Checklist For Purchasing a Cat Or Kitten
From EnchantedTails

By Charles Burton Barber (1845 - 1894)

 

Schedule an appointment to meet the cat or kittens.

Reserve your kitten with a deposit to hold the kitten until it is ready to go home with you at about 11 to 12 weeks of age.

In the meantime.......

Purchase food:

  • Nutro Natural Choice Kitten dry food

  • Life's Abundance dry food (optional) Purchased online at http://www.healthypetnet.com  You may sign up for autoship.

  • Iams Hairball Formula dry food (optional)

  • ProPlan kitten and/or adult canned food, particularly the chicken and liver flavor. They like the turkey flavor, as well, but sometimes it loosens their stools a bit.

  • Raw strips of turkey and/or beef (optional)

Purchase cat litter:

  • ScoopAway Plus Crystals clumping clay litter (the crystals are just little tiny blue specks that make the litter smell better.) Regular ScoopAway cat litter is just fine too.

Purchase toys/supplies:

  • Little toy mice

  • Feather teaser

  • Cat tree/scratching post

  • Nail trimmers

  • Cat bed (or kitty can just sleep on the couch, your bed, etc.)

  • Water bowl (Stainless steel preferably, not plastic)

  • Food bowl (Stainless steel preferably, not plastic)

  • Cat carrier to transport kitty home and for any visits to the vet.

Place any trinkets or breakable items out of reach, until you know the activity level of your kitten.

Remove any poisonous house plants that may be accessible to the kitten.

We will communicate at when the kitten is about 9 weeks old to determine when the kitten is ready to go to its new home. We want kitty's transition to his/her new home to go as smoothly as possible. Sending the kitten home before it is developmentally ready will result in baby kitty crying, which will be no fun for kitty, nor for you.  We need to determine that kitty is fully weaned and feeling independent enough to start his/her new adventure with you.

Bring your carrier when you come to pick kitty up. If you prefer to pay the balance for the kitten/cat by check, then that should be sent prior to picking up the kitten to allow time to clear the bank (about 2 weeks in advance.) Otherwise, you can bring cash, money order, or cashiers check.

Kittens are dewormed and vaccinated for Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis, and Calicivirus typically around nine weeks of age. They will be due for their second vaccination four weeks later, typically at 13 weeks. Kittens need only two vaccinations, if the first one is given after 8 weeks old.

Do not overvaccinate! The recommendation is for Rabies and Feline Leukemia vaccines only if the cat goes outdoors, which your kitty should not. Life expectancy for outdoor cats is 3 years. Plus, our Sales Contract states that the cat/kitten must be kept indoors only. Do not let your vet give the FIP vaccination. See our Sales Contract for reference.

First year boosters are recommended, followed by every three years after that.

This is just a brief checklist to help you get ready to bring home your new kitten/cat. Please carefully read our Cat Care (http://enchanted-tails.com/CatCare.htm) instructions as well.

If any questions arise, please feel free to contact me.

 

Holly Erickson
 La Habra Heights, California
Near Los Angeles and Orange County
(562) 691-4702

EnchantedTails@aol.com


 


 

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