without submerging their face in the water. I have tried many of "the best" but found that most of the fountains on the market are hard to clean.

 

Dishes

When selecting food/water dishes, the best options are ceramic, stainless steel, or melamine (a non-toxic, non-allergenic compound). Elevated bowls are recommended for a more comfortable eating and drinking height plus, it can help ease neck and back strain and reduce the risk of bloating and indigestion. Make sure to clean your Persians bowls after every feeding to ensure that no harmful bacteria develop, this will prevent health issues such as chin acne. Plastic bowls are not ideal because they are very porous, and easily harbors harmful bacteria. Flat-faced (brachycephalic) Persians prefer dishes that are shallow as their flat faces make it more challenging for them to reach into a deep bowl, also, making it difficult for Persians to eat all their food. My favorites are these two unique raised feeders Catswall multi-cat raised feeder and the UPSKY Peto Cat Bowl.​

​

Litter Box Training

Cats instinctively know how to use the litter box, so your kitten will already have learned how to use the litter box from their mother before they come to live with you. Here is an article that can help with the transition into your home. I know there is a wide variety of litter & boxes, but I highly recommend not changing from what your kitten is used to at first. Remember, accidents will happen. Even the smartest kitten is bound to have an occasional accident. Whatever you do, do not punish him/her. Praise your kitten when he/she does use the litter box and offer a small reward, like a treat and you will soon be back on track. Upon your kitten's arrival in his/her new home, immediately show your kitten where the litter box is located. Watch closely at first and be sure to put him/her in there after meals, long naps, and especially if you see them sniffing around or wondering around meowing as if trying to tell you they cannot remember where the box is. 

 

Clay litter products are harmful to cats, the dust particles can cause gastrointestinal distress and is linked to upper respiratory issues. Cats can be allergic to the fine dust, or the scent can cause allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny eyes or frequent scratching. Worlds Best  is my preference.  I am often asked what type of litter box that I use. For the adult cats there is no comparison to the Litter Robot by Whisker. My kittens, however, are not introduced to the unit as it is not recommended for kittens under the age of six months. For my kittens I prefer the open stainless-steel walk-in type.

​

Cleaning your Cat's Environment

It is extremely important to your cat's health to remember cats lick their paws. Using animal health disinfectant products to clean your cat's environment is crucial. I HIGHLY recommend a high-level disinfectant cleaner called Rescue as a daily all-purpose cleaner as well as a deep clean. ​

​

Exercise

Exercise helps your cat maintain a healthy body weight, keep their muscles toned and strong, and keep their mind alert. You should try to spend about 10-15 minutes a few times each day engaging your Persian in some form of activity. Exercise can be fun and can offer you the opportunity to bond with your kitten. The following list will give you a few ideas...

• The multi-tiered “cat towers” sold online and in pet stores are a safe way to ensure that your cat will have plenty of places to play and areas to climb for a good workout. 

• Keep plenty of toys around because the best strategy for a cat's workout is to give them plenty of options in the form of toys. These toys don’t have to be expensive toys from the pet store either, you can use everyday household objects as toys to encourage cats to exercise. Putting Ping-pong balls in a large cardboard box or using the bathtub to create an instant “hockey rink” for your cat. As the ball goes flying off the walls (and the cat goes flying after it), you’ll get some laughs, and your cat will get some exercise!

• Have fun with lasers. Few things will entertain you more — or have your cat moving faster. Laser toys are often good entertainment but follow it up with a real toy to avoid frustration over never being able to catch the light beam. Be sure to never shine the beam directly into the cat’s eyes.

• A “teaser" is extremely satisfying for the big hunter in your little cat.

• Catnip is a useful tool for getting your cat to exercise, but it’s best to use it only in the proper situations. Remember that not all cats respond to catnip, and a few will become aggressive. (I personally do not have anything with catnip).

​

Behavior and Training

Cats are highly intelligent animals, and they have the ability to learn a variety of behaviors and tricks. It is important to begin training your kitten as soon as possible so he/she be able to grow up to learn and respect the boundaries of your home. Even though Persians have passive personas, Persians are cats after all, and they can display normal feline behavior gone wrong, such as, jumping on the counter, play fighting, and furniture scratching, which can frustrate any pet owner. You can correct these unpleasant habits, however, if you address them when your Persian is a kitten. The Spruce Pets website has several articles concerning pet behavior such as How to Introduce Your Adult Cat to a New Kitten, How to stop cats from biting and scratching, How to Stop Your Cat from Scratching the Carpet​, and many other issues.​

​

Vaccines

Preventative health care is essential. Vaccinating your cat has been considered one of the easiest ways to help him or her live a long, healthy life. Your kitten will have the “1st” set of shots — vaccinated for Feline leukemia virus (FeLV), FHCPCh vaccine (as an aid in the prevention of disease caused by feline rhinotracheitis, calici, and panleukopenia viruses and Chlamydia), and Strongid (de-wormer) before you take him/her home. Continued care is especially important to keep your kitten's immune system healthy. The kitten will need the second shots along with other wellness care. Vaccination appointments are performed by a vet and should be a routine part of the care of all cats throughout their life. 

 

Neutering/Spaying

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of spaying or neutering your cat or kitten. For male cats, neutering removes obnoxious hormones that cause your cat to become more aggressive and territorial, which means he is more likely to spray or “mark” the house. The urine of neutered males is free of the strong, house-permeating odorous urine. For females, there is an elevated risk of pyometra (uterine infection) if not spayed. This is very painful for the female cat and can often be fatal.  

 

Dispelling common myths of spaying and neutering:

• Myth #1: Altered pets become fat and lazy. This myth is simply not true — if an altered pet becomes fat and lazy, it is not due to the sterilization, but because the pets' owners feed them too much and do not encourage them to exercise. Any altered pet fed in proper amounts and that receives adequate exercise will not become fat and lazy.

• Myth #2: It is better to let a female cat have one litter before spaying her. No medical evidence exists to support the belief that having a litter is good for a pet. It is just not true.

• Myth #3: I wanted my children to experience the miracle of birth. Letting a cat have a litter of kittens that may not get homes is really teaching children that animals can be created and discarded to suit people. Instead, parents should explain to their children that the real miracle is life and that preventing the births of unwanted animals can save the lives of others. 

• Myth #4: Some owners feel that their pets are unique, and by breeding them, they will produce offspring with the same unique characteristics. Breeding a special pet does NOT guarantee that the coveted traits will be passed on to the next generation; in fact, the resulting litter could receive all the pet's and its mate's worst characteristics! 

• Myth #5: My cat is purebred, and this justifies breeding it. Twenty-five percent of all the animals surrendered to shelters each year are purebreds — PLEASE do not contribute to this figure.

​

Responsible Pet Ownership

Sharing a home with a much-loved cat is one of life's greatest pleasures. It is important to ensure that cats are kept in harmony with the rest of the community and the environment. To reduce some of the problems associated with cats in our society and to ensure that both cats and humans gain maximum benefit from this special relationship, all cat owners should follow the...​

​

Ten Commandments of Responsible Pet Ownership:

1. Choose the right cat. Think carefully before getting a kitten and choose a breed that will fit your lifestyle.

2. Identify your cat in case it gets lost. Identification can be by microchip or a tag with your phone number, attached to an elasticized collar.

3. Keep your cat inside for its own safety and to prevent it from hunting, getting hunted, lost, or run over. Encourage your cat to stay at home by creating a caring, interesting, and attractive environment. Cats need places to climb, cubbies to hide in, things to scratch, and someone with whom to play. Catios are awesome!

4. Care for your cat and meet its needs for fresh food, clean water, shelter, grooming, play, and companionship.

5. Socialize your cat. Spend quality time with your kitten and introduce it to other animals and people when it is young and impressionable so that it grows into a loving and well-adjusted animal.

6. Groom your cat regularly.

7. Vaccinate your cat every year, worm your cat every three months, and if your cat is acting differently, see your Vet.

8. Use a sturdy cage to transport your cat whenever it is off your property.

9. Spay or neuter your cat.

​

Veterinary Care

A cat-only Veterinary clinic is what I recommend... click HERE to read more and I think you will agree. I found my feline-friendly Veterinary through Catvets.com.

The Pet Annual Wellness Plan (PAW) for your kitty is also a way to keep your fur-baby healthy and happy at every stage of life. In the event of an emergency, be prepared and keep an emergency clinic number on hand.

​

Bringing Your Kitten Home

• KITTENS MAY LEAVE FOR THEIR NEW HOME AT approx. 12 WEEKS OF AGE, depending on the maturity of each kitten.

• It is a common misconception that kittens can be separated from their mothers as early as 8 weeks old!!!  Kittens separated too early are at risk for developmental, social, and health issues. Here is more inmormation on the subject.

• Kitty Cature Cattery accepts pickups only, no delivery and/or off-site transaction sites. You must have a face-to-face meeting with me, the breeder, before finalizing the transfer of kitten(s). This assures compliance with The United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Kitty Cature is not a retail pet store. This is an enthusiastic hobby.

• Each adopted Kitten will go home with a complimentary kitten care package including the following: kitten food, a set of feeding bowls, toys that he/she is familiar with, and other miscellaneous items to help make the transition of your new fur-baby easier! Pictured below is an example of what one looks like.

• Each adopted kitten will go home with its up-to-date vaccination records along with a health guarantee (explained in my Contract).

• You will need a cat carrier. It is always safer for a pet to travel in a carrier while in a car. I will NOT let any of my kittens leave without a carrier, especially from the house to the car because Lil' kitty could escape. Kittens are usually scared and can easily get hurt if not placed securely in a carrier. I have cardboard carriers available to purchase for $10.00 (pictured below).