Does the Persian cat personality agrees with you?
Cats of different breeds have very different personalities. Persian cats are known to be calm, quiet, and docile. They are very delicate in their manners and the way they play, and they will require to be as delicate and careful in the way you handle them. If you like playing rough with your cat or you'd like a more energetic companion, this may not be the right breed for you. The good side of it is that they won't demand too much attention or exercise than other breeds. In my experience, they don't hiss or willingly scratch as much as other breeds. They do, however, get very scared with strangers, abrupt movements, and loud noises. Most Persian cats I've have didn't play much as adults or meowed often (Micky is an exception, he likes to talk!). When they do play, they do it in 5-minute-a-day bursts and their play feels like slow motion. Like other cats, they will follow you around the house and make you company, but won't always indulge you by sleeping on your lap or letting you pet them. That's a side of Persians many are unaware of, that they are usually very independent. At moments, their independence will make you feel they don't care about you, which is not true: They are very loving and they will miss you when you travel and even get mad at you for being absent. Of course, each cat is a different individual and they can develop very different personalities. While one kitten may grow to be very affectionate and sweet, another can become very independent and playful. In general, be prepared for a cat that is calmer, quieter, and more independent than others. They also tend to be picky eaters.
How much time, patience, and money are you willing to spend?
This question is not meant as a discouragement, but Persian cats are high maintenance. They simply are. Not understanding that may result in you being overwhelmed and having to rehome your cat, which is always traumatic for the cat. The pictures you see of kittens and adult Persian cats everywhere show these beautiful creatures at their best, being fully cared by someone who knows how to do it. Anyone can learn to care for a Persian kitten, of course. Their care, however, requires more time, expertise, and attention than other breeds do. First, the food. If you want a cat free of dandruff and skin or health problems in general, they need to be on a good diet. Then their coat. It requires daily brushing if you don't want them and you to suffer with their matted fur. Because they don't always enjoy brushing, especially where they need it, this will require patience and technique. And then you have the eyes, the watery eyes (or overflow of tears) that accumulates on their skin and, if not cleaned, can cause infection or become rust-brown and stain their faces and paws (as they try to clean themselves). Each cat reacts different to cleaning their eyes, so again, you'll need to be patient and learn the technique that best works for you.
Persian cats don't groom themselves as well as other breeds and their skin is on the oily side, so it's important to always be checking their skin for bruises, sensitive spots, and wax that builds on their ears. This also means that they may benefit from more frequent bathing than short-hair cats. It is also very likely that you'll have to deal with a puppy but now and then, even if you proactively give your cat a hygiene trim (trimming their backside). Other than that, Persian cats will require the same care as other breeds: trimming their claws (never, never declaw), cleaning their litter box and water/food bowl daily, vacuuming their hair around the house, visits to the vet when needed, vaccination and deworming, etc. All the above requires time and cost money, especially if you need to pay for professional grooming. Persian cat breeders often insist on the everyday care. It's true that some days you can get away with not doing it, but if you neglect your Persian cat, they will soon not look like the majestic creature you dreamed of. They will look ugly and, most important, they will be suffering.
Can you commit to a pet companion for life?
Don't take the decision of adopting or purchasing a cat lightly. Cats and dogs, or any other pets, are not disposable objects. They get attached to us, we become their family. Once we commit to them, we are responsible for their well being. Rehoming them can be very traumatic and result in behavioral problems, extreme sadness, and health issues. If you are considering adopting a cat, know that they live from 12 to 20 years (Indoor cats tend to live more for obvious reasons, they get fewer diseases and are exposed to fewer risks). My last Persian cat to pass was 19 years old. This is a big commitment. Are you willing to make such a commitment? Please reflect about that before purchasing or adopting a cat. We, as breeders, will forever care for the kittens we breed and part of your commitment will be to us, by promising to care and protect these beautiful creatures, and to treat them as family.
Your Persian kitten will change
Another thing to be aware of is that kittens change in color, shape, coat, and personality as they grow older. For example, in tabby Persian cats the black color, which is strong and sharp when kittens are small, becomes more diluted and brownish as they grow. Red change shades. Many diluted bicolors or calicos with the color cream look pretty much white as young kittens. I've had customers who felt deceived after witnessing changes in their kitten's color, but a breeder cannot predict all these changes. Just like any other baby animal, kittens will look very different as adults. Many times, the way they look will also depend on the care they receive. If you have a specific look you are aiming for, always consult with your breeder and ask for their input regarding the kitten's developmental changes.
Make sure your other pets are healthy
1 Two weeks before your new kittens arrives is a good time for you to take your other pets for a vet check. They should all be vaccinated, dewormed, free of infectious diseases, flees and other bugs. If an existing pet is found to be sick, there should be enough time for treatment. The vet will let you know if you should isolate the sick pet and for how long in case of contagious diseases.
2 Identify a veterinarian that specializes in cats. Depending on where you live, it might be difficult to find one, let alone find a vet who has a lot of experience with Persian cats. But it is worth looking for one. This can save you a lot of stress and money in the future. Ask other cat owners you know, search online, and make sure to have the contact for a good vet handy. Remember that, when bringing the kitten home, you'll have up to one week to take it for a vet consultation (and provide documentation of such a visit).
3 Our kittens are tested for toxoplasmosis, so children and pregnant women should be safe interacting with them. Because people can get accidently scratched or bitten by cats while playing with them, I recommend everyone in the family to be up to date with their tetanus and rabies vaccines. It is, of course, very uncommon for cats to infect humans with such diseases. For more information about diseases from animal scratching see the website of the Johns Hopkins Institute.
4 Cat proof and catify your home.
5 Purchase the basic care items in advance. In this COVID19 era, certain items may be more difficult to find locally, and you may have to purchase them online.
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Multi Pet Home
It is difficult to know how a new pet will adapt to existing pets. Usually, little kittens are pretty adaptable, but keep in mind that in our cattery kittens are not exposed to dogs or other animals. Existing pets will react differently to your new kitten and they most likely will feel a little jealous of the time you'll be spending with your new little one. The safest way to introduce your new kitten to existing pets is gradually. This first introduction is important, as it may set the tone to the relationship of your pets going forward. Here are some recommended steps:
At first, keep your kitten in a separate room, especially when you are not around.
Expose existing pets to objects that bear the kitten's scent. Introduce the kitten's scent during positive interactions with your existing pets, so they create good affective associations.
Let the kitten explore different spaces in your home without the presence of the other pets, so they get used to their scent.
Prepare the main areas of the home with places your new kitten can hide or climb up when it gets scared, or claim as its own. High and safe places near you were they can hang out will help develop their confidence.
When first letting your existing and new pet make eye contact, keep them separate with some kind of barrier. For example, a baby gate between rooms. Do that a couple times and, once you notice they are not too stressed with each others presence, feed them, each at their own side of the gate. This way they will learn they can trust each other in the same space.
To have them in the same room together, start by having your kitten contained (and protected) in a fenced area or a pet crate. You will get a sense when it is safe to let them share the space with no separation. This adaptation to each other varies depending on the pets, but it should always be gradual.
Don't forget to give your existing pets lots of attention too, so they do not associate the new pet with the feeling of being left out. Play and pet them, pamper them with affection.
Children
Parents don't like other people to tell them what to do when it comes to their children. That's fair. However, as our kittens' first (and forever) human mom, I am also very protective of them and I share with you the same advice you'll find about children and cats anywhere. Small children should not be left unattended with kittens or let them handle kittens on their own (without assistance). That's for the kitten's and your child's protection, since kittens may react aggressively when in pain or scared. If a child hurts a kitten or a kitten hurts a child, it is neither of their fault: It's the adults' fault. Here are some recommendations to make the relationship of your children and kitten as harmonious and happy as possible:
Assist small children when they are handling kittens or cats, teaching them how to do it properly and bring attention to actions that may hurt the cat
If your children are old enough, prepare them for the arrival of the kitten, explaining how to hold a kitten, what not to do to a kitten, teaching them how to play. Explain what the kitten's reaction will be if they hold them too tight, run after them, or inadvertently hit them with a hard object. You can show them pictures of happy and distressed kittens online to help them visualize the different situation that arise from their actions.
Make your child an ally, educating them as to what food is appropriate for the kitten, how to comb and groom it, and other necessary care.
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Minimizing Travel-Related Stress and Separation Anxiety
A big part of a new kitten's stress moving into a new home relate to the two topics discussed above: children and existing pets. But there are also a few other things you can do. For example:
In the first month, feed the kitten with the same dry and can food the kitten was fed in the cattery. This will avoid the additional stress of digestive problems during those first stressful two weeks. If you choose to change their diet, slowly introduce the new food by mixing it in with their usual food progressively in bigger ratios until you are only feeding them the new one.
Let your kitten have some alone time and make sure it has its meals in a quiet and free of stress environment (probably free of other pets)
Cats are habit creatures, a routine makes them calmer. Feed the kitten at the same times of the day, and also incorporate play time, cuddle time, and alone time on a regular schedule
Provide the kitten a place to sleep/hide where it feels safe (e.g., a card board box or a large carrier) and keep the fabric with its mom's scent inside it.
While keeping the kitten in a restricted space for the first week, encourage it to use different cat furniture and toys. As it starts to explore the new home, spread some of these objects with the kitten's scent around the places the kitten will use so it feels at home.
Kittens will slowly replace their cat mom for a human mom. That is usually the person who cares for the kitten more closely, feeding it and petting it. verbal communication is important of that connection to happen, as well as human contact. A small kitten will want to spend a lot of time cuddling with you (what a nuisance!) so don't hold back on affection. Progressively, they will become more independent, but that takes a few months. Don't hold that against it. Cats go through teenager cat years very much like their humans.
In the section above you read about the kitten first necessity kit, i.e., the items you'll need to prepare for your kitten's arrival. Even when well-prepared, first-time cat owners may feel a overwhelmed and anxiety kicks in. That's normal. At first, everything will be new, but with time you will learn how to care for and train your kitten and how to develop a bond with the little one. It is true that we can never completely predict how the personality of a cat will evolve, but I am sure that you will love your kitten anyway. Between your kitten's daily care and its adaptation to the new home, you will have questions. The good thing is that you can always count on Ozarkarela as a resource. There are also many online communities that share information about (and the joy of having) Persian cats. I personally find Facebook Groups dedicated to Persian cats very helpful and supportive.
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