Frequently Asked Questions

How are our kittens raised?

Our kittens are born in a "queening pen", which is generally a cat show shelter, a very small room (put together specifically for the cats), or a large enclosure. We use these so that our queens and their kittens have plenty of room, and they are kept confined. Otherwise, mama cats tend to move their kittens around, which can become a problem for various reasons. We find it best to keep them all together where they can easily be accessed by us, and not our other cats. Babies stay in this pen until they are 4-6 weeks, (usually when they are starting to eat solid foods, and experiment with the litter box).
After the birthing pen, they graduate to the mesh play pen. This gives them a bit more room, but they can still be confined when needed. Once they are about 8-9 weeks old, and confident with the litter box, they are set out to explore the house for a few hours during the day. By 10 weeks, They are zipping through the house at full speed from one end to the other at 4am, and having a ball. They are following us around at our ankles during the day, and jumping in a lap whenever the opportunity is given. Our babies are riding around on our shoulders and cuddling up in our beds. The kittens in our home are raised with dogs. They grow up being followed around by an obnoxious little Pug, and a big cuddly Pitbull. They are used to loud noises in an active household, which tends to make the adjustment period In their new homes easier, as there are sure to be unfamiliar sounds, smells, and animals. As adults, our cats have free roam of the house. 

What do we feed our cats and what kind of litter do we use?

All of our cats are fed a combination of Diamond Naturals Active cat, Purina pro plan dry and canned food, along with chicken hearts, gizzards, and occasionally breasts/thighs. Kittens are usually eating Purina one Kitten mixed with Royal Canin Babycat.
Cats of the Siamese/oriental breed group have been known to develop kidney issues later on in life if not fed a proper diet with lots of moisture, so we use canned food as the main meal for our cats. Dry food is left out for them to graze. Many Siamese/Orientals have sensitive digestive systems. Their Diet may need to be modified to a limited ingredient grain free food, depending on the individual.

We use fresh step crystals. Crystal litter is often preferred due to its exceptional odor control capabilities, thanks to the silica gel crystals that effectively absorb moisture and odors, making it a cleaner option compared to traditional clay litter, while also being lightweight and easier to scoop, which can be beneficial for both the cat and the owners. 

Pet insurance

Each of our kittens leave us with 4 weeks of free pet insurance through Trupanion. Please go online and activate your kitten's insurance no longer than 24 hours after he or she arrives home. This insurance covers any emergency vet care, or unexpected sick visits. We recommend remaining on the plan so your baby will always be covered.

Cost of a kitten

You should expect to pay between $2000 and $3000 for any well bred pedigreed kitten from a reputable cattery. The cost may vary depending on the breed, and the vet care included in the purchase of your kitten. Breeders often have young adults available at a reduced fee.

Microchipping

Each of our kittens leave our home with a microchip. This ensures that myself and the owner will be informed by a shelter, rescue, or veterinarian, should the kitten should be brought in and scanned for a microchip. This makes it easier to be reunited with their owner. 1 "It hurts your pet very little. Getting microchipped is as simple as getting a vaccination. It probably hurts about as much as it does when we get shots." 2 "It's a simple procedure. The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and is inserted into a soft area on the back. Easy and simple." 3 "It could save your pet's life. If your pet is lost or stolen, having a microchip could be the key to bringing Fido back home. If "someone finds and takes your pet in to get scanned, you'll be reunited in no time." 4 It's your proof of ownership. If your pet is stolen and ends up getting scanned somewhere, your information will pop up, as long as you've registered the chip with the database. It's a quick way for your stolen pet to be returned to you."

http://www.cfa.org/Owners/CatCare/Microchipping.aspx

Spay and Neuter Policy

Here at Kokiri, we practice "ESN" (early spay and neuter), which means our babies are altered around 15-16 weeks of age. They come to you fully vetted. In our experience, we can see that kittens bounce back from the surgery much faster than our retired adults. In addition to the speedy recovery time, we have also noticed the temperaments of the kittens who have been altered very early on to be much sweeter, and sometimes more affectionate compared to the adults we've had spayed and neutered.
You can read more about it in the link from the CFA website attached below.

http://www.cfa.org/Owners/CatCare/SpayNeuter/EarlySpayNeuter.aspx

Why we spay and neuter:

http://www.cfa.org/Owners/CatCare/SpayNeuter/SpayNeuterFAQs.aspx

Indoor Home Only!

We offer pet kittens to loving, indoor homes only. Most pet owners know and agree that allowing any pet cat to roam freely outdoors is unnecessary and just not safe. We want to make sure our kittens have the best chance at a long and happy life with their new families However, our babies and most of the Siamese/Balinese/oriental breed group are very adventurous and enjoy taking part in whatever it is you're doing. They love being outside safely secured on a harness, or in a catio. We also take our babies for rides in the car, and trips to the pet store. 

http://www.cfa.org/Owners/CatCare/SaferIndoors.aspx

Do we show our cats?

We show our breeding cats primarily with CFA and TICA. We feel it is important for any serious breeder to be sure they are producing cats that meet the breed standard. Showing is one of the best ways to do that. We work to promote and improve the cats in the Siamese/Oriental breed group. Feel free to reach out to find out which shows we might be attending if you'd like to meet some of our kitties, as we travel to some of the surrounding states occasionally for cats shows. Our cats are always happy to meet spectators. You can check for local cat shows on CFA and TICA's websites.

What is the appropriate age for kittens to leave? 

Kittens raised at Kokiri stay with us for a minimum of 15 weeks, however this time period can and will be extended if a baby needs more time with Mom. From what we've seen, this makes for a healthier kitten (both physically and emotionally). Kittens need their mother for more than just her milk, or the ability to feed them. The mother cat teaches her kittens manners and instills confidence in her babies when it comes time for socializing. A properly socialized kitten is facing an easier/shorter adjustment period than one removed from it's mother and siblings too early.