Persian Cat Care - Getting Started

You are now the happy owner of an adorable Persian cat who needs love, attention, and care. As a Persian owner, you now have some special responsibilities as well. The following are some necessities for you and your new kitten and some ideas to help you prepare for the arrival of your new family member.

A Basic Checklist

Before you arrive at your home with your Persian or Himalayan, be sure your home is prepared. Here's a checklist to get you thinking about things you need for your cat. This doesn't include everything, but it's a good start:

• a litterbox for your new feline
• litter for the litterbox
• easily accessible containers for food and water
• cat food (Remember that cats have special dietary needs and that any old animal food will not do!)
• proper grooming tools
• toys ready for your cat. You may want to hold off on this until you get to know what your cat enjoys.
• a veterinarian's number, just in case

Choosing a Cat Litter

We suggest a clumpable cat liter that has no perfumes. Perfumes can cause allergies and make the litter box less attractive. If your litter box has an odor problem, try spraying the litter with a bacteria killing air spray, then add some fresh litter to the top. Odor can be caused by bacteria.

The Veterinarian Search

Interviewing the vets office before you have a problem is always good idea. Just call and ask a few questions. Remember the people answering the phone are going to be the people you talk to first when you have a problem. When you call the vets office, ask them if they see Persian cats on a regular bases. Are they familiar with the health issues that are common in Persian and Himalayan cats? Are they available on weekends? Ask yourself is the person you are talking to responsive to your questions? Does she or he make you feel ignorant for asking them? I have found that often the staff is a reflection of the vet. Your veterinarian's job is to educate you so you can take the best care of your kitten.

Becoming Acquainted

Your new cat may feel a little shy at first in its new surroundings. Make sure your kitten can find its food and litter box. Be patient, and remember how nerve-wracking it can be when you're in a new place. Your kitty may not eat at first, but should eventually calm down and become at comfortable in her new home.
When getting your kitten acquainted with her new home, start in a small room. As they get to know and trust you, let them have more freedom within the house. This will be a lot less frightening for your kitten than tossing them in an entire house.