Kitten care
So you are able to take the best care of your new baby, here are some care instructions and answers to common questions I receive.
Persians make wonderful pets, however they do require special care. During their early weeks of life they have been kept safely inside my home. All they have ever known is my family and their mama. They have not been exposed to the outside world and just like human babies they require vaccines and safety precautions so they can grow up happy and healthy. Your kitten has been handled and loved and kissed on by my entire family since the day it was born. Each baby is so special and unique and I am so thankful to find wonderful homes for each one. Please always reach out if you have any questions.
First Night Home: Your kitten will go home at around 12 weeks old. This is a very young age for a kitten. They do not need a lot of space to roam at this age. While learning their new home they should be 100% supervised. If they must be left alone please make sure it is for small periods and they are confined to a bathroom or bedroom with their litter and food close by. This is only until they learn their new environment and you are able to trust them to have more freedom. It is very important to cat proof your home for their safety. Even though they have done so well learning the litter box they are having to learn again where it is located at their new home. The first few nights home they may even cry and look for their mama and siblings. This is normal. After a few days they will learn a new routine with you and become more settled. They may not eat as much as they are scared and nervous. Some kittens do well while others need more time. Please be patient and gentle with your kitten while they learn to depend on you and trust you.
Litter box: Your kitten has been trained using the litter box with Pelletized Bedding for horses and small animals also known as pine pellets. I normally find a big 40 lb bag at Tractor Supply for $6.99. Not only is this litter inexpensive but it's clean and safe for babies to learn to use. Unlike clay litter that can be harmful if swallowed, pine pellets are a lot less appealing for the kittens to eat. I like to use a sifter box with a puppy pad between the sifter and bottom box. The pad soaks up pee and makes the pellets that turn to powder when wet an easy clean up. Trust me, this is way better than scooping clay litter and your kittens paws will thank you.
Feeding: Your baby has been eating Royal Canine Mother & Babycat or Purina One Kitten dry food. A small amount will be going home with them so you are able to transition them to whatever food you prefer. Please leave water and food out 24/7. Raw or Wet food can be slowly introduced but make sure to watch out for tummy upsets. Any fast changes in diet can cause soft or watery stools. I highly recommend Tiki Cat canned food and Viva Raw. If you are interested in learning more about Raw food please reach out. I make batches of my own. For messy drinkers there is a company called Charlie’s Critters. Charlie hand makes a ceramic water bowl called The Mound with a small mouth hole so your Persians scruff becomes less wet and messy. This is honestly a must have. She created this design and patented it years ago and many show breeders order from Charlie. Without a bowl like this your kitten will be left with a continuously dirty and wet chin and neck that will build up dirt and oils and the hair will fall out.
Vet Checkup: Persian kittens need to be at least 8 weeks and close to 2 lbs to receive their first vaccine. We will take them anywhere between 9 and 10 weeks depending on their growth. The vet looks at their eyes, ears, joints and listens to their heart and lungs. They are tested for worms and given their first vaccine. They will need another check up and vaccine twice more every 4 weeks . A rabies vaccine can be given at 16 weeks. All Dams and Sires have been tested negative against FIV/FELV/HW and DNA tested negative against PKD-1. They are also all up to date on shots. If you wish to spay or neuter your Persian, this can be done at 16 weeks.
.
Flea & Worm Preventative: My Persians are given flea treatment on an as needed basis. I have had great success with Bravecto and Revolution. At the moment our cattery is flea free so your baby has not been given anything for fleas. If you see any in the future please speak with your vet about what they recommend for treatment as Persians are very sensitive to liquid Flea medicine. If for any reason fleas are spotted we will give them a dose of Revolution before they go home and notify you of this. Most flea medication cannot be given until they are 8 weeks and 2 lbs.
Bathing: The frequency of baths will depend on your Persian's fur. A Persian cat will begin to look greasy as it becomes dirtier, and mats will increase quickly if the cat is not bathed. Your kitten was given a bath multiple times before they came home. If you wish to bathe your Persian DO NOT get water in their ears or nose as this can cause pneumonia. It is best to have them get used to grooming while they are small. I have tried many soaps, and the blue Dawn dish soap actually works great at cutting out dirt and grease and leaving the cat's fur soft and clean. This is really the only product you need for kitten fur. You need to dilute the Dawn with water 4:1. Make sure to rinse, rinse and rinse some more! I recommend a monthly bath. Different products can be used when your kitten gets their adult coat, or you are grooming to show. We have tried many different products and my go to products are Groomers Goop, Les Poochs F&T Degreaser, Chris Christensen Clean Start, Chris Christensen Thick & Thicker and Kelco Demat. I use a Flying Pig dryer for a nice blow out to get every strand of hair dry and fluffy.
Coat Maintenance: Persian cats have a long, silky double-coat which will matt and tangle easily if not brushed daily. A typical cat brush is not effective on a Persian cat’s fur. A wide toothed stainless steel comb is the most effective at detangling. Problem areas include: behind the ears, under the chin, the stomach area, and underneath each arm. If you comb the whole coat daily (spending a bit more time in the problem areas) your cat will never have a mat!
Eye Cleaning: Most Persian cats have “weepy” eyes and, if left untouched, can stain and build up around the cat’s eyes; sometimes leading to infection. Their eyes will need to be gently wiped daily. I recommend using Pink Paw Eye Wash on a cotton round. I have tried many different washes and solutions and this eye wash seems to be the least irritating. You can also use warm water on microfiber towel. Some cats are sensitive to eye cleaning solutions. You can comb around the eyes with a small flea comb to help get out any dried up crusties from the fur. I recommend keeping a tube of Terramycin. This is used if your cat ever develops an eye cold or an infection in the eye. Optixcare Eye Lube is also fantastic for dry eyes or ulcers.
Ear Cleaning: Persian cats have smaller and fuzzier ears than most breeds so it’s easy for ear infections to go unnoticed or untreated. It’s important to inspect your cat’s ears as part of the grooming process and to clean them if they appear oily or dirty. Use a cotton ball moistened with ear cleaner to gently wipe the cat’s ears. Make sure to see a veterinarian if there is discharge or a bad odor. Pink Paw makes a fantastic ear cleaner as well.
Nail trimming: Persians, like all cats, will need their nails trimmed. Front claws should be cut every couple weeks, but back claws grow slower and can be done less often.
Hairballs: Your Persian cat will inevitably develop hairballs, but brushing and washing on a regular basis will greatly help prevent them from occurring. You can also give a hairball formula (often malt flavored) to your cat to help prevent and treat hairball problems.
Dental care: Brushing your Persian’s teeth, as with any cat, will help reduce tartar buildup and prevent dental disease. You can also get specially designed treats to help break down tartar.
