Seven Streams Proudly Presents:

the

Mom and Dad Manual
for your new kitten

 

Congratulations on your new Seven Streams kitten!
Below is the basic information you will need to prepare your
home for your new family member!!



Food and water:

The ideal diet for a cat is grain-free and raw.  When I first began our cattery,
my intention after much research was to feed a 100% raw diet, at which time I became a full time food preparer and dish washer, seriously.  So I modified my program, still including the raw, but also using both canned and kibble.
Raw is the most desirable and perfect diet for the cat.  Next is canned, and last in line is kibble.
If you're going to use canned and/or kibble, be sure that the ingredients are cat-friendly, without meat by-products, grains, and other fillers and preservatives. 

The raw food diet is not difficult if you have only a few cats.  Once you get into several cats and kittens that eat like pirranhas, is when it gets a bit overwhelming.  If you want to follow the raw food diet, there is a lot of great info on the net, just do a google search.  I have a page with more info on it too, here:

http://sevenstreamscymbrogi.com/A_Seven_Streams_Diet_Recommendations_For_Cats.htm

For canned food, I recommend Canidae Grain-Free Pure.  It comes in several flavors.
My cats all enjoy this and thrive on it.  Wellness Grain Free is also a good brand, but I don't think you get as much for your money, it's quite watery and usually more expensive.  You can find both of these foods on Amazon.  It's nice to have it delivered to your door as well.  Love Amazon!  Most Pet stores including Petco and Petsmart carry these brands.  Usually they don't carry the larger cans though, so if you want to save $, online shopping is the way to go!  There are other good canned foods out there but I use the Canidae because it has quality ingredients and is reasonable priced.

For kibble (dry food), I recommend Solid Gold Grain Free, Wellness Grain Free, Blue Buffalo Grain Free, or Blue Wilderness Grain Free.  My cats like all of these brands, and they seem to be interchangeable, that is they don't get an upset stomach if I switch from one to another.  This is nice, seeing as if I can't get one brand, I can opt for another without worry.

Generally, it is a good idea to change foods gradually, mixing in a small quantity of the new food with the old, then increasing the ratio over the course of several days until they are on the new food. If there is a stomach upset or diarrhea, then cut back on the new food until their system adjusts. With cheaper foods this is often an issue, but with the brands mentioned above,
I've never had a problem.

I feed the kittens up to 5X a day until they are about 6 weeks old, when I begin feeding 3X.
By the time they are ready to go home, 2 to 3 times a day should be sufficient.
They will let you know how much is enough.  If they leave food on the plate with 3 meals, you can probably cut back to 2 meals a day.  I also leave kibble out for free feeding.  Usually they have no interest in the kibble until they are quite a bit older, and normally I have to really coax them to believe me when I tell them the kibble "really is food!"   My current litter haven't even acknowledged the dry food yet, and there it sits. 

Fresh, clean water should be available at all times for your cat.  Pet fountains are a real treat, cats love the running water and it adds interest to their lives.  I use large rabbit bottles, for the sake of cleanliness.  When you use bowls, they tend to get dirty quickly because they love to play in them, and dip their paws in them.  Gandalf, one of my first boys, used to dip his paw into the water in the morning to wash his face.  A lovely habit but it doesn't make for clean drinking water, haha.

 

Dealing with Litter  (Ugg)

My search for the perfect litter was long and tedious.  :)  I finally found one I liked and that worked well and was all natural, appropriately named "The World's Best".  I was happy with it, until I noticed the big drain on my bank account.  So I came up with a better plan.  I buy the same thing (crumbled corn) at Feed and Ranch Supply stores, used to feed chickens.  I like Purina Layena Crumbles the best.  Be sure you get the crumbled corn and not the cracked which won't work at all, if you decide to get yours there.  I buy it by the 40 to 50 lb bag, for about $12. to $16., as opposed to 21 lbs for around $30. as sold at pet stores.  If you only have 1 or 2 kittens or cats, the small bag might be doable for you, but when you have more, the savings can really add up by buying the bigger bags.

I don't advocate using clay litters.  Clay is indigestible and if ingested can cause serious health issues.  Corn on the other hand, if accidentally ingested will not hurt them unduly, at least it didn't used to until Monsanto seized control of our food supply.  However, I have never, in all my long experience with the cattery, EVER seen a cat or kitten take even a nibble at the corn litter.  Which just goes to show you how cats themselves feel about all the companies that use "corn" as an ingredient in cat food.  If cats could only speak.

I also recommend using a larger than normal litter box, with high sides.  This provides a sense of privacy for the modest cat, and also helps protect litter from flying all over the place when they "bury" their waste.  I don't know if all cats are as enthusiastic in their burial practices as the Wegies, but some of mine are very serious about this ritual. 
For my older and larger cats, I buy big plastic storage totes at Wal Mart.  They have no problem jumping into these, and this really keeps the litter in the box instead of on the floor.

For more than one cat, I suggest another litter box or 2.  Placing one in each bathroom is a good idea.  This is very convenient for you as well.  Another feature that I love about the corn litter is that it's scoopable!!  Yes you can scoop right into the toilet and flush.  This really encourages keeping a perfectly clean box at all times. 

Clay, on the other hand, cannot be flushed, which just tells you what it would do to their intestines if ingested.  "Why would they ingest it?" you might ask.  Good question.  With clay, it can easily get stuck on their paws, esp. if they have been playing again in the water dish.  Clay stuck to their paws will be licked off and swallowed.  They tend to be meticulously clean creatures and love daily bathing themselves.  I had one queen whose primary purpose in life was to groom and care for herself, haha.  She would be one that would have gotten every particle of clay off of her paws, had I been using clay litter.

You should change the litter boxes regularly.  I'm not going to tell you how often, but as long as the box looks fresh and clean, that's good enough for me.  If there's any wilting or freshness gone, that's the time for a change.  You'll get the hang of it.

I know people highly recommend using bleach for the disinfectant, but my conscience won't allow me to use it.  I consider bleach to be a very dangerous poison, and won't have it in my house.  Instead, I wash litter boxes out with soap, borax, and water thoroughly, then spray with straight Apple Cider Vinegar.  Let that stand for 10 minutes, rinse, and then spray with an H202 solution, letting that stand for another 10 to 15 minutes.  Rinse, then spray with "Nature's Miracle" as the finishing touch.  Leave that on.  If it's a sunny day, I also leave the boxes out in the sun to complete the process.

Apple Cider Vinegar and H202 I use for all my household cleaning needs.  These are both safe and very effective.  I can't find the article that I just loved that gave great details on these, but it said that used in conjunction with each other they kill just about every known germ, bacteria, and virus.  You can't mix them together though, they form another compound if you do.  You must use them one at a time separately.  I have bottles of these in my house everywhere and use them for keeping things really clean.  Do a google search and you will see all the benefits you get from these 2 amazing products.

 

Vaccinations and Deworming:

I used to give two sets of vaccinations before sending my kittens to their new homes.  However, after a lot of research, and from seeing the effect of the vaccinations on my kittens at 8 weeks, I now wait til they are 10 or 11 weeks, before giving first shots.  I firmly believe this is in the best interest of the kittens long-term health.  I recommend 2nd shots from 4 to 6 weeks later, which you can give your kitten after he/she arrives home.  I do not recommend a third set of shots.  I give what are called the Feline Distemper 3 way shots which includes Feline Panleukopenia, Feline Viral Rhinotracheieitis, and Feline Calicivirus.
I believe any more than these 3 vaccinations are overload and unnecessary.  If you feel differently, then please give them one at a time with a space of time between shots, for the kittens well-being.

The Feline Leukemia vaccination will be unnecessary for your kitten, unless the kitten were to be subjected in your household to another cat that has leukemia.  As a strictly indoor cat, chances of exposure to the leukemia virus are almost nil.

Here are a couple of links that will give you some really good information about vaccinations and over-vaccinating:

http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/the-truth-about-pet-vaccines-you-wont-hear-from-your-vet/

http://www.catinfo.org/?link=vaccines

The rabies vaccination is required by most states also, and is either given here as required by age, or can be given by you when the kitten arrives home.  I recommend waiting until it is mandatory before giving it. 

Deworming:  Rather than give harmful dewormers to my cats and kittens, I give them a small dose of Olive Leaf Extract several times a week, stirred into their food.  They don't mind the taste and if they do at first they soon learn to love it, haha.  You can learn about this wonderful product here, this is where I purchase mine (I get the powder):

http://www.olivus.com/pet_care.htm

I also use Black Walnut and Wormwood tincture once or twice a month, which you can get on Amazon or any health food store.  I also stir this into their food.  Diatamaceous Earth is also recommended by many.  I give this occasionally as well.

The use of  these products do a great job keeping my cats and kittens free from parasites, bacteria, and viruses.  If more help is needed, Goldenseal Extract has never failed me.  The trick is to incorporate these into their regular diet, so no bad dudes have a chance to multiply in the gut.  Better prevention than after the fact.

Spaying and Neutering

I recommend waiting as long as possible before having your kitten altered, say 6 or 7 months for a female, and 7 or 8 months for a male.  If you see any signs of sexual maturity earlier than that then go ahead and have them fixed.  Personally I believe that having them fixed at a later age helps in their overall development, even affecting their immune systems and bone health.  It will also make them stronger to undergo the stress of the surgery when you do take them in to be altered.  Pick a time when the kitten is without issues and well-adjusted in your home.  For example, just after arriving in your home would not be a great time to take them in for surgery.  Let them become settled in your home first.

Outdoor Activities

Your Seven Streams kitten will be an indoor cat, but I highly recommend making some type of outdoor accomodations so they can spend time regularly outdoors in order to get plenty of fresh air and sunshine.  The added stimulation of the sights, sounds, and smells of the outdoors will add a lot of fun and interest to their life as well.  You can leash train your cat (many of my clients have), or you can build any type of outdoor shelter that would allow them to play safely outdoors.  If you have a proper fence, (one that can't be climbed or jumped, that works well, too.  I've used XL dog kennels for outdoor play areas that worked well.  At one point, I had the kennel set up right outside my living room window, so the cats could jump through the window right out into the kennel, and climb back in as they wished.  They really enjoyed that! 

Toys and Playtime

Kittens LOVE TOYS!!  I recommend having a big box full of toys, and redistributing them often to keep their interest up.  If they have their own stimulating toys, they are less likely to look around at your furniture, lamps, etc. with an gleam in their eye.  haha  They particularly like the mice and other stuffed animals that have catnip tucked inside. 

Not all toys sold at the pet store are worthy of the name however.  Watch for eyes that can easily be chewed off, tails and other body parts that come off easily, and seams that are poorly sewn and easily tear and rip apart.  A favorite at our house is milk bottle caps.  These can entertain even my older cats for hours!  Watch for strings or yarn that could be swallowed and don't have those toys in your house.

The exception are the "wands" that have feathers, strings, bells, etc.  I keep our wands in a container high on the wall where they can't reach them, and bring them out for "Play Time" only.  They really love this activity and it becomes extra special bonding time with you if you do it once a day at a specific time.  Cats love routine.  I suggest supper time in the evening, followed by a rest, and then around 8 or 9 o'clock, they tend to go into high gear.  You can use the wands at this time for a rousing game.  I also have a jar full of small liver treats.  Shake the jar and they come running!!  Throw the treats one at a time down the hall and watch them "chase the prey!"  This is great exercise, and they love it.  This is also a good time to bring out the laser light, one of their most favorite acitivies of all.

Scratching Posts and Trees

Cats LOVE to be up high, and if you provide them with their own tree, you may not have to worry about them climbing up to places where you'd rather they didn't go.   I highly recommend getting a tree, the higher the better.  This will benefit everyone involved, as cats are creatures of habit and once they take to their tree, you will know often where to find them.  If you can't afford a tree, you can cut down a nice tree limb, sand it, attach it to the wall angling upwards for them to climb up, and place a shelf at the top where they can perch.

Before your kitten arrives home, you should have the scratching posts and tree in place, ready for them to begin scratching in the appropriate place from Day One.  You want them to form a good habit right away, and once they have this habit down they will stick to it.  This is not at all difficult, just show them the post and they will take right to it.
I like to have several posts in the house in different rooms, to discourage scratching on the furniture.
 

Cleanliness and Grooming

Our kittens rarely need any grooming, usually needing none until they are 6 to 7 months old, when they may develop mats during the winter months, depending on the thickness of their coats.  Some of my cats have little or no matting, which makes for very  easy care.  Just brush them out daily during the springtime, as they shed their winter coats.  Other of my cats have extremely thick undercoats and mat up overnight.  You have to stay on top of these mats before they climb on your back and grab you by the throat.  haha 

I like to keep their nails trimmed, which I do myself and so can you.  The first time I did that there were 2 of us holding the cat down and I was so scared I was going to mess up.  But with a little practice it becomes second nature.  Just be sure you don't clip down into the red part.  One thing I do that helps accustom them to this procedure, is when they are sitting on my lap, I play with their feet, pushing their nail in and out gently.  They get used to this and it's become a habit of mine.   That way when it's time to clip nails, it doesn't bother them much. 

I check ears periodically also, to make sure there is no debris or wax build up.  If there is, I gently wipe it out with a cotton swab.  I use dilute boric acid for this.  You can also use olive oil, or vitamin E oil

Be sure to keep their eyes and ears clean or any debris also. 

Other than the above, they groom themselves, and each other if they have a companion. 
Grooming themselves is a big part of their day and generally they keep themselves meticulously clean. 


May you enjoy many years of fun and happiness with your new Companion!!

 

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