To make the transition and adjustment easier and less stressful for your new Exotic kitten, it is best to have everything prepared in advance. The following is a list of items to have before bringing your new kitty home.

• Food and water bowls - Highly recommend stainless steel food and water bowls.

• Food - Purchase the same kind of food the kitten is currently eating to avoid stomach upset and possible diarrhea. If you wish to change the brand of food, you may do so slowly over a period of weeks by adding more of the new food to less of the old food. Begin by mixing approximately one part new food to about five parts current food. Slowly increase the ratio of new food over the next several weeks until you eventually are feeding only the new food. 

• Cat litter box and litter - covered or uncovered are both fine, but we prefer to use uncovered litter boxes and have found that this is a much easier way to litter box train! If asked, we will share which brand/type of litter we recommend in order to ease the transition. If you wish to change the type and/or brand of cat litter, do so slowly over a few weeks time by adding less of the old and more of the new each time you change the litter box. When transitioning to a new home it's best to keep your new kitten in a small room with 1-2 litter boxes until they show you that they know how to find the litter box you have placed for them. Too much space all at once may overwhelm them leading to accidents. Starting slow, and keeping them in a bedroom or bathroom for the first few days will ensure a successful transition before they get the run of your house.

• Cat carrier- Bring a cat carrier with you when you pick up your kitten.

• Toys - You will be sent home with a few goodies that includes a variety of cat toys to get you started.

• Scratching post and cat tree - Try not to get deep, plushy type carpeting as the cat's claws will get stuck in this type of carpeting. Our cats love the posts and trees that have a natural fiber rope twisted around the posts and smoother fabric/carpeting.

• Quarantine- Please keep your new kitten quarantined far from other household pets for a minimum of two weeks, ideally 30 days. Begin with slow introductions after the quarantine is over. Make sure to "baby" proof your house until you feel comfortable enough for your kitten to explore his/her new home.

Probiotics are highly beneficial for cats! I add a scoop to their food everyday.

What are Probiotics & How Do They Work?

Your first question is probably “are probiotics good for cats?” The answer is yes. Probiotics are live, beneficial bacteria that promote balance in the intestines.  

The intestines contain billions of bacteria that make up the microbiome. An imbalance in the microbiome can cause digestive upset.  

“Among other effects, probiotics decrease the pH in the gut and help the good bacteria thrive which supports overall digestive health,” says Dr. Emily Cross, DVM, DABVP. 

To read more about the benefits of probiotics for cats you can start with clicking this link.

Declawing is an intrusive and extremely painful event requiring the equivalent of cutting off a human finger to the first knuckle; the pain is experienced both immediately following the surgery, and throughout the cat’s life as the result of “phantom pain”.

To read a journal article on declawing I highly recommend this link

Before you resort to declawing your cat, try training it first. Yes indeed, cats can be trained. And it’s not as hard as it sounds. Here are some tips:

1. Get at least one scratching post (or make your own). If it’s a vertical scratching post, make sure it’s tall enough that your cat can stretch to use it. And make sure it’s stable.

2. Wipe the bottoms of your kitten's front paws on the post. This will leave their scent on the post and encourage them to come back to use it. 

3. Position the post near your cat’s favorite sleeping spot, and/or near the furniture it likes to scratch the most.

4. Cover the post in catnip or toys so that it’s more attractive than the sofa.

5. Reward the cat with a cheek scratch or a treat every time it uses the post.

6. If it scratches the sofa, just say “no” firmly and relocate it to the appropriate scratching post. Reward it for using that instead.

How to trim a cats nails.... Trim just the hooked, thinner tips of the nails with a human finger nail trimmer as needed. Watch for the vein inside. You can see it from the side of the nail. You don't want to cut too closely and make the nail bleed. 

If you need further instructions for trimming your kittens nails I will demonstrate for you when you pick up your kitten or by sending a video demonstration.

List of things that are Poisonous To Cats

Always remember that cats are highly sensitive to many things. Always use caution when using chemicals, medications, or placing houseplants in the environment. Many of the things that are poisonous/toxic or can cause serious problems to your cat are listed below.

In and Outside Your Home

• Human medications and vitamins including all prescription and over-the-counter medications, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin, and cold and flu medications. 

• Household products used for cleaning and disinfecting such as lysol, pine sol, pine oil, undiluted bleach, rubbing alcohol, corrosives, lime scale remover, drain cleaners, solvents, fabric softeners, oven cleaner, air fresheners and liquid potpourri.

• Nicotine in tobacco, as well as phosphorus in matches, match boxes and books, fireworks and flares.

• Lead that can be found in paint, linoleum, pipes, fittings, etc.

• Insect repellent and killers not for use directly on cats, as well as mothballs.

• Antifreeze.

• Poisons and chemicals used to eliminate or repel insects and animals.

• Dewormers not intended for cats or not administered correctly.

• Petroleum based products such as oils and gas.

• Fertilizers, cocoa beans mulch, moldy compost.

• De-icing salts

Foods That Can Be Harmful

• Chocolate and coffee in all forms

• Onions and garlic in any form

• Grapes and raisins

• Avocados

• Raw yeast dough

• Tea leaves

• Macadamia nuts

• Salt

• Too much fat can cause liver problems

• Xylitol sweetener

• Alcoholic beverages

• Moldy or rotten foods

Prey

• All reptiles and amphibians that excrete toxins to repel predators, the most deadly of which include the Florida Marine Toad, the California Newt, and the Colorado River Toad found in both the Southwest and Hawaii.

• Some types of snakes, spiders and scorpions can be deadly. Any swelling or evidence of a bite should receive veterinary attention immediately. If possible, bring the offending biter with you so quick identification can be made.

• Any rodent that has ingested poison can be lethal if eaten by your cat.

Plants

• There are hundreds of plants that are considered toxic to cats. Always be sure to consider your cat's health when choosing the plants for your home and garden. A few of the most common, in alphabetical order, are:

• Adam-And-Eve

• African Wonder Tree

• Alocasia

• Aloe

• Amaryllis

• Andromeda Japonica

• Asian Lily

• Asparagus Fern

• Australian Nut

• Autumn Crocus

• Azalea

• Belladonna

• Bird of Paradise

• Bittersweet

• Black Locust

• Branching Ivy

• Buckeye

• Buddhist Pine

• Caladium

• Calla Lily

• Castor Bean

• Ceriman

• Cherry

• Clematis

• Cordatum

• Corn Plant

• Cycads

• Cyclamen

• Daffodil

• Daylily

• Devil's Ivy

• Dieffenbachia

• Dumbcane

• Easter Lily

• Elephant Ears

• Emerald Fern

• English Ivy

• Eucalyptus

• Ferns

• Fiddle-Leaf Philodendron

• Gold Dust Dracaena

• Florida Beauty

• Foxglove

• Glacier Ivy

• Gladiolas

• Golden Pothos

• Hawaiian Ti

• Heartleaf Philodendron

• Heavenly Bamboo

• Hibiscus

• Honeysuckle

• Hurricane Plant

• Hyacinth

• Hydrangea

• Iris

• Jerusalem Cherry

• Jimson Weed

• Kalanchoe

• Lantana

• Lilies

• Lily of the Valley

• Lupine

• Marble Queen

• Morning Glory

• Mother-in-Law

• Mountain Laurel

• Narcissus

• Needlepoint Ivy

• Nephthysis

• Nightshade

• Oleander

• Panda

• Peace Lily

• Pilodendron

• Poison Hemlock

• Precatory Bean

• Privet

• Red Emerald

• Phododendron

• Ribbon Plant

• Rosary Pea

• Sago Palm

• Satin Pothos

• Schefflera

• Striped Dracaena

• Sweetheart Ivy

• Tulip

• Water Hemlock

• Wisteria

• Yew

• Yucca