It can very stressful for a kitten to transition to a new home. Everything they once knew is about to change as if they time warped into a different dimension. For this reason, when you pick up your kitten you are provided with just about everything you need and specific instructions as to how to care for your kitten. It’s important that when you bring your kitten home that as little as possible is changed. Changing your kitten’s food, litter or not following vaccination protocols can have fatal consequences. Sphynx are extremely sensitive. Things you may not think are important to follow could be a matter of thrive or survive for your kitten. Keep in mind your kitten has gone through many things in 3 months which is such a short period of time. They were born, had to learn to nurse which is hard for sphynx, eat on their own which is another battle with in itself, use the litter box and go through weaning issue which is a huge change for their digestive systems and can be life or death if they don’t transition well and often requires antibiotics. Reactions to vaccinations can often cause them to become sick or come down with the virus or upper respiratory infection. Then finally reaching 2.5 pounds to get neutered or spayed, being vaccinated once again, and then going to their new home. All these mile markers and transitions are not easy to complete. I do my best to have them ready to go at 12 weeks old but sometimes it just isn’t possible when there are complications, or they don’t grow as quickly.
Food
You will be provided with plenty of food for your kitten. You do not need to purchase any food before bringing your kitten home. Do not change their food or feed them anything other than the food I provide for you. If you are unsure, please contact me for clarification. Kittens are fed canned cat food 2 times a day of which will be provided for you in your kitten care package. I feed a mixture of Royal Canin Baby cat, Science diet AD, Life’s abundance, and special kitty. As far as kibble they are on Royal Canin Queen and Royal Canin baby cat. I keep them in separate dishes and they eat which ever they prefer. They are pretty much the same thing, but baby cat is in smaller pieces. Both are provided for you. Then they are transitioned to Royal Canin Persian kitten. Sphynx, as well as Persians, have sensitive digestive systems. The Persian kitten is formulated differently than regular kitten. Regular kitten often gives them loose stools. You will be provided with a bag of Persian kitten in your kit. Also, in your kit is a coupon for a free bag. When you purchase your first bag of food you will want to purchase the Persian kitten kibble. When you register your kitten kit online, enter the breeder number on the front of your box BRD-003510-2 and you will be able to print another coupon for Royal Canin. It isn’t uncommon that a kitten may not eat for the 1st 24 hours.
Litter
I use wood pellets for litter. A bag will be provided for you to put in the litter box so that your kitten is able to identify the litter box. After a couple days you can switch to which ever litter you prefer. Do not use a hooded box. They will not know it’s a litter box. A plain old plastic rectangular box is all you need. I do not care for clay litter. It smells like cats even when clean, its dusty, it tracks all over and ruins your floors if you have hardwood or laminate. If you want to continue to use pellets the ones I buy are used for wood burning stoves.
Where to keep your kitten
Keep in mind your kitten’s world has been very small. For the 1st few weeks until your kitten is used to your home you should move the litter box into the area it is in. When you are not home your kitten should be kept in one room preferably your bedroom in which it sleeps with you. Your kitten will not enjoy being locked in your bathroom or being alone. It is best if you let your kitten sleep with you. They may walk around crying looking for its sibling, but human companionship will help this transition.
Pet insurance
You will be provided with a form for 30 days of free pet insurance. If you want it, you must call within 24 hours. I do suggest you take it. If you keep it, I believe the best plan is $26 a month. Vet costs and bills are expensive and when owning an animal you will have them.
Vaccines
When you take your kitten in for its 72-hour wellness check do not allow the vet to give anymore vaccines. With the type of vaccines I use, there is not a series of 3 required like most. They only need 1 if given after 12 weeks. If they are given it before 12 weeks, then a 2nd one is required but never a 3rd. Your kitten is already under a great deal of stress and another vaccine would be harmful to your kitten and could kill them. Sphynx cats are not like cats with hair. Vaccines and transitions are a huge tax on their immune system. I am not a fan of vaccines. They do more harm them good and if I didn’t have to give them I wouldn’t. The only vaccine that your cat will need to be given after you take it home is rabies. If you chose to give it, wait until they are closer to 6 months old, it’s the same vaccine they give a 50-pound dog.
Bathing and Ear Cleaning
Contrary to what you read sphynx do not need and should not be bathed once a week. When you bath them you strip the oils from their skin and they quickly start over producing it which is what creates an oily dirty cat. It quickly turns into a vicious cycle. Sphynx clean themselves like regular cats. They do not need bathes for health reasons. Occasional bathes are fine but if you want your sphynx to stay clean and not greasy it’s best to leave their skin alone, so it stays balanced. An ear cleaning kit is provided for you. I use mineral oil, q tips and baby wipes. Ears should be cleaned once a week.
