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The Hidden Cost of Cheap Kittens
Today a “potential client” responded to my price (which, by the way, is currently reduced because I am helping place several litters) with: “This is too expensive. I can import cheaper.” And then added: “I bet you import and resell them yourself.” Neither I nor my animals have ever received such an insult. No one has ever accused me of being a reseller. So I decided to write this post. Let me explain what “cheap import” really looks like. Right now, this is a system. A busine
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Svetlana Jacobson
Feb 222 min read


How I Almost Bought a Sick Kitten — and What It Taught Me
I want to share an experience that turned out to be very instructive for me. I found a kitten I really liked from beautiful parents in another country and reserved him. Everything seemed perfect. When the kitten reached the age to travel, a courier picked him up from the breeder and brought him to their home. The next day, the kitten was supposed to fly to the US. But when we checked him, the courier and I noticed worrying signs: heavy breathing and frequent sneezing. The sym
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Svetlana Jacobson
Feb 222 min read


What Breeders and Cat Owners Need to Know About Vaccination
1. Maternal Antibodies Neutralize the Vaccine When a kitten is born, its immune system is still immature and functionally untrained. During the first 24–48 hours of life, the mother transfers ready-made antibodies through colostrum. These antibodies provide passive protection during the first weeks and months of life — typically up to 8–12 weeks — while the kitten’s own immune system gradually begins to develop. Maternal antibodies are pre-formed protective proteins capable o
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Svetlana Jacobson
Feb 204 min read


If you want to save money when choosing a kitten, make health your priority
By choosing health first, you invest in many years of joy and peace of mind with your pet. The most serious risk when buying a kitten is viral infection , such as feline herpesvirus or calicivirus . Most other conditions can be treated. These viruses cannot be cured . Once a cat is infected, the virus remains for life. A kitten with these conditions can live a long life and will, of course, be loved. But it will require ongoing medical care — and in reality, the only ones who
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Svetlana Jacobson
Feb 92 min read


A Cat Supply Store
I often get asked what products I actually use and recommend for my kittens.Here ’s a lovely little shop I genuinely like. They have a flushable cat litter that I’ve personally tried — it’s unscented , very clean, and super convenient. They also have scented options if you prefer.I’ve been using this litter myself and really like it. They also carry some very handy accessories (great scoops, essentials, and more). I haven’t tried the treats yet, but they’re next on my list.
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Svetlana Jacobson
Feb 91 min read


Prices and Value
I receive many inquiries every week, and a significant portion of them start with a very short question: “What is your price? And what is included in that price?” These questions show that many people—understandably—assume that kittens are largely the same everywhere, and that the only difference between breeders is the price.This post is meant to calmly and clearly explain how I work, what my prices represent, and why I do not compete on price . I speak only for myself and m
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Svetlana Jacobson
Feb 14 min read


An Alternative Perspective on Vaccination
We all hear a lot from veterinarians and from the system about which vaccines are considered necessary, when they should be given, and how protocols are supposed to look. That information is widely available. What is discussed far less openly is the alternative professional perspective. Dr. Don Hamilton is an American veterinarian and researcher who spent many years studying vaccination-related issues, publishing scientific work, and speaking publicly about potential risks, o
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Svetlana Jacobson
Jan 181 min read


Hip Dysplasia in Cats: Fear, Pseudoscience, and a Business Built on Pain
People who know me personally, who have purchased cats from me and returned again and again, know very well my attitude toward animal health, breeding, and breeder responsibility. That is exactly why I once began creating a Breeder School — not as an abstract educational project, but as a tool designed to protect animals, their owners, and responsible breeders. However, there is a reason why I did not launch this project at full scale for a long time.To be honest, everything
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Svetlana Jacobson
Jan 126 min read


Genetics and Health: Part 3 — Entropion & Hip Dysplasia
Today we’re going to talk about two conditions that often cause confusion among cat owners and even veterinarians: entropion (eyelid rolling inward) and hip dysplasia. And the very first thing every cat owner must know:There are NO genetic tests for these conditions.Because neither entropion nor hip dysplasia are genetic diseases.They do not come from DNA mutations.They cannot be detected by a lab.They are not part of any official genetic screening panel. Yet many vets — and
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Svetlana Jacobson
Nov 30, 20255 min read


Genetics and Health: Part 2 — Understanding DNA Tests
One of the most important subjects in working with purebred cats — and in protecting the breeder — is a clear understanding of genetic testing and inherited conditions.In this section, we’ll explain how DNA panels work, what their limitations are, and what a responsible breeder should always pay attention to. How Genetic Panels Work A genetic test is typically performed using a cheek swab (saliva or epithelial cells).The sample is sent to the laboratory, where it is analyzed
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Svetlana Jacobson
Nov 30, 20253 min read


Genetics and Health: Part 1 — What “Purebred” Really Means
For everyone who buys a purebred kitten, the first and most important question is always about health — and especially: 👉 Do the parents have any genetic diseases? At first glance, genetics might seem simple: you take a DNA test, look at the results, and everything becomes clear. But when it comes to heredity, things get much more complicated. Around this topic swirl many myths, confusions, and marketing tricks that often lead to unnecessary stress for both breeders and owne
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Svetlana Jacobson
Oct 28, 20253 min read


🫶 Murr-Murr and HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy)
All of my breeding cats are genetically tested clear for HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy).This means your kitten does not carry the HCM mutation and cannot have a genetic heart condition related to it. However, it’s quite common for veterinarians during a routine check-up to say: “I hear a heart murmur… let’s do an ultrasound, just in case.” This happens often — many owners immediately panic, spend hundreds of dollars on testing, and later discover that their cat’s heart is
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Svetlana Jacobson
Oct 20, 20252 min read


Genetic Testing and the Health of Maine Coon Bones and Eyes
There are currently about 50 recognized genetic markers in cats that can be tested through certified laboratories such as Wisdom Panel and Optimal Selection.All of my breeding cats have clear results on all available panels, and I can provide the test reports for both parents upon request. However, it’s important to understand that👉 there are no DNA tests for hip dysplasia, other joint disorders, or entropion (inward-turning eyelids). A genetic test is performed using a chee
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Svetlana Jacobson
Oct 20, 20253 min read


Why I Do Not Do PCR Testing on Healthy Kittens
People sometimes ask why I don’t do PCR testing before kittens leave my cattery. Let me explain clearly. PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)...
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Svetlana Jacobson
Sep 12, 20252 min read


About feeding cats and kittens
I have always known about the benefits of raw feeding. After all, cats are predators. Their fangs are designed to tear meat, and in...
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Svetlana Jacobson
Sep 5, 20253 min read


The Hidden Dangers of Modern Veterinary Care — Lessons From Freya
Analysis of the Freya Situation First, I want to apologize to the many veterinarians who truly love animals, constantly improve their...
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Svetlana Jacobson
Sep 2, 20254 min read


🐾 When your cat pees where they shouldn’t
A client recently asked me what to do when her cat started peeing on the dog’s bed. I’m sharing it here in case it helps someone else. 👉...
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Svetlana Jacobson
Aug 25, 20252 min read


🐾 Why 8–10 Weeks Is the Ideal Age for a Kitten to Go Home. A thorough explanation from a breeder who studies physiology, not myths.
There’s ongoing debate about when it’s best for a kitten to leave the breeder and join its new family. Unfortunately, many opinions are...
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Svetlana Jacobson
Jul 25, 20253 min read


🐾 Kitten Owner’s Quick Reference Guide
🔹 Developmental Stages by Age Immune System Until 6 weeks of age, a kitten is protected by maternal antibodies received through...
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Svetlana Jacobson
Jul 25, 20252 min read


Breeder’s School
Today I’ve been working on the topic “Infectious diseases during pregnancy in cats” — part of the Breeder’s School I’m building. The...
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Svetlana Jacobson
Jul 16, 20251 min read
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