Frequently Asked

Questions

Below are a few of the most commonly asked questions I receive...

1. Question: I currently have a female cat. Would it be better to purchase a male or female as a companion?

Answer: I’ve found females to be more sensitive when it comes to accepting another female kitten – but ultimately, they’ll adapt! I can honestly say I’ve never had a single case of a kitten not being accepted by the resident cat. Watch introducing a dominant kitten to a dominant adult (I call them alpha cats). The sparks will fly. If you have a dominant cat in residence, look for a laid back, sweet tempered kitten for a companion. The bottom line is… gender selection is really more of a personal choice – and once they’re spayed/neutered, there’s not a whole lot of difference.

2. Question: Is it okay to let my kitten/cat outside?

Answer: Not in this lifetime – and not one of MY kittens! Diseases, cat fights, unplanned pregnancies, attacks by wild animals, traffic, perverted people that deliberately hurt innocent animals, and theft are just a few compelling reasons to keep “Fluffy” indoors!

3. Question: I’m concerned about a kitten destroying my furniture and am considering declawing.

Answer: Scratching is second nature to cats. To quote Dr. Christianne Schelling, “Declawing is not like a manicure. It is serious surgery that drastically alters your cat’s paws and affects its entire body and psyche. Your cat’s claw is not a toenail. It is actually closely adhered to the bone. So closely adhered that to remove the claw, the last bone of your cat’s claw has to be removed. Declawing is actually an amputation of the last joint of your cat’s “toes”. It is comparable to amputating the tip of your finger at the last joint.”

Many breeders have scratching posts available and work with their kittens to properly train them prior to adoption. If they’re properly trained at an early age, and are provided with scratching materials in their new home (i.e., scratching post with sisal rope or burlap fabric, the back of old carpeting strategically placed, or the highly portable cardboard scratching blocks available in pet supply stores) you should not have a problem.

There are options available, such as Soft Paws (rubber tips that your veterinarian can glue onto the claws) that help control scratching.

4. Question: My cat just died of Feline Leukemia and I want to bring a new kitten into my home. Do you have any kittens available?

Answer: This type of question triggers many concerns to a breeder such as… When did you lose your cat? Do you have other cats that are still present in the home? Have they been tested, quarantined, and re-tested? What have you done to decontaminate your home? (Note: I would personally insist that the new kitten receive the Leukemia vaccine prior to being adopted. The cost for this would be passed on to the buyer.). My best recommendation is to speak with your veterinarian and follow his/her advice for bringing a new pet home.

5. Question: My children want a kitten for Christmas. Do you have any available?

Answer: How OLD are your children? Have they cared for an animal previously? Are they old enough to accept responsibility for a kitten/cat… and by that I mean, feeding them, keeping the litter box clean and changed regularly, and observant enough to recognize if the kitten/cat became ill? In a situation like this, unless the parent is personally committed, the kitten can, and will suffer.

Another word of caution… Siamese and Orientals make wonderful family pets, but small children can squeeze the life out of a kitten in about as much time as it takes for an adult to walk from one room to another and back again… or accidentally let the kitten escape outside… or step or fall on the kitten, etc., etc., etc. You must be prepared to supervise a small child very closely and be certain they understand and abide by the “rules.”

One last point… Christmas (or any other busy holiday) is the WORST possible time to introduce a new kitten to the family. Choose a time when life within the household is normal and less stressful in order to allow your kitten time to adjust properly.


Here's a few links you may find helpful!

· Feline Pine
· Iams - Eukanauba
· The Mouse Factory
· Cat Toys.com
· Feline Breeders Referral List

· Meezermania

 · Cat Fanciers Association
· Cornell University Veterinary School
· Talk to the Vet
· Dr. Larry Pet Vet
· Vet Info for Cats
· Cats International Articles