NIKARL SIBERIAN CATTERY
"Home of Loving Kittens of Exceptional Quality"
Purchase NEW items for your kitten, never used! (Exception: baby blankets)
No vaccines for 2 - 3 years after first one-year FVRCP booster! No “modified live” vaccines! Use caution in your decisions on vaccinations. NO F.I.P. VACCINE! Most veterinarians do not advise giving the F.I.P. vaccine. NO RABIES VACCINE AT SAME TIME AS FVRC! No vaccines during times of stress.
As soon as you take your new kitten home, put him/her in her own quiet area with a litter box, food and water, toys, a cozy bed, and her carrier with door opened or removed. Place a cushioned pad and soft blanket in the carrier.) Your cat’s carrier should be perfectly clean, inside and outside ---like it was when it came from the store! Carriers should never be stored in cold or hot areas and must be disinfected after every use.
Allow your kitten to have time to adjust to his/her new home! She will need your attention, affection and reassurance, along with a peaceful environment. Just hold off introducing your new friend to other pets and very young children. Very soon, your kitten will want to sleep with you. If the kitten is older than eight weeks, this is okay. You would not want to smother your kitten while you sleep.
When you take your kitty out to the family room or living room, carry him in a baby blanket and hold him in your arms. Let him become accustomed to the sounds in your home. You will know when he is ready to explore without trying to hide in fear. Do not let him get under or behind an appliance or furniture. If he is fearful, put him back in his “safe” area where he can “hide” securely in his open carrier or in his bed.
Children should be supervised when playing with an animal. Too much noise and excitement can bring stress that could lead to illness. Encourage interactive toys. When kitty does not want to play, let him rest, maybe take a nap on your lap, or hidden away in your bedroom on your bed (with litter box, food and water nearby).
Keep dry food (Wellness Kitten formula) always available, and make sure it is fresh and clean. (After your cat is 2 or 3 years of age, you can change from kitten formula to adult.) Keep fresh water available also. Give fresh water in clean ceramic dish every day! Feed quality canned food or cooked chicken once or twice a day. If kitty develops diarrhea or a little loose stool, discontinue canned food. Continue with dry food and cooked chicken diet. (Organic chicken is recommended.) If stool remains loose longer than a day, consult your veterinarian.
Other foods to consider: Dry: Wellness CORE; Solid Gold; Raw Instinct. Canned: Wellness Kitten or Adult (chicken, turkey); Pinnacle. (Stay away from seafood varieties, except occasionally.) Remember to keep informed on recalled foods!
I mix 2 varieties of cat and/or kitten foods together in a bowl, then add a vitamin/mineral supplement (Pet Tinic or Felovite II), along with ½ tsp. of Viralys per cat and give each kitten and cat about one tablespoonful in a “dollop” on a plate. I also sometimes use Science Diet “a-d” canned food that you can purchase from your veterinarian.
Canned food mixture: Kittens, 4-7 weeks old: THREE TO FOUR TIMES A DAY; 8-12 weeks old: TWICE A DAY; continue with twice a day for smaller or “runt” kittens until 6 months old. After 6 months of age, once a day for canned food, along with serving of cooked chicken or beef 3 or more times a week. Dry Science Diet Kitten food should always be available.
For ill or recovering cats: Give about 1 inch of Nutri-Cal, Nutri-stat or Vita-Cal once a day, more if not eating much. I also give a tiny bit (about the size of a baby kitten’s nose) of Nutrical once every other day for 7 to 10 days to infant kittens in large litters, especially the tiny ones...3 to 4 times daily to weak or less active kittens.
I also give 2 supplemental feedings a day (KMR) for first 2 weeks or more. At 2 ½ weeks, I start adding some KMR 2nd Step or Gerber’s Rice Cereal to the formula. Mom cat gets all she wants to eat and I add about ½ inch of Nutrical to her canned food twice a week! Ask your veterinarian about vitamin/mineral supplements.
Remember that Siberian cats are carnivores and are healthier when fed a high meat protein diet! (Avoid foods that use a lot of grain proteins.) I advise caution in the feeding of strictly raw diets. Raw meat can harbor some harmful bacteria, so I advise some cooking of it. Also, use only organic meats, and no raw or undercooked poultry!
Remember to “kitten-proof” your home! Put safety plugs in electrical outlets. Protect wiring from potential chewing. And check kitty toys for safety! Cut off loose or tiny parts that can be ingested. Some toys, like those with feathers or foil, should only be for interactive play between you and Kitty!
Remember to make an appointment with your veterinarian immediately, and take a stool sample with you at your first visit, along with veterinary record. Your kitty should be seen by your veterinarian within 3-4 days after going to your home. I recommend waiting one week for kitten to adjust to new home before vaccinations or blood tests.
For those who adopt kittens from me, receive a 40% discount on a pet portrait!
Artist, Nikki Wharton-Eby
419-832-1500
Cherish your new precious friend!
Items to purchase for Cat/Kitten (New items) and Important Information...
A medium-size carrier: Keep in your house and keep perfectly clean, inside and out. Leave door open & blanket inside. A scratching post, preferably with sisal rope, large/sturdy enough to not be tipped over when the cat uses it.
Nail Clippers and Metal Combs
A cozy bed
Baby blankets (4 or more)
A cat tree/condo (They love to play and sleep on these!) Any size, but Siberians love to climb high!
Two new jumbo litter boxes (covered) and a litter sifter for each cat.
Swheat Scoop litter or Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Scoopable (red label)
Ceramic crock (medium-large) for water and Ceramic crock (medium-large) for dry food.
Small ceramic plates for canned food.
DRY FOODS: Wellness Healthy Kitten (Adult formula for cats over 3 years of age)
Other holistic dry cat/kitten foods. Wellness CORE. Solid Gold. EVO. Raw Instinct. Royal Canin Babycat dry food for weaning and young kittens.
CANNED FOODS*: Purchase small or tiny cans only. Never store food in cans.
I mix 2 brands together and add vitamin supplements, including Viralys*, (+ baby food meat or canned chicken sometimes.), Pinnacle poultrycanned food; Wellness canned kitten or cat food. Other holistic cat and kitten foods. NO WHEAT OR WHEAT GLUTEN. Watch for updates on pet food recalls.
Purchase a small variety of canned food. If something causes loose stool, do not give it again to that kitten. Lamb and Rice, Chicken and Turkey products are usually more easily digested. No tuna! When feeding canned food, give only one rounded teaspoonful or tablespoonful in mound on plate once a day for adult cats that are eating dry food; two to four times a day for kittens, depending on how young the kittens are and if they are eating dry food. (Give Royal Canin Babycat dry food to tiny kittens, along with Science Diet Kitten dry food in separate bowl and feedings of KMR Second Step and canned food.) Baby food: Chicken, Turkey & Beef only. Add to canned food about once a week. Vitamin Supplement (Felovite II, Pet-Tinic drops, Viralys; ask veterinarian) *Add ½ tsp.Viralys to canned food daily. Vitacal, Nutrical & Nutristat are excellent supplements for underweight, ill and undernourished cats, recovering cats and pregnant or nursing cats, as well as infant kittens. Keep on hand!
Keep fresh dry kitten/cat food always available in clean dish. (Do not feed dog food to cats!) Never give milk to cats, except KMR or First Born formula to infant and weaning kittens. Purified drinking water is highly recommended to give to your pets and to keep available constantly in a clean ceramic bowl. When cats have diarrhea or vomiting, give them Pedialyte (unflavored) or Smart Water. Either of these can be given straight with an oral syringe, or added to fresh drinking water. And Call your vet!
Toys are important, but some are not safe. Remove loose parts. Do not purchase toys made of foil, sponge, Styrofoam or fuzzy material that can be ingested. Toys on a string should not be available to cats without supervision, as cats could get tangled in the string and hang or choke themselves. I highly recommend interactive toys on a string and pole that are only gotten out for play during your special time with your cats. Other recommended toys for cats and kittens: Plastic Balls, various sizes, with and without bells inside. If bells inside, buy only solid closed balls. I also recommend "Circle" toys with balls or mice to chase. (These are very important! Get a variety!) Also, Catnip “pillow” toys to get out occasonally for play. (Throw away when chewed or very soiled.) Soft Plush Balls and plush animals (Some dog toys) These can be laundered and air-dried.
KITTY-PROOF YOUR HOME! COVER ELECTRICAL OUTLETS & PROTECT KITTENS FROM WIRING AND CORDS. Do not leave string, yarn or rubber bands where cats can reach them. NEVER GIVE CATS ASPIRIN OR CHOCOLATE. NO TINSEL, mistletoe or holly at Christmas time! Some house plants are toxic to cats!
SUPERVISE YOUNG CHILDREN AROUND PETS. It does not take long for a kitten to die of strangulation from mishandling by a child. Also, small kittens can be injured or killed by being accidentally stepped on.
Contrary to popular yet mythical belief, cats do need human companionship and affection on a regular daily basis. Your cat needs to be part of your family life with time set aside for interactive playtime and cuddling.
A medium-size carrier: Keep in your house and keep perfectly clean, inside and out. Leave door open & blanket inside. A scratching post, preferably with sisal rope, large/sturdy enough to not be tipped over when the cat uses it.
Nail Clippers and Metal Combs
A cozy bed
Baby blankets (4 or more)
A cat tree/condo (They love to play and sleep on these!) Any size, but Siberians love to climb high!
Two new jumbo litter boxes (covered) and a litter sifter for each cat.
Swheat Scoop litter or Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat Scoopable (red label)
Ceramic crock (medium-large) for water and Ceramic crock (medium-large) for dry food.
Small ceramic plates for canned food.
DRY FOODS: Wellness Healthy Kitten (Adult formula for cats over 3 years of age)
Other holistic dry cat/kitten foods. Wellness CORE. Solid Gold. EVO. Raw Instinct. Royal Canin Babycat dry food for weaning and young kittens.
CANNED FOODS*: Purchase small or tiny cans only. Never store food in cans.
I mix 2 brands together and add vitamin supplements, including Viralys*, (+ baby food meat or canned chicken sometimes.), Pinnacle poultrycanned food; Wellness canned kitten or cat food. Other holistic cat and kitten foods. NO WHEAT OR WHEAT GLUTEN. Watch for updates on pet food recalls.
Purchase a small variety of canned food. If something causes loose stool, do not give it again to that kitten. Lamb and Rice, Chicken and Turkey products are usually more easily digested. No tuna! When feeding canned food, give only one rounded teaspoonful or tablespoonful in mound on plate once a day for adult cats that are eating dry food; two to four times a day for kittens, depending on how young the kittens are and if they are eating dry food. (Give Royal Canin Babycat dry food to tiny kittens, along with Science Diet Kitten dry food in separate bowl and feedings of KMR Second Step and canned food.) Baby food: Chicken, Turkey & Beef only. Add to canned food about once a week. Vitamin Supplement (Felovite II, Pet-Tinic drops, Viralys; ask veterinarian) *Add ½ tsp.Viralys to canned food daily. Vitacal, Nutrical & Nutristat are excellent supplements for underweight, ill and undernourished cats, recovering cats and pregnant or nursing cats, as well as infant kittens. Keep on hand!
Keep fresh dry kitten/cat food always available in clean dish. (Do not feed dog food to cats!) Never give milk to cats, except KMR or First Born formula to infant and weaning kittens. Purified drinking water is highly recommended to give to your pets and to keep available constantly in a clean ceramic bowl. When cats have diarrhea or vomiting, give them Pedialyte (unflavored) or Smart Water. Either of these can be given straight with an oral syringe, or added to fresh drinking water. And Call your vet!
Toys are important, but some are not safe. Remove loose parts. Do not purchase toys made of foil, sponge, Styrofoam or fuzzy material that can be ingested. Toys on a string should not be available to cats without supervision, as cats could get tangled in the string and hang or choke themselves. I highly recommend interactive toys on a string and pole that are only gotten out for play during your special time with your cats. Other recommended toys for cats and kittens: Plastic Balls, various sizes, with and without bells inside. If bells inside, buy only solid closed balls. I also recommend "Circle" toys with balls or mice to chase. (These are very important! Get a variety!) Also, Catnip “pillow” toys to get out occasonally for play. (Throw away when chewed or very soiled.) Soft Plush Balls and plush animals (Some dog toys) These can be laundered and air-dried.
KITTY-PROOF YOUR HOME! COVER ELECTRICAL OUTLETS & PROTECT KITTENS FROM WIRING AND CORDS. Do not leave string, yarn or rubber bands where cats can reach them. NEVER GIVE CATS ASPIRIN OR CHOCOLATE. NO TINSEL, mistletoe or holly at Christmas time! Some house plants are toxic to cats!
SUPERVISE YOUNG CHILDREN AROUND PETS. It does not take long for a kitten to die of strangulation from mishandling by a child. Also, small kittens can be injured or killed by being accidentally stepped on.
Contrary to popular yet mythical belief, cats do need human companionship and affection on a regular daily basis. Your cat needs to be part of your family life with time set aside for interactive playtime and cuddling.
