**Question:** What do I feed my cats and kittens?

 

**Answer:** I don’t have a fixed list of brands. We’re always switching it up, trying new things. Why?

First off, we’re always on the hunt for good quality.
Secondly, our cats are super spoiled and picky.

Now, about quality. For me, good quality means my cats enjoy eating it, and it doesn’t make them sick. It’s not about the price, recommendations, or ads.

But, there’s a catch. Sometimes you buy a food, and it’s great! You buy the same food again, and suddenly, the whole cattery has diarrhea. This means the previous batch was good, but the new one? Straight to the trash. This can happen with any brand. Royal Canin’s kitten food is especially guilty of this. I only buy their dry food for adult Maine Coons.

Lately, I’ve been using Wellness Complete Health Kitten Chicken Entree Recipe Natural Canned Cat Food, 5.5-oz for a year now. The kittens and mama cat love it. But even they had one bad batch. They’re too good to give up, so I gave them another chance. So far, so good.

For dry kitten food, I use Farmina N&D Prime. I’m very happy with this brand; both kittens and adults love it. No bad batches in a year.

For variety, I also give both kittens and adults Purina Pro Plan dry food. It’s a budget-friendly option with good quality. But my cats get bored of it quickly and start demanding something new. We’re always buying new stuff. Check out Chewy, try things out. I can’t give a definitive recommendation. All the cats in my cattery have different tastes.

Besides dry and wet food, I also feed them natural food: boiled chicken, turkey, and beef. I don’t give them raw meat or fish. Instead, I use freeze-dried raw food, which needs to be soaked in water before feeding. We’ve been using Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Mini Patties Entree Cat Food for a long time. My cats love it, and I think it’s healthier than dry or canned food. Currently, we’ve bought a variety of freeze-dried raw meats and fish from Chewy. We’re seeing who likes what the most.

In short, my cats have a big menu. But they also like to steal from the dog.

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**Question: I don't want to put a deposit on the waiting list, but you get back to me once you have the kittens.**
 

**Answer:** Until recently, I had two waiting lists: one requiring a $100 deposit and one without a deposit. I have decided to discontinue the no-deposit waiting list because it is a waste of time. When the kittens are born, I have enough clients on the $100 deposit waiting list to reserve all of them. 

The $100 deposit is a small amount, but it gives clients confidence that they will get the kitten of their dreams and stops them from looking elsewhere. It makes them more involved in the waiting process, following my social media pages and growing more attached to my kittens. When the kittens are born and a client reserves one, an invisible bond is formed between them. I can see it in the kittens—they already know they have a home and are waiting for the day they meet their new parents.

On the other hand, when a client tells me they are not ready to make a deposit but asks me to "get back to me once you have the kittens," it means they are still searching. They will either return to me ready to make a deposit or buy a kitten elsewhere. Therefore, maintaining a waiting list for clients without a deposit and then contacting these clients later is a waste of time and energy.

 

**Question: How to Choose a Kitten**
 

**Answer:** Some customers remind me of a lady at the market who was picking out a chicken. She went to each one and sniffed under the wing. The seller watched this for a while and then asked her, "Ma'am, could you pass that test yourself?"
Right now, one lady is searching for perfect symmetry in a kitten's coat pattern, making sure the stripes on the left and right sides match up perfectly. I can't help but feel tempted to take a close look at her to see if everything's perfectly symmetrical there too!
I take great care in choosing my breeding cats—few breeders are as selective as I am. But even I would never go to such absurd lengths. It's like trying to find flaws in God’s work.
You should choose a kitten with your heart. You need to fall in love with them if you want that love to be returned. Here’s a secret: it's not you who chooses the kitten; it's the kitten who chooses you. That's why I offer everyone a video chat, where I show all the available kittens. When a kitten picks their new owner, the owner falls head over heels. This process brings me so much joy. It usually happens like this—let me share some real stories:
***"My wife said that when she sees the little white tip on this kitten's tail, she gets butterflies in her stomach. We want him!"***
***"We couldn't sleep all night thinking about the little tortie girl we saw yesterday. We have to have her."***
I even lower the price if I see that a kitten has chosen their new human, but that human is a little short on cash. Of course, I can easily tell the difference between this and someone just trying to undervalue my work and the kitten.

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**Question: How do I choose the right gender for a kitten?**

**Answer:** The gender of your kitten should be chosen to maintain balance and harmony within your household, considering both human and animal family members. For instance, if your household predominantly consists of female energy, introducing a male kitten can help restore balance. Conversely, if there's an abundance of male energy, a female kitten can harmonize the dynamics. This observation stems from years of experience, where disruptions in energy balance often correlate with behavioral issues in pets. Choose the gender that complements your lifestyle to ensure a harmonious environment for all.

**Question: I prefer a male kitten because they grow larger than females.**

**Answer:** Contrary to popular belief, spayed females can grow as large as males. Additionally, the notion that female kittens will mirror their mother's size is a misconception. A cat's growth may temporarily halt during pregnancy and lactation but typically resumes afterward. Rest assured, whether you choose a male or female kitten from our cattery, you'll witness them blossom into majestic, lion-like adults.

**Question: Can I visit the kitten in person before making a decision?**

**Answer:** Unfortunately, in-person visits to our cattery aren't feasible for several reasons. Firstly, prioritizing the health and safety of our animals, prospective owners, and ourselves is paramount. Secondly, the presence of unfamiliar visitors can distress nursing mothers and their kittens. Lastly, inviting strangers into our home poses security concerns. However, we're delighted to arrange video chats, allowing you to interact with us and our kittens virtually. This approach ensures transparency and safeguards the well-being of all parties involved. Subsequently, upon kitten pickup, you'll have the opportunity to meet them in person.

**Question: Any recommendations for feeding, litter training, and other aspects of kitten care?**

**Answer:** When it comes to feeding, we recommend Farmina N&D Prime and Purina Kitten Show for dry food, along with Wellness Complete Health Kitten Chicken Entrée Recipe for canned food. Introduce new foods gradually to avoid digestive upsets. Additionally, consider incorporating freeze-dried raw chicken or salmon into their diet for optimal nutrition.

For litter training, ensure the litter box is easily accessible, especially for young kittens. Monitor their behavior closely during the adaptation period, gently guiding them to the litter box if needed. As for litter choice, we prefer "World’s Best Cat Litter" for its clumping properties and ease of cleaning.

Invest in a sturdy cat tree suitable for Maine Coons' size and agility. Opt for ceramic or glass feeding bowls to promote hygiene, and maintain a regular schedule for feeding and water changes.

**Question: Why I Don’t Take My Cats to Shows**

**Answer:** There are a few reasons.

First, I’m not a fan of competitions or exhibitions. What happens at these events? Everyone wants to win, to be the best, to grab that shiny medal, right? But the flip side of that coin is wishing misfortune on others. Not exactly the kind of crowd or atmosphere I want to be around.

So, taking a cat to a show means bringing it to a very noisy place with a large crowd and, frankly, terrible vibes. Best case scenario, your cat comes home just stressed out. But often, pets come back from these events with a side of viruses.

Second, when I bought one of my first cats in Europe, the breeder asked if I wanted to make her a champion on paper. She wouldn’t actually go to a show; we’d just pay the judges to get the documents. That’s when I realized I’d learned everything I needed to know about cat shows.
 

**Question: When will the kittens be ready to go to their new homes?**

**Answer:** According to our state's regulations, kittens can go to their new homes at eight weeks old. By this time, they are eating on their own, are litter trained, and have strong enough legs to jump out of their playpen and explore the entire house with curiosity. They start showing interest in people, seek attention, and fall in love with their owners.

I don't see a reason to keep them any longer. Kittens quickly adapt to a new home and new people, and moving to a new home at an older age can be stressful for them. 

We also need to consider the mother cat. She needs rest and recovery.

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**Question: Problems with Fur: Fur balls**

**Answer:** Fur balls indicate either skin issues (excessive skin oil production or extreme dryness), the presence of parasites, or a diet lacking in vitamins. Skin issues like itching and eczema without parasites or fungi can signal a deficiency in minerals and vitamins.
When dealing with fur problems, I first suspect parasites. So, the first step is to deworm the animal.
Next, you should add vitamins and minerals to the pet’s diet. If furballs have already formed, it's best to cut them off. If you can’t do it yourself, you should use grooming services. Large fur balls can make the skin very sensitive in that area, and the animal might react aggressively to attempts to cut or shave them off. In this case, consult a veterinarian. With the help of sedatives, the vet will immobilize the animal and remove the troublesome fur balls.
We don’t wait for problems and regularly perform deworming and vitaminization for the whole family: pets and humans alike. Deworming is done once a month. I also add vitamins and minerals to their food and water. You can find all of this on Amazon. I use liquid vitamins and minerals that should be added to water or directly into the mouth according to the instructions.
Wishing health to you and your pets.

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