Bringing Home a New Persian Kitten

Bringing Home a New Persian Kitten

Getting a new cat or kitten is exciting. Here are some ideas to help you get prepared for your new Persian.

Get Prepared

To make the transition and adjustment easier and less stressful for your new Persian cat or kitten, prepare in advance. The following is a list of items to have before bringing your new kitty home.

See our Supply List for recommendations on grooming items, bowls, toys, litter, etc. for Persians.

  • Food and water bowls
  • Food - Purchase the same food the cat is currently eating to avoid stomach problems. If you wish to change the brand of food, you may do so slowly over a period of weeks by adding more of the new food to less of the old food (i.e., start with approximately 3/4 of the old food to 1/4 of the new food, then 1/2 old food to 1/2 new food, etc.). Avoid grocery stores, discount warehouses, etc. foods. Only buy cat food from a pet store or through direct order. 
  • We ONLY feed and recommend Life's Abundance food, available by direct order and delivered to the pet buyer's home. For more information, click here: Life's Abundance pet food to visit their site.
  • Cat litter box (covered or uncovered pan) - Covered ones are nice because they prevent clay and sand litter from being thrown all over the floor if the cat is overly enthusiastic when covering its messes.
  • Cat litter - Ask the person who got your Persian what they used, as kittens sometimes have a hard time transitioning to a new litter. If you wish to change the type and/or brand of cat litter, do so slowly over a few weeks by adding less of the old and more of the new each time you change the litter box.
  • Toys - Ask the person where you got your Persian cat from what types of toys your particular kitty likes to play with. That doesn't mean you can't add new toys to your home, but sometimes it is nice to have one or two toys that seem to be your cat's favorite kind.
  • Scratching post and cat tree - Try not to get deep, plush-type carpeting, as the cat's claws can get stuck in it. Posts and trees with natural fiber rope twisted around them, plus smoother fabric/carpeting, seem to be favorites of most Persians.
  • Grooming equipment - The type of coat your Persian cat has will determine what grooming tools you need. For instance, with a Persian, use a stainless steel, non-static comb to remove tangles and mats. You will need cat nail clippers to trim its nails. Also, get Kwik Stop (a styptic powder) to stop bleeding if you accidentally cut a nail too short and it bleeds.

As you can see from the list above, it's best to get these items well before bringing your new Persian home. By planning for your new Persian kitten, you can avoid impulse buying, which so many people do.

I highly recommend getting these items from a mail-order store, as it will save a tremendous amount of money, even for a scratching post or tree. For instance, I recently purchased a huge cat tree that would have cost about $375 at PetSmart or Petco. By ordering the same tree from a mail-order store, I paid $135 plus shipping, and even with shipping added, it was still less expensive than the pet stores. I like Amazon's selection and prices. You can find links to the recommended products on our Supply List page.

Vet Visit

Within the first 24 to 72 hours after getting your new Persian cat, take it to your veterinarian for an examination. This exam usually covers hearing and vision, and they will check for signs of parasites or disease. The veterinarian will check the cat's temperature, look for signs of ringworm, and assess the cat's overall health. Often, the cat may need a vaccination at this examination. The person you got the Persian from should have provided a health record showing what vaccinations and wormings the cat has had. This information is vital to your veterinarian so he will not have to unnecessarily repeat vaccinations or wormings. At this appointment, you should schedule a spay or neuter appointment for your Persian cat. Years of research show that early spay or neuter programs have no adverse effects on a cat's physical, emotional, and social development.  Here at Pelaqita Persians, we always spay or neuter any kitten going to a non-show home.

Vaccinations

Some breeders vaccinate their Persian kittens with a "3-way" shot which includes Herpesvirus (Rhinotracheitis), Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia.  Some veterinarians still give a "4-way" vaccination containing Chlamydia. However, Chlamydia is no longer considered a "CORE" vaccine.  I highly recommend that your Persian get its rabies vaccination for liability reasons (in case your kitty accidentally gets outside or bites someone).

Tests

Your veterinarian can perform the following tests, and they are completely optional. These tests are OPTIONAL and not considered part of the CORE vaccines.

  • Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV). If the cat tests positive, you will need to keep it separate from all other cats, or you risk infecting other cats.
  • Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
  • Chlamydia
  • Feline Infectious Anemia (FIA) (not as common of a test)
  • There is a test for exposure to viruses in the coronavirus family, which includes Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP). However, be aware that this test is not always accurate, and many healthy cats can test positive even if they have never been exposed to FIP. If your Persian cat tests positive and appears healthy, you may want a second opinion. There is a great deal of controversy surrounding this test and its reliability.

Good luck and enjoy your new addition!