The information and links that I listed will hopefully help with preparation and answer any questions that may have about kitten care, growth and development. Please know that I am always available to answer any questions you may have as well. We want the adoption process to be an event to look forward to and the arrival to be a joyful event!

KITTEN PROOFING

This is probably one of the most overlooked areas when purchasing a new kitten but one of the most important. Just like human babies kittens are babies and they love to explore and investigate not realizing the potential dangers. It is up to you to make sure her environment is safe.
 
Kittens love to use electrical cords and phone cords as teething rings. Wrap them in protectors, tape them down or put them up out of reach.

Make sure blind cords are kept out of reach. Kittens love batting them around but they can get tangled up and choke. Be sure to either anchor the cords or tie them up out of reach.

Keep small items like jewelry, buttons, pins, needles, coins, rubber bands, tacks, paper clips, broken balloons bobby pins and breakable items picked up. Kittens love little tidbits to chew on or tote around. If they are accessible she could swallow sharp objects which could be fatal. Same thing holds true with decorations, especially around holidays. Breakable Christmas tree ornaments and tinsel should be kept off limits.

Make sure to keep the garage off limits! There are too many deadly chemicals and hazards lurking in a garage. Anti-freeze has a sweet taste to a kitten or cat but is deadly. Obviously vehicles are another reason to keep your kitten out of the garage.

Kitchens and bathrooms also pose risks.  Keep toilet lids down and tubs and sinks drained. A kitten can easily drown in these places. Cabinets are a fun place for a kitten to explore, but they usually contain cleaners and detergents that are harmful. Make sure to keep such items out of reach or get child safety latches to keep her out of those areas.

Keep appliance doors like washer, dryers and dishwashers closed. Always check before starting appliances to make sure your kitten didn't climb inside while you weren't looking, especially the dryer! Kittens love to snuggle up in warm places.

Traps and poisons left out can also be fatal to a kitten. Make sure to place such items where they can't be found. Certain plants are also dangerous, to be safe put plants up or in rooms where your kitten doesn't have access.

One of the best ways to keep your kitten safe is to have a "safe-place".  This is a room where you can place your kitten when you first bring her home. This is also the place where your kitten stays while you are not home or at night while you cannot keep an eye on her. Stock this room with food, fresh water, litter box, plenty of toys, scratching post and a comfy bed. This will ago give your kitten a chance to get used to her new environment.


KITTEN LAYETTE

A bed is a great way to give your kitten a safe place to relax. Look for a bed that is warm, lightweight and comfortable but that has a washable cover. Keep away from wicker or rattan as they can be difficult to keep clean and could break apart and become a choke hazard. Keep in mind you may have picked a perfect bed, but your kitten may pick her own, like your pillow!

A cat carrier is essential for safe trips to the vet or travel. It needs to be large enough for your kitten to stand up in and turn around comfortably. Make sure you allow for growth.  Lightweight plastic or fiberglass tend to be the best, however make sure it is well ventilated.
 
Food and water dishes. Stainless steel is the best choice, ceramic would be a nice second. They are easily cleaned, which should be done daily. Plastic is known to cause chin acne in cats. Cats do not like to soil their whiskers so keep that in mind while you are looking.  Make sure and place your kitten's food and water bowls a good distance away from the litter box.

A high quality food is essential for maintaining good health. Don't try saving a few pennies on cheap inexpensive cat food. You will not save anything in the long run. A high quality diet means less shedding, less waste, and less health problems. We use Royal Canin. There are other quality foods on the market, however Royal Canin is the first choice for most show breeders and Royal Canin takes into consideration cats with brachycephalic (flat) facial characteristics that tend to use the lower sides of their tongues to pick up kibbles. Their studies have shown that an almond-shaped kibble is easier for them to eat. Persian cats are 2.5 times more likely to develop calcium oxalate urinary stones than other breeds, therefore their diets should promote an alkaline urinary pH. The average total length of hair on a Persian cat is 230 miles, making skin and coat health a top priority.  Please check out Royal Canin for more information and more helpful information.  We send a Royal Canin Kitten starter kit along with each kitten.   If you do choose to transition your kitten to a different food, do so gradually. Any change in her diet can disrupt digestion causing diarrhea and/or vomitting. We recommend a six day transition plan. Day one and two 30/70, day three and four 50/50, day five and six 70/30 and full transition on the seventh day.

A brush and comb are also necessary for this breed. Your kitten will be used to being groomed when you bring her home. Don't let daily grooming scare you.  A daily once over does not take that much time and it will prevent her from matting and tangling. It also cuts down on shedding and keeps her coat healthy. Make sure to get under her legs where there tends to be a much greater potential for matting.
 
Your kitten will also need a litter box. We use the Litter Maid system with Fresh Step Premium scoopable cat litter. I find this setup to be easier to maintain and it lasts longer. It is important to keep a clean litter box for you cat. Most litter box behavior problems can be traced back to dirty litter boxes. The litter boxes with the snap on lids are also nice as they keep litter from getting kicked out and it allows your kitten some privacy when using the facilities! Scoop out the litter box every day, empty and discenfect it once a week with a mild bleach solution and rinse very, very well! Maintaining a clean litter box is vital to her health.

A scratching post will prevent your furniture and curtains from becoming your kittens exercise equipment. It is natural for your cat to scratch.  It tones a kitten's muscles and maintains her claws. Never hit a cat for scratching. A light spray from a water bottle will deter her from things that are off limits and then take her to her scratching post. Make sure the base is wide and heavy to prevent tipping. Also, cats seem to prefer rough coverings like rope, burlap or low-pile carpet. Entice her to her post by rubbing a little catnip on it. She will quickly learn to use her new work out equipment.

Even though your kitten will be an indoor cat, a breakaway collar and name tag is still a good idea.  It is better to have your kitten identified in the event the unexpected happens and she makes it out an open door.  Some pet stores have name tage engravers right in the store so you can make it and take it!  You may also want to consider having your vet microchip her for more peace of mind.

Toys, toys, toys! Balls, furry mice, feathers, jingly bells. Again there are many to chose from just make sure that you check each for safety and durability. Many great toys are right in your own home. Kittens love ping pong balls, a plastic hair curler, anything that can be batted around and make noise. Blow bubbles and watch her try to catch them. Cut holes in cardboard boxes a great for a game of hide and seek. An empty prescription bottle with dry cat food placed inside, oatmeal boxes, wads of foil. It never fails the ultimate fun toy for every kitten has always been the plastic ring from the milk gallon jug, go figure! They love paper sacks to hid in, just make sure to never give your kitten a plastic bag, they could easily suffocate.


INTRODUCING YOUR KITTEN

Coming into a new environment can be a traumatic experience for a kitten.  Make sure her first day or two are quiet and without visitors.  Keep her in her "safe-room" as discussed above and be with her as much as possible.  This will allow your kitten to become familiar with her new environment  and also allow you to observe her eating, drinking and elimination habits.  And you won't panic if you can't find her!  Feed her lightly the first day as she may be too nervous or too busy exploring.  After she eats, place her in her litter box.  Praise her when she is done taking care of business.

Once she has settled in, carry her about the rest of her new home and put her down in each room and allow her to investigate the area before you move on.  Resist the urge to take your new kitten to bed with you right away.  She is much too small and accidents can happen!  Help her settle in her safe room.  Give her a stuffed animal or her "Snugglie" and a night light.

If there are young children at home they should be taught how to care and handle a kitten.  Try showing them with a stuffed animal first.  Make sure to caution very young children to always sit on the floor when holding a kitten.  Give clear rules and reasons for them.  Never play rough or wild, no running around the kitten as it could easily get stepped on.  Teach them the importance of keeping doors closed by telling them the dangers a kitten could face outside.  Explain that loud music, screaming or yelling hurts the kittens ears.  Make sure they know the "NO" rules.  NO poking, pinching, kicking, pulling tail or ears and no hugging too hard--it hurts!  Explain that kittens need rest and they are not to disturb her when she is eating or sleeping or in her safe-room.  Never leave a child under the age of six alone with a kitten.  Either of them could get hurt.

This does not mean that children can't share in the excitement of the new family member.  Let them help groom her and feed her.  Allow them supervised cuddle and play time with her.  As she grows your kitten will know better how to protect herself and the children will know how to follow the rules.

Although your kitten is used to bathing, hair dryers and grooming, it is not usually on the list of a felines favorite thing to do.  Avoid the trauma of a bath the first week or two unless she is in dire need of it.

If you are bringing home your kitten into a home that has established pets, please make sure to take extra precautions.  Cats and dogs are territorial, never allow established pets access to a new kitten without strict supervision.  Introduce your new kitten slowly.  You can place the kitten in a carrier in a room where your other pets are, like the living room.  So as not to stress your new kitten only do it for short periods of time.  Expect some not so thrilled reactions from the residents, hissing, batting, growling will probably all take place.  Give it time and patience.  Increase the time with the carrier gradually each day.  When there seems to be no aggressive behavior, you may introduce them while you are holding the kitten.  Continue to work with them gradually always supervised until you are certain they are comfortable with each other.  Never allow them to be alone until you are confident they have accepted each other.   Pay extra attention to your old buddies during this phase, they will also need reassurance during this transition. 

A veterinarian is the going to be the other important person in your kitten's life.  Make sure you have a vet that you feel comfortable with.  He will be able to give you good information on maintaining optimum health, as well as provide assistance for illness and emergencies.  Even though we are sure our kitten is 100% healthy when they leave us it is recommended that you take your kitten to your vet for a check-up.  This way they can establish a record and have it on file when you do need a visit.  Also, you want to make sure that your kitten is adjusting well and no problems have occurred during travel or stress from her recent move.