FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Thankyou for visiting our FAQ page where we have put together some information to help make your kittens homecoming a seamless one. Please check back regularly as we update.

What is your adoption process? What is the next step after I place a deposit?

My Veterinarian wants all of my kittens health records in order to make an appointment.

Your kitten will go home with all of their health records that you will bring with you on his/her first appointment. You should be able to make an appointment with your kittens name, gender, date of birth and color. Your kitten’s health record is always being updated, it will be incomplete if supplied to you early.

How often do I cut my kitten’s nails?

Every two weeks. Please see “supplies” page for example of nail cutters to use.

 

My Vet wants to know if your cats are tested for HCM?

Yes, our Mom’s and Dad’s are tested and negative for HCM and PKD.

 

 My Veterinarian wants to know if your ragdolls are tested for FIV/FeLV, and said I should vaccinate for feline aids and feline leukemia

Our ragdolls are under contract to NOT be vaccinated for FIV/FeLV-our foundational ragdolls and any new comers are tested negative for FIV and FELV. Occasionally we add a new breeder to our program, these  kittens are kept away from our cats for one month to ensure that there are no illnesses passed around. Our cats and kittens are strictly indoors so there is no chance of them contracting these outdoor diseases.

If I buy two kittens will I get a discount ?

The cost for breeding healthy, sound ragdoll kittens costs more money than you can imagine. We try to keep our cost down, and while our prices are competitive, prices from our vendors continue to rise, we do not receive discounts from any of our suppliers, regardless of how many kittens we are paying for. So please understand that we cannot give out discounts on second kittens.

Do you individually test the kittens for FIV and FeLV?
No, we do not test each kitten for FIV and FeLV. We test all of our new ragdolls that come into our cattery before they are allowed to breed. None of our ragdolls go outside for any reason, so kittens will be negative. However, if you want your kitten tested for FIV/FeLV prior to taking him/her home I can get a price for you and I will gladly take your kitten to the vet for testing.

Why do you not allow your ragdolls to be vaccinated against FIV and Felv?

Your ragdoll cannot be vaccinated against FIP, FeLV or FIP. Ragdolls are sensitive to these vaccines; studies have shown that malignant sarcomas can and do develop at the injection site. The risks involved in these vaccines outweigh the benefits in an indoor only ragdoll. Your ragdoll is from FeLV/FIV free breeding stock, and is an indoor only cat, it is impossible for your ragdoll to contract these virus’ indoors, and therefore, vaccinating is pointless. The effectiveness of the FIP vaccine is controversial. Many researchers and veterinarians believe that it can create enough stress on the immune system to cause the disease.

Are your resident ragdolls vaccinated?

Yes, our cats are vaccinated with the complete series of FVRCP, and rabies vaccine.

Can I have houseplants with my cat/kitten?

All cats and kittens will play with and/or eat all houseplants. Please discuss with your vet if your plants are toxic to cats. We recommend keeping all plants away from your cat or kitten. 

Do you name the kittens or do we name our kitten?

We are required to select a name for each kitten in order to make an appointment with the veterinarian, for purposes of medical records. We pick random names and place the name on medical records only. We do not call the kittens by the name on their records, so essentially they are not “named” in the way you name a new pet. Feel free to choose your kitten’s name. 

Should we give our ragdoll snacks?

Snacks are not necessary but you may give them snacks if you want to, please don’t feed any snacks that are not made for cats.


What is your return policy?

We only place our kittens in permanent homes and do not support trial adoptions, however, we understand that sometimes life takes unexpected turns and if you need to surrender your kitten/cat we will take him/her back any time. Absolutely no refund will be offered for surrendering your kitten/cat. Please think very carefully before adopting a kitten. 

 

What health insurance do you recommend?

We encourage you to do a comparison of health insurances and choose the best fit for your family. We do extend an offer for a free month of health insurance from Trupanion, and believe that they are a good insurance company, but we are not affiliated with them, nor do we keep current on their rates. They have an excellent customer service department in my experience and will answer all questions. 

 

When should I make my kitten’s first vet appointment?

Kittens should be seen within the first few weeks of homecoming to confirm health by your veterinarian. We understand this is sometimes impossible, please try your best to get a timely appointment, if you are having problems, please let me know and we can arrange an agreement.

 

What veterinarian do you take your kittens to?

We use and highly recommend

Countryside Veterinarian Clinic 92 Ellery Street 

Wrentham, Ma 02093

508-384-8700

 

What kind of food should I feed?  

What kind of bowls do you use?

What kind of litter should I get?

We have put together a page called, “Supplies you will need” on our website-we will keep this updated, please check periodically for changes.

What type of snack should I buy my kitten?

If you want to buy snacks for your kitten, they will love any freeze dried chicken/poultry snack 

How many litter boxes do I need?

I recommend two litter boxes for one kitten, if you have a multi level house, please place a litter box within easy access on every level of your home. Otherwise, they may have an accident if they cannot find a litter box. When you pick up your kitten, we can talk about the best ideas for your kitten considering your household and your kitten’s likes/dislikes. 

Can my kitten tolerate a car ride?

Yes, your kitten can tolerate a car ride. Please always place your kitten in a secure cat carrier any time you travel. Kittens can tolerate several hours, please bring a small litter box, paper towels and water and dish. 

How much food should I feed my kitten?

Please let your kitten free feed (never restrict food) on the dry food that we are feeding (see supplies you will need) and give 3 ounces of wet food once or twice a day. Fresh, clean water should be available all of the time.

Will my kitten be litter box trained when he/she comes home?

Yes

Can I restrict my kitten’s food?

We believe that kittens should free feed on kibble, we leave a free feeding large capacity bowl out with 24/7 access. We do not feed our cats and kittens dry food at designated times. The reasons are that ragdolls grow at an alarming rate for the first year of life. They go through spurts and during these times they require extra food. If allowed to free feed, they are ensured the extra food when needed. Also, if they are fed small amounts several times a day, they tend to gulp which causes vomiting. When they free feed, they nibble which is more beneficial to them. Wet food can be added once or twice a day.
Reminder: Ragdolls are one of the biggest breeds of cats and are supposed to be “thick”, a belly pouch is also part of the breed standard. 

My veterinarian says that my ragdoll is overweight, is he/she?

Please choose a vet who is familiar with the ragdoll breed. Ragdoll cats are one of the largest cat breeds. They are sturdy and muscular which adds more to their weight. You should be able to feel that your ragdoll has ribs, a belly pouch is also very normal for a ragdoll. The ragdoll is one of the biggest cat breeds. A full grown male will reach 12-20 pounds and a female will reach 8-15 pounds. 

Do I need to give my kitten a probiotic every day forever?

No, you do not have to, but if you want to, you can. We recommend opening one capsule and mixing it into the wet food once a day for:

1. The first two weeks of coming home

2. Any time your kitten is on antibiotics (for as long as you own your ragdoll) give one capsule mixed in wet food every day that you give an antibiotic

3. Any time you notice a loose stool

4. Any anticipated stressful event such as going on vacation, large crowds (if kitten is not used to large crowds) basically, any significant change that your ragdoll is not used to.

Do I need to bring anything with me when I pick my kitten up?

Just bring a smile, we will provide the cat carrier that you will need to transport your kitten home. We also send out kittens home with food, toys and healthy snacks. 

Can you bring my kitten to my house or meet me halfway?

Sorry, we cannot meet halfway or deliver your kitten. We do partner with a very reliable and reputable courier that is available to bring your kitten to you if you cannot get out.  He is usually booked up so ask early for pricing and booking. We can give you his email, or if you prefer we can do the arranging with him on your behalf.

How often should I clip my kitten’s nails?

Every two weeks. Ragdolls are generally good with clipping nails and grooming, but personalities differ with cats. Cats have retractable claws. When trimming a cat’s nails, you’ll need to gently squeeze the top and bottom of each foot to extend the claws for trimming. If he/she flinches or pulls away, don’t fight him/her. Just gently stroke and continue to soothe until he/she is relaxed enough for another try. We suggest pressing down to extend one nail each day in preparation for the eventual trimming. Extend the nail, and then reward him/her with a treat. That way, he/she will be ready when the time to actually cut the nails comes.

Do you ship your kittens?

We do not ship our kittens, we do however, partner with a reputable courier who can hand deliver your kitten, if he has availability, please email for more information if interested. 

Your website says you have kittens available, I sent a deposit why are you advertising kittens?

Our customers are very important to us. If you placed a deposit, you will ALWAYS come before the general public. You are on my list and you are being matched with a kitten. If we are advertising that we have kittens, that means that we have room on our wait list for new customers. Rarely, we may have an available kitten that we will post as available. If we did not offer this kitten to you, it is because this kitten does not meet the criteria of the kitten that you requested when you filled out the application. (ie: show/breeder quality vs. pet quality; male vs. female, etc).

 My Veterinarian said that my kitten should not be spayed or neutered until she/he is at least 6 months old

100% of our pet kittens are spayed or neutered 100% of the time before they leave my home. No exceptions.

I think it is best for my kitten to go home at 8 weeks (or 10 weeks or 16 weeks, etc.)

Kittens will usually be able to go home between 12 weeks and 16 weeks old. We, as the professional breeders, know our cats the best. We analyze them closely not only for health, personality and pet/show status, but we also assess our kittens to determine when they will be best prepared to start their new life outside of our home! This is more complicated than you may know, careful consideration and assessments are constantly underway to ensure that our kittens are mentally and physically prepared for this transition. Some kittens will be ready at 12 weeks old, some may not be ready until they are 16 weeks old. Certain criteria must be met, and we know our kittens the best. We do not allow our customers to predict the best time for their kitten to go home, successfully placing our kittens with the right family at the right time is of paramount importance to us.  

How many people are in front of me on your waiting list?

The number of people in front of you is not a definitive number. For example, one person may want a blue bicolor male and nothing else, so they may wait longer until we have just what they are looking for, other people may want a seal point mitted and they don’t care male or female, it might be quicker for them. We will let you know what season you can expect your kitten typically, we have two kitten seasons a year, with kittens going home July-September, then November and December. This is typical according to our past litters, but can change. When I email you I will let you know what season you can expect a kitten.

I want to join the waiting list for a particular kitten,  how long will I wait for my kitten?

We can only give you an estimated time frame (we could be wrong if mother nature has other plans). The wait time depends on what you are looking for and how much flexibility you have. We cannot guarantee how many kittens will be born, we cannot guarantee the color or gender. The more open you are, the quicker we can match you with your kitten. Kittens are placed in the order that we receive deposits, taking into consideration wants/needs of the parent. 

How many ragdolls do you have?

We do not believe in too many ragdolls. We are lucky enough to have two daughters who also breed ragdolls and we co- own our ragdolls, so overcrowding is not an issue. Typically we have five adult ragdolls living with us.

Do you cage your ragdolls?

We do not believe in ragdolls living in cages, and do not practice caging. 

Do I need to place a deposit in order to be placed on your waiting list?

Once you email me, I will send you a kitten application along with plenty of information about us and our kittens. We then review your application, if we think we can help you find the ragdoll that you are looking for, we will let you know via email. You may then place your deposit. 

I want to adopt a kitten, but I do not want to place a deposit until I see pictures of the kitten?

This is an option, we keep a limited waiting list for those who have placed a deposit, we occasionally have kittens that have not fit the wishlists of our customers that are on that list. When this happens, we will post pictures, etc. on our website and facebook page. You may check those pages and email us if you see a kitten that you are interested in. We only reach out to our customers that have placed a deposit, and are on our waiting list. These customers ALWAYS come first. This means that you will need to take the initiative of seeking our available babies (via facebook or this website) and contacting us if you do not wish to place a deposit.  

Will you be available for any questions/concerns after I bring my kitten home?

Absolutely! We love to keep in contact with our customers and encourage you to email us with any concerns, updates, and hopefully pictures as your kitten grows. We have a facebook page that we ask you to post your pictures on and join our growing community of families who have our kittens.

My kitten is active at night and keeps waking me up, what should I do?

Will my kitten’s color change?

Ragdolls are born all white and their coloring is coming in/changing all of the time up until about 2 years old. The mask on a bicolor will darken and grow bigger, while the center of the face stays white. The mask on mitted and color points also darkens and grows. To better help, I have created a page called, “colors and patterns” where you can find a lot of information regarding this.

What is the difference between show quality and pet quality?

There are physical differences between show and pet quality ragdoll kittens. The size of the kitten, whisker pads, chin, head shape, length of tail, proper coat, perfect markings, personality, eye color, ear size and placement, and more. TICA has breed standards for the ragdoll and show quality kittens meet or come very close to these standards. Personality is not affected by pet/show quality status. 

Are your prices negotiable?

We put in an enormous amount of hard work, and money into our breeding program, we offer the best health guarantees that you will find, we hire a cleaner several days a week exclusively for our cats and kittens to ensure that their surroundings are constantly aseptic, we feed top quality food, provide top quality veterinarian care, the list goes on. We do not cut any corners. Our prices are not negotiable just as the care and service that we provide is not negotiable. Please email us for prices.

How big will my ragdoll get?

Ragdolls are slow maturing; they may take four years to reach full size, weight and coat. Ragdoll cats grow anywhere from 8 to 20 pounds, females are generally 5 pounds smaller than males. They reach their full maturity and size later than most cats, around 4 years of age. We cannot promise/guarantee any specific weight when full grown.

My ragdoll has fur balls, what should I do?

Please brush your ragdoll more frequently if he/she has furballs. You also may feed a hairball formula cat food for a period of time. There are a variety of supplements at your pet supply store that will help. Please consult with your veterinarian for the best choice for your ragdoll.

I am not sure what color/pattern is called that I want

If you are not sure about the colors and patterns of ragdolls, we have created a page called “colors and patterns” to help you learn. If you are still not sure, please send us a picture of the ragdoll/s you like.

Should I brush my kittens teeth?

Yes, it is extremely important to brush your kittens teeth. We start brushing your kittens teeth when they are about 4 weeks old, please keep up with brushing so that your kitten will stay accustomed to it. I recommend brushing your kittens teeth daily. This really only takes a minute or two. You can use a kitten toothbrush and kitten toothpaste, or you can purchase finger covers that comes pre “pasted” and just swipe their mouth quickly. This is the one I prefer, but I do use both so they will get used to both. Do not use human toothpaste on your kitten, it contains chemicals that are toxic to cats. Like us, if your kittens teeth are not cleaned, they will develop tartar and bacteria, causing bad breath, infections and could ultimately cause gingivitis. This is much easier to prevent than treat. 

 

 

How do I brush my kittens teeth?

Following the procedure described above to get your cat used to have her teeth brushed follow these steps for a successful teeth brushing session.

• Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the toothbrush. Place your cat’s head at a 45 degree angle and gently pull back her lips, the mouth can remain closed.
• At first, concentrate on brushing the large cheek teeth and the canine teeth, the teeth where plaque and tartar accumulate most quickly.
• Do not worry about brushing the tips or insides of the teeth unless your cat is very cooperative. Most periodontal damage occurs on the outer surfaces of the teeth and around the roots and this is where you should direct your efforts. The cat’s abrasive tongue tends to remove plaque from the inner surfaces of the teeth, reducing the need for brushing these surfaces.
• Gradually work up to brushing all the teeth (this will probably take several days or weeks). Make sure you reach the big teeth at the back of the mouth.

 

Will my cat/dog get along with a new kitten?

Our ragdolls are very well socialized with people and pets of all kinds. I can tell you that one of our kittens would get along with your pet ,  but success depends on your pets’s personality.

 

Can I walk my cat on a leash outside?

I do not recommend walking your ragdoll outdoors on a leash. The only time your ragdoll should be outdoors is when they are in a cat carrier headed to the car. Do not allow your ragdoll to get a taste of the outdoors, chances are they will try to get outside if they like it.

 

 

How do I introduce my new kitten to an existing cat?

After your new kitten has had a day or two to adjust, allow your resident pets to “meet” her with an under the door sniff. Feed your new kitten near the door, and feed your other pet on the other side of the door. Exchange scents by rubbing a towel on your kitten then bring it to the other pet and vice versa.  Bring a bit of litter from one box to the other box, if there is any loose stool from either cat, do not do this until a stool sample is examined at your veterinarian. Give your cats as much time as they need, some introductions are faster than others. Supervise all interactions until they are completely comfortable with each other.

 

 

How do I introduce my kitten to my dog?

First, please consider if it is a good idea to have a dog and a cat together as part of the family. Does your dog have a prey drive? Have they been around cats? Some dog breeds are more accepting of cats than others. Please do your research and most importantly, talk to your dog’s veterinarian (who knows your dog well) and ask him/her if they think your dog will accept a new kitten. Once you decide that your dog will be okay with a new kitten, then you can start your search. When bringing your new kitten home, supervise ALL visits with your dog for the first 2-3 weeks. Watch your dog’s body language for signs of stress or aggression. Is your dog very focused on the kitten and barking or whining? Your dog should watch the kitten but not fixate on the kitten. Your kitten should appear relaxed. If your kitten is hissing, growling puffing his/her fur, he/she is not comfortable and they are not ready to meet. Once these signs are gone, you can let them meet but keep these visits supervised for a few weeks until you are confident that your dog will not hurt the kitten. I suggest also to look up your dog’s breed and read about how that particular breed gets along with cats.

 

 

Should I keep my kitten in his/her own room when I bring him/her home, or should I let him/her roam?

Yes, please keep your kitten in his/her own room for the first week or so. Make sure the room is clean and kitten friendly. Vacuum and sweep, making sure there is nothing harmful or dusty. Remove any plants. Clear any desks, dressers, counters of anything your kitten can knock down. Cover any electrical cords with electrical cord covers, you can get these on Amazon or Lowes. Make sure the litter box is low and not covered. No mechanical litter boxes or covered until your kitten is over 6 months old please.  Your kitten may have litter box issues if these things are introduced too early. Please spend as much time with your kitten as possible to help them adjust to their new home. If they want to be left alone they will walk away.

 

 

Where should my kitten sleep?

Wherever the kitten wants to sleep, after kitten proofing your home.

 

 

 My kitten is not covering his/her waste in the litter box, what should I do?

What type of litter are you using and what size is the box? Sometimes a bigger box helps and adding more litter helps, but frequently, they learn litter box manners as they mature, like a child who doesn’t know exactly how to dress yet but is learning. Mature cats instinctively cover their waste to hide from predators, so as your kitten matures, he/she will develop better potty manners. Meanwhile, cover the waste for them so that they get used to it being covered. PLEASE do not use clay litter as it will clump on to your kittens paws and be very difficult to remove. Use ONLY world’s best cat litter. 

 

 

I have a female/male cat, what gender should I get to join her/him?

As long as the cats are altered and social, they should get along with any gender combination.

 

Are ragdolls non allergenic?

No, ragdolls are not non allergenic

 

 

Will my kitten be okay to leave for a few hours?

Yes, you can leave your kitten for a few hours. Understand that your kitten does need some adjustment time and may be a bit more needy at first, but once settled, your kitten will be very independent. Leaving alone overnight is not recommended.

 

We might have allergies, can we come visit with your ragdolls to see if we have a reaction?

No, this is not an effective way of diagnosing allergies. Please ask your healthcare provider to test for cat allergies.

 

 

Are deposits refundable?

Deposits are non refundable, but they are transferrable to any other kitten until you find the kitten that you want to adopt. Kitten price is fixed/will not increase for one year after you pay your deposit.

 

 

Can I see the whole litter and pick my kitten?

No, our kittens are carefully placed by us, according to the answers that you provide in your application. We are very successful at matching personalities to households. For example, a kitten who wants lots of attention cannot go to a home where people are working all day, etc. We strive to place our kittens in forever homes. 

 

 

Will my kitten be vaccinated when I bring him/her home?

Yes, your kitten will be up to date (age appropriate) on vaccines/parasite control at all times while in my care.

 

 

Will my kitten be litter box trained when I get him/her?

Yes, your kitten will be litter box trained when he/she goes home.

 

 

 Will my kitten be dewormed?

Yes, all kittens will receive multiple dewormers and flea preventative before leaving our home.

 

 

Will my kitten be microchipped?

Yes, all of our kittens are microchipped during surgery, we care very much for them and want the best protection available for them.

 

 

Will my kitten be spayed or neutered?

Yes, all of our pet kittens are spayed or neutered before leaving our home, no exceptions.

 

Can I bring my kitten home sooner than 12 weeks old?

No

 

 

When can I take my kitten home?

Kittens can go home between 12-16 weeks of age.

 

 

Do I need to bath my kitten?

No, you do not need to bath your kitten. Cats are very clean and will independently keep themselves clean. Sometimes, if your kitten has not mastered the skills, you can trim the fur around their behind (butt cut) to help avoid a messy area. Typically, as they mature, they take care of this adequately. If you like the fresh smell, there are many non toxic dry shampoos on the market to refresh your kitten with.

 

 Do you offer a health guarantee with your kittens?

 Yes, we offer three separate signed health guarantees! We encourage you to compare and choose wisely.

  1. Initial 5-day signed health guarantee upon adoption-full refund/return kitten- if kitten is not in good health at his/her initial Veterinary appointment, you may return to us for refund or another kitten.

  2. One-year signed FIP guarantee-FIP is a very complex disease that has no clear definition. It often comes as a surprise to both owner and breeder. There is no way of knowing how, if or when any given kitten will get this horrible disease. This is not a breeder fault or an owner fault, it just strikes randomly. We understand why most breeders do not cover this, but we like to sleep at night, so we do offer a replacement kitten at no extra charge should your kitten die to this horrible disease by his/her first birthday.

  3. Five-year signed hereditary health guarantee-replacement of kitten or refund

 

 

My kitten is biting me

Kittens and cats need to play. Play is normal behavior that provides allows kittens to develop their physical coordination and problem-solving skills.  It also gives them a chance to hone their social skills. It’s very common for kittens and young cats to engage in rough, active play because feline play can consist of mock aggression. Cats stalk, chase, pounce, swat, kick, scratch and bite each other—all in good fun. However, people often misinterpret this kind of behavior as aggression when it’s directed toward them. Kittens will grow out of this phase, often times the best remedy is adopting another kitten.

Cats display two different types of play behavior: solitary play and social play. They direct solitary play toward objects, like toys, skeins of yarn, paper bags, boxes and rolled-up paper. Oftentimes another kitten in the home will be enough to curb rough play with their human family.

How to Reduce Your Cat’s Rough Play Behavior

• A tired cat is a happy cat! Making sure that you’re meeting your kitten’s needs for activity and enrichment will be the best solution for managing his rough play.
• Offer as many scheduled, routine play sessions with your cat throughout the day as possible. If you get in the habit of really engaging your cat in energetic play and then offering him a meal, his needs as a predatory animal can be met and he may meet you with less frustration when you’re headed to bed, or when you’d like to relax on the couch.
• Provide a variety of toys for your cat so that you can determine his preferences. In general, cats seem to enjoy batting at small toys, like balls and fake mice. They also like to stalk, chase and pounce on things that move like prey, such as toys with feathers attached to flexible rods that you can dangle and move about. Try getting your cat a wand toy; cats love to engage in play with their people, and this is a great way to show them what appropriate play looks like. Giving your kitten a toy he can wrestle with, kick at and bite, such as a stuffed sock, is a great idea.
• Make sure that his environment is set up to keep him active during the hours that you’re away from home. Most cats will nap all day long and then meet their person with a deep need to play and interact once they’re home. Keeping him engaged with enrichment, battery operated toys, and feeding puzzles while you’re gone can help him feel less frustration when you come home and cant play with him right away.
• Frequently give your cat new objects to investigate, such as paper bags or cardboard boxes. Try an internet search for “DIY cat enrichment” and you’ll find tons of free or very inexpensive ideas that you can try with things you may already have in your home.
• During playtime, don’t encourage him to bat at your hands or feet. Instead, direct the play away from you by using a long dangly toy or throwing you cat’s favorite toys. Schedule play sessions to coincide with times when your cat seems most active and playful.
• Pay attention to your cat when he seeks attention. A cat seeking some pets and love will be loose, with a relaxed body and face. A cat who’s seeking playtime will likely be more alert, with whiskers forward, ears and tail twitching. Understanding his body language will help direct how you interact with him, avoiding offering lots of pets if he’s actually approaching looking for play.
• Also pay attention to your cat while giving him attention. If you see his body language change into play mode, it’s time to grab a toy, direct him to the floor and engage in a good play session.
• If your cat likes to grab your feet as you go up and down the stairs or hide under things and ambush your ankles or legs as you walk by, carry toys with you and toss them ahead of you to redirect his attention. Try to get him to focus on chasing the toys instead of attacking you.
• Consider adopting another cat as a playmate. If you do, choose a cat with a similar energy level and play style as your cat.
• Build an outdoor enclosure for your cat, complete with branches, boxes, shelves and perches for him to navigate. If you can provide a more complex environment for your cat, full of opportunities to hunt insects and chase leaves, your cat will be less motivated to play roughly with you.

What NOT to Do

• Do not encourage your cat to play with your hands, feet or any other body part. While it may be fun when you have a tiny kitten, it becomes painful and dangerous as your kitten grows up.
• Do not try to pet your cat when he’s in play mode. Respond to his needs with lots of interaction with toys, only petting him when he’s calm.
• Do not use toys that teach your cat to play with your hands, such as gloves with balls hanging from the fingers. If you do, your cat will be encouraged to direct his play at your hands and won’t understand that it’s only okay to attack your hands when you’re wearing the toy gloves.
• Do not physically punish your cat for rough play. If you hit or slap your cat, he may perceive your actions as play and become even rougher. Alternatively, he might become fearful of your hands and respond by avoiding you or changing from play to real aggression. Do not yell at your cat or squirt him with water as these things can also lead to a negative relationship with your little one.
• Never run from your cat or try to block his movements with your feet. These actions can cause your cat to intensify his play.

 

 

How can I train my kitten to not scratch the furniture

We use a catnip spray (you can get at any pet supply store) we spray it on a cat scratching post. This will encourage your kitten to use this area as an area for scratching. Be patient, once this area is established, your cat will always go here to scratch. You will also find many types of kitten deterrents via google search.