Frequently Asked Questions

If you're interested in buying a kitten, please contact us, preferably by e-mail. We'll let you know when new litters are expected. You can send a refundable deposit of $50 to us to get on the waiting list for a kitten. If you specify a color and such a kitten is born, we will contact you and find out if you want to come to see the kittens. You have the right to pass and wait for another litter. If you decide that you want it, you can pay the balance and the kitten will be reserved for you.

Kittens are generally ready for their new families when they're 12 weeks old. While we can fly the kitten to you via Delta Dash, coming to visit the cattery will give you the opportunity to see how your kitten was raised and will allow you to chose your kitten if you haven't already done so.

Before we let the kitten leave, it will be up-to-date with its vaccinations. If the kitten is less than 16 weeks old, the vaccinations will not be complete and the kitten will have to receive additional vaccinations from your veterinarian.. Vaccinations routinely given include the upper respiratory series for calici, panleukopenia and herpes. We do not routinely vaccinate for feline leukemia virus because Melodygarden Cattery is feline leukemia-free and because the vaccine has sometimes been associated with injection site sarcomas (cancer at the injection site). Rabies vaccination is available for kittens over 12 months old upon request. While this vaccination has also been associated with injection site sarcomas, rabies vaccination is required in some states. Your veterinarian can tell you if it's required.

Food and dishes for food and water.
A cat bed if you don't want him sleeping in your bed.
A cat carrier. The Sherpa bags are nice, but any relatively small carrier will work, including the rigid plastic variety. It should be large enough for a grown cat to stand up in.
A scratching post. Some cats prefer carpet (either with the top or the back facing out) while others prefer sisal.
A litterbox and litter.
Toys, including wand-type string toys, catnip mice, balls and catnip sacks.

Dry food is best for your kitten. Canned food is more expensive and can't be left out all day. It also contributes to tartar buildup and gum disease. Dry food helps scrub the teeth clean, reducing the need for dental care at the vet. We will let you know ahead of time what kind of food the kitten is used to. If you want to change to another brand, we suggest you do so gradually, mixing in a little of the new brand then slowly increasing the proportion each day until it completely replaces the old food. We will let you know how much to leave out. You can leave it out all day, although if the kitten finishes it too quickly, you may want to feed it half in the morning then the rest in the evening.

If there's a dog in the household, donot let the kitten eat the dog food. Dog food isn't fortified with taurine, an essential amino acid. If the kitten eats too much dog food and ignores cat food, taurine deficiency would eventually cause blindness.

Yes, unless the kitten is sold as a breeding quality show cat, the kitten will have to be neutered or spayed by your veterinarian. You can make arrangements to have your kitten neutered or spayed prior to getting it, for an additional cost. A limited number of unaltered breeder and show quality kittens are available to other breeders at higher cost. If you would like to show a kitten as a neuter, let us know and we will try to help you select the right show cat for you!

Our kittens and cats have always been strictly indoor pets and we strongly recommend you keep them indoors at all times. There are many dangers outside, including cars, poisons, diseases from other cats, dogs or cats that may want to fight, the elements and people who may wish your cat harm or just want it.

It doesn't hurt to comb the kitten every day for at least a minute or two. In fact, you'll both enjoy the experience. They like the feeling and will bond even better with you. To them, it feels similar to being groomed by their mother's tongue. Combing helps to keep hairball problems under control. Every spring, when warmer temperatures come, cats molt their winter coat and hairballs become more likely as they swallow more hair. During the warm weather, you should use a shedding blade, available at any pet shop, in addition to the daily combing to help strip the longer hairs away.

Generally, most cats keep themselves quite clean through daily grooming and bathing shouldn't be necessary. It's important not to get shampoo in the cat's eyes or ears and not to let it catch a chill when its fur is damp. It is very important to rinse well, as soap left in the fur may cause it to fall out. For occasional bathing, it may be better to take it to a veterinarian or cat groomer. For owners with mild allergies, bathing weekly with water may help reduce dander and allergic responses to the cat. If you have a mild allergy, it is important to keep the cat out of your bedroom!

It's very important to give the kitten an alternative to scratch. Scratching is cats' natural way of removing old claw sheaths and exercising. Buying a sturdy scratching post would help. Cats are also less likely to rip up smooth upholstery. They find rough fabrics that catch their claws more attractive. You can also minimize the damage if you trim the kitten's claws on a regular basis. We recommend small, scissors-type clippers, not the guillotine type. If you are unfamiliar with clipping claws, have your vet show you how far to clip so you won't cut into the quick. If the kitten does try to scratch furniture, you can deter it with a quick squirt from a small water pistol. (Don't use a large, "soaker" type water gun.)