Whisker Oaks Cattery
Raising fine, healthy Persians underfoot, since 1998.
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Kitten Care and Books
Kitten and Cat Care
Feeding - We always have food available for our kittens and cats. We find that they eat what they need, and don't overindulge. We use a premium cat food, Science Diet, which gives them all the nourishment they need for growth and a fine coat.
Water - We keep water available at all times. It is important for all cats to be well hydrated. During the hot summer months we have a water fountain that runs most of the day. It is important to clean these out at least every three days.
Combing - Use a wire comb when combing the Persian, as this type of comb helps to get to the cats under coat. Frequency of combing the Persians coat depends on the thickness and length of the coat. For the long, thick coat, daily combing is essential in the prevention of knots. While, some shorter haired Persians only need combing once or twice a week during the warm summer months, as coats are thinner then. As the Persians coat thickens for the winter, more combing is necessary.
Hair Cut: Sometimes persians have cute hair cuts. One such cut is the "Lion Cut" see below. These cuts can be due knots, to cut them out and let the hair regrow. Or, they can be a summer cut, to give them some relief from the heat. Either way, it gives both the owner and the cat a break from combing, which should be continued when the hair is long enough.
Litter Box - Neither the kitten nor cat care for a dirty litter box. Clean it daily. We use clumping clay litter. We have tried the clear crystal litter, but the kittens love to eat it, so we stay away from it.
Bathing - The coat of a Persian cat picks up lots of dirt and dust from the environment, so bathing is an important aspect of care. Always comb your cat before bathing. This helps to prevent the formation of knots during the bath. Bath your kitten or cat in warm water, not hot to touch, use baby shampoo, or one of the many premium cat shampoo's that can be found on the Internet. Be careful not to get water or soap in their eyes or nose, as this discourages them from wanting to bath. A dangler for cats can be used to help with combing. Drying the hair can be assisted with a hair blower, but make sure hot air doesn't blow on the same area for too long, as their skin can burn.
Dental Care: Brushing a cats teeth is important as tartar does accumulate. You can find cat toothbrushes and toothpaste at pet specialty stores. If tartar builds up to much on your cats teeth, you should have your dentist clean there teeth. This is done under anesthesia.
Treats: Whisker Lickin's have a tarter control for the cats teeth.
Eye Care: As persian have big round eyes, they have a tendency to tear more than other cats. Carefully wiping them each night is important, if drainage is present. If not cleaned, the drainage will collect into clumps, which are harder to get out. Once wiped a slightly damp towel can be used to wipe any additional drainage off the hair. To help brighten up stained hair under the eyes, check out the many cat eye products on the Internet. One such product is call "Angel Eyes."
A dietary supplement can also be given that helps to decrease eye drainage. It can be found on-line. It's call Wireless.
Another product that helps to decrease eye drainage is Gentamicin
eye drops. These are obtained through your vet.
Ears: Cats produce ear wax, just like we do. Clean them during their bath, or carefully with a q-tip. Do not push the q-tip further than what you can see. Eye cleaning solutions can be found at pet specialty stores, or on-line.
Toys: Persian cats love to play. Below are several items we have purchased from Wal-mart. Another common toy is a stick with feathers at the end. These can be purchased at pet specialty stores, such as Petco.
Vaccines - Stay in contact with your vet to know when your kitten/cat is due for vaccines. Most will send you a reminder card when a set is due.
