How To Care For Your Persian Kitten

Recommendations:

Taking your new Persian kitten home can be very exciting!  Hopefully, by sharing my experiences with you, the transition will be easier for you and your new kitten. 

I strive to use a holistic approach and natural homeopathic options when possible.  I use organic products and feed only the best foods.  I'm a firm believers in good products that work!

YOUR NEW KITTY IS HOME:

Persians are indoor cats ONLY.  They will depend on you to take good care of them and protect them from harm.  

Having said that...

When you're done doting over your new kitten, place him in a small area in your home with food and water and allow kitten to come out of the carrier when he is ready to explore. The open carrier will serve as his temporary safe place and a heating pad set on low placed under the carrier is comforting.  Later you can move the heating pad to a more convenient place for him to enjoy at leisure.   
The biggest mistake people make is allowing the Persian kitten to roam the whole house instead of gradually introducing them over a period of a week or two.  If you have other pets, do not let them together for a minimum of a week and allow them to get to know one another through a screened door or under a door.  Cats can smell extremely well and this will give them time to exchange smells without direct confrontation.  Placing a blanket that the new kitten has slept on in the bed of the existing household pet will help with scent exchange.   Baby steps work best with introductions.  

INSURANCE:  For 30 days FREE pet insurance (NO DEDUCTIBLE), call Trupanion within 24 hours of taking your kitten home.  You never know when something unexpected can go wrong.  This is not preventative care.  The premium is the cheapest when your kitten is young.  Do yourself a favor and at minimum do some research.  They pay 90% and premium never changes, which is why it's so important to get it as soon as taking your kitten home within 24 hrs.  I recommend this Insurance at minimum for the first year. 

 VACCINATIONS:

Your Persian kitten will be up to date on all vaccinations and parasite control.  Depending on the age you purchase your kitten, he may need additional vaccinations and will also need a yearly booster vaccination and Rabies shot.  PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW YOUR KITTY TO RECEIVE VACCINATIONS ON THE DAY THEY ARE SPAYED OR NEUTERED.  VACCINATIONS RARELY DO BUT CAN HAVE BAD REACTIONS, DO NOT PUT KITTY IN THIS SITUATION, JUST IN CASE.  AT 4 pounds they are generally ready to be altered. Never vaccinate when kitty is ill or at the same time of any surgery.  The parents of your kitty have been genetically tested for PKD and are Negative. 

PARASITE CONTROL:

I like to use Revolution topically, on a monthly basis after his bath.  You can purchase this from your vet.  Revolution is a topical ointment for fleas and deworming and placed behind the ears at the top of the neck.  I recommend Revolution because it also works for ear mites. Micro-chipping can provide peace of mind should a door accidentally be left open.  Microchipping is very inexpensive and it's quick and easy to do. Powderpuff Persians is a Parasite free cattery with random parasite testing done.

FEEDING:

Your kitten will be eating high quality canned wet food when you take him home   I feed  both canned food and allow them to free graze the dry food.  I prefer to feed the canned food only, if they'll eat it, as that is much healthier for them.  If you should decide to feed anything other than what he is used to, it is VERY important  to remember to do so over a period of two weeks and gradually switch them over by mixing the foods together.  If you notice anything abnormal after changing the diet, slowly return to the same food.  I also recommend adding probiotics supplements to the food.  Gastro Plus by PawTree or Purina Forti Flora is AMAZING for keeping those tootsie rolls regular.  Haha!  Also, Daily supplements are important for Persians.  They need the extra Lysine and Tourine.  Next, add a few drops per day of Cod Oil to help reduce shedding, especially in the spring.  The oil will also help prevent kidney issues as well.  A few drops is all you need.  When you want to spoil them a little, You can still give a SMALL dollop of goat yogurt and/or Pure pumpkin as a treat.   They love it and it's good for them!  Another treat option that will encourage your kitten to drink is freezing chicken or beef broth in ice cube trays and let it melt over the warm wet food.  Persian cats need plenty of fresh water to help keep the kidneys functioning properly. Distilled water helps prevent tear stains on white Persian kittens. I also recommend a filtered ceramic or stainless steel water fountain (filter changed every 7 days) and distilled or filtered water.  

Freeze dried treats are very healthy, high protein treats that they love!

TRAVEL: 

Traveling with your new Persian kitten can be fun and exciting!  When I set up the carrier to transport the kittens, I always use a stay dry pad in the bottom, just in case.  These pads work like a diaper and are very absorbent.  Called dry-fur pads.  I add a soft blanket inside to cuddle that has a familiar home smell.  

The kittens should be offered food and water as soon as possible upon arrival to their new home. Persian kittens travel pretty good if you talk to them and reassure them that they are okay. They also ride very well in the car and are happy to see a litter box in the back floorboard after a very long day of travel.

GROOMING:

I recommend combing your kitten about 3-5 times per week, when he is sleepy.  A long tooth metal comb works best.  Be sure to comb the belly and back of legs.  I like to shave the belly and potty patch on my cats, and all the kittens learn to get their potty patch shaved before leaving.  The vet or groomer can help with this when you go for an annual exam and vaccinations. A lion cut is a refreshing break from grooming, and looks adorable if you decide you need a break from combing. When grooming your kitten, do it in short sessions and be sure to keep it a pleasant experience.  Remember, it is Very important to make sure ALL tangles are gone BEFORE wetting the fur.   I recommend bathing your kitten twice a month with Dawn blue dishwashing liquid, followed by your favorite pet shampoo. pawTree has a wonderful pet shampoo that is purrfect for kitty.  Wait a minimum of two weeks after getting your new kitten, before giving him a bath.  Be sure the water is not too hot and provide a skid free pad for him to stand on in the sink.  Let him rest his front feet on the sink divider in the middle and only use a washcloth on the face.  Rinse well!!! Rinse again. Ha! Remember,  ONE drop of water in the nose could cause pneumonia, so be careful not to get water in the face.  Add ear drops (from vet) to dry and clean ears.  After bath, blow-dry until completely dry to prevent matting.  Be sure the blow dryer doesn't burn him and start drying the tail first, allowing him to hide his head in the towel.  Hold him by the back of the neck if he is resisting.  The more often you give him a bath when he is little, the easier it will be when he is older.  Wet a cotton round pad with Bausch & Lomb eye cleanser (with boric acid) to wipe the eyes clean Daily.  Use one pad for each eye. Wipe towards the middle to prevent smearing stains.  Ask your vet about dental care during annual examinations.  Perio-Support can be sprinkled on the food to prevent tartar build-up.  Also,  dental treats work great in addition to the Perio-Support.

SPAY/NEUTER:

Everyone that purchases a kitten from me must sign a legal contract agreeing to have their kitten altered by 5 months of age.  Time IS of the essence regarding this issue.  Cats are healthier and happier if they are altered.  Not doing so can cause behavioral and health issues.  Some kittens will be altered before purchasing, according to weight and age. 

 We reserve the right to randomly spay or neuter any kitten to help prevent undercover breeder buyers.   

LITTER BOX INFORMATION:

When I started my cattery I bought several types of litter boxes and was never able to totally get rid of the smell or mess.  Not to mention, I was spending a fortune constantly buying and carrying in the cat litter.  Then I discovered the Litter-Robot- WOW! What a difference!!! I can't say enough good things about this box.  The amount of litter you will cut back on is incredible and the smell is literally gone! You can use any type clumping litter although the Litter-Robot litter is the BEST.   Change the carbon filters once a month and the smell all but disappears! Also, with the steps attached to the box, the mess is basically gone!. One Robot is good for at least 3-5 cats and you will NEVER scoop again! Worth every penny!! You will love it or you can return it within 90 days.  I teach my kittens to use the Litter-Robot from the beginning.  I was so impressed with this company, I decided to become a representative.  If you have any questions regarding the Litter-Robot, feel free to contact me. I can't imagine a cattery without them!  Also, should you decide you need this in your life, I will give you  $25 OFF when you visit my personal link at the bottom of this page. Please ask for this link if you do not see it.  Any time you need to order more litter, just visit my link at PowderpuffPersians.com.  I appreciate your support and your kitty will be very happy.

PRODUCT SUGGESTIONS SUMMARY:

*Trupanion Pet Insurance

*Revolution flea and parasite control 

*Freeze Dried treats 

*goat yogurt (NO DAIRY), organic pure pumpkin. 1 teaspoon twice a day as aTREAT

*Cats Pre/Probiotics, Tourine, and Lysine 

*Cod Liver Oil/fish oil/salmon oil (couple drops a day helps with shedding in spring and fall

*Ceramic (dishwasher safe) water fountain and spare filters to change weekly.

*stay dry pad and carrier that is VERY secure (Smile.Amazon.com)

*Feliway spray or plug-ins (CHEWY.COM)

*freshly grown catnip (organic-non gmo seeds) CHEWY.com

*A cat tree is a must have and will collect lose fur from kitty. (chewy.com)

*Dawn blue dishwashing liquid

*round cotton pads to clean the eyes with warm water or preferably eye wash solution mentioned below.  One pad for each eye and one to dry.  Do not use the same pad on both eyes. The idea is to prevent cross contamination.  Do not get it in the nose.  Please research the Persian Cat and eye care if not familiar with this breed.  A rust looking stain around the eyes on extreme face cats is normal. They will need cleaned more often than the doll face Persian kittens.

*Floor and home cleaning solutions that are pet safe and toxic-free.

*Litter -Robot Clumping Litter

*Long tooth metal combs will keep your Persian kittens free of mats.

*pet clippers and thinning shears in place of scissors. 

*heating pad with low setting and blanket

*Soft Claws colored nail caps

*Pet nail clippers

*Vetri-Science Perio Dental support supplement (Smile.Amazon.com)

*Bausch & Lomb Advanced Eye Relief eye wash solution for people (the kind that includes boric acid)

I represent the Litter-Robot because I LOVE this litter box.  In my opinion, none of the others boxes begin to compare!  Most owners ask what the kittens use and this is the box to have.  We start them from the beginning with the Litter-Robots and we have had nothing but good luck with them. They love it because it's always clean! You can use any clumping litter.  We use the Litter-Robot litter because the price is comparable to any other litter and the Litter-Robot litter is less dusty AND no added chemicals.  My cats prefer this litter when given a choice. Also, we use the liner bags for convenience, although you do not have to use bags at all. The Robot LINK is on my home page.