KITTEN INFORMATION

First and foremost your veterinarian is always a great source of information concerning your kitten's health. We recommend you have a trusted vet that you work with regularly so you can call on them anytime a need may arise. If you don't have a veterinarian please interview some and get references. This is an important decision and one you need to put some thought into.

Bringing Your New Kitten Home

This is like bringing a toddler into your midst. All little things up, put it drawers make sure cupboards shut tightly. Check out your house plants, are they poisonous? You need to know for the safety of your kitten. They taste everything. Look around your home from a kittens perspective what can they get into? This usually gives you a good idea of what needs to be put away for awhile.

Food and Litter Concerns

Think about were you want to put the litter box and make sure it works for the food and water containers to be near this area. We recommend using a non clumping litter at least until the kitten is four months of age. There are many good products on the market to choose from. A litter box and litter scoop that will still work when they reach adulthood is recommended. Kittens are box trained prior to coming to your home.
We like to use ceramic or stainless steel bowls for feeding, they clean up very nicely and last a long time. We will send a small bag of our quality kitten food and recommend you continue using this kind or make a slow transition to a different quality food by mixing it with our food over a week's time. Make's for a happier kitten.

Toys and Things

Well, toys can be endless and great fun for you and your kitten. A scratching post can be a toy too. Best of all it helps the kitten from scratching on your favorite chair or the curtains. Stands with suspended toys are good entertainment; make sure they are sturdy and safe for your kitten. Have fun with your kitten and keep rotating out their toys so they don't become bored with the same ones.

Grooming and Nail Care

A simple grooming brush for cats works well. Even thought the kitten will not need much grooming now, this is the time to establish a routine that will work well when they are older. Most cats love to be groomed and will come to expect it. Grooming also provides bonding time for you and your new one. Once a week is usually adequate. Now the nails, there are wonderful nail clippers for cats that are shaped for the nail these are relatively cheap and easy to use. Trimming the nails every two weeks is a good routine to get into. We recommend only trimming the tip or pointed part of the nail, take care not to trim too short which could cause bleeding and soreness. If you trim in a well lit room you can see the pink or quick of the nail and you won't trim too close.

Hairballs

Are usually not a problem with the Owyhee Bobs. But if they have to groom themselves and eat too much of the hair it can become a concern. There are hairball treats on the market that they really seem to like.

Discouraging Bad Behavior

Table jumping is something you may experience, we recommend saying "no or off "clapping your hands and then praising them when they are on the floor. Sleeping in a cat bed can help them know where they are supposed to be concerning the furniture. Every time they go to sleep on something you don't want them to sleep on simply pick them up and gently put them where you want them to sleep. They will soon figure out that the place you selected has far less interruptions.

Vaccinations and Worming

Your kitten will have a health record that shows which shots and when they were given also the worming program record. We encourage you to keep this record and keep track of the needed vaccinations when you consult your veterinarian. There are many vaccination programs available. This is where your trusted vet and you can pick a program that is going to work best for you and your kittens needs.