Kitten Supplies and FAQs

Trupanion Go Home Day Offer

No Waiting Periods

To best protect this kitten from exposure to unknown illnesses, ForestSpots Cattery requires proof of a reputable pet insurance policy for this kitten. The policy must be activate prior to travel and remain in effect for a minimum of 180-days. The adopter is to initiate and pay for the policy and provide ForestSpots Cattery with the insurance company and policy number. The kitten will not be allowed to travel without an active policy.

We feed our cats and kittens a variety of foods from wet to dry to raw.

 

You will receive an email from Royal Canin (Royal Canin on Behalf of Pamela Ware <hello@mypetreco.com>) with our kitten food recommendations. The link in the email will provide you with 20% off your first order. Setting up your autoship will save you 5% off every autoship order + free shipping.

 

Your kitten will be started on Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Mother & Babycat Ultra Soft Mousse in Sauce Canned Cat Food. The soft food is paired with Royal Canin® Feline Health Nutrition™ Mother & Babycat Dry Cat Food.

 

Prior to coming  home:

  • We transition your kitten to Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Kitten Loaf in Sauce Canned Cat Food. We recommend the Loaf over the Thin Slices with gravy. The thin slices with gravy will have more carbohydrates. It is also beneficial to add an extra tablespoon of water to the loaf.

  • They will also be fed Royal Canin® Feline Health Nutrition™ Kitten Dry Cat Food and Royal Canin Feline Breed Nutrition Maine Coon Kitten Dry Cat Food which is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of the long growth period of purebred large breed kittens.

  • For heart health, we like Orijen's Six Fish Dry Cat Food.

  • For a high protein food we like Dr. Elsely's Cleanprotein dry and wet formulas.

  • Below you will find a starter feeding schedule including amounts. We utilize timed automatic pet feeders to to manage feedings.

Benefits to an Automatic / Timed Feeder:

  • Portion Control

  • Instinctive Prey Drive

  • On-time feedings

  • Frequent small meals

  • Reduced Stress

Link to Amazon Shopping List

Upon bringing your kitten home, you will want to have the following foods and suppliments available:

  • Royal Canin Feline Breed Nutrition Maine Coon Kitten Dry Cat Food

  • Royal Canin Kitten Dry Cat Food

  • Dr. Elsey's Cleanprotein Chicken Recipe

  • Royal Canin Kitten Loaf in Sauce Canned Cat Food

  • As Norwegian Forest Cats are a slow maturing breed, feed a kitten regime until they are at least 18 months to 2 years old.

 

Important Notes on Water:

  • We recommend buying bottled spring water (not distilled water) for your cat to avoid chemicals and high mineral content in the water.

  • For every five pounds that your cat weighs, they should consume at least 3 ounces of water daily.

  • Dehydration can lead to cat bladder problems and urinary diseases.

  • Offer both flowing water and still water to your cat; providing a water fountain can encourage increased drinking. We prefer a fountain to have as much stainless steel as possible for sanitary reasons.

 

Supplements and Treats

  • Orijen Six Fish Freeze Dried Cat Treats -- Heart Healthy and Tasty

  • Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Raw Single Ingredient Cat Treats, Minnows

  • NuVet Plus® Feline Powder -- Overall Health -- Ordering directly from NuVet, 1-800-474-7044 or www.nuvet.com, with Order Code 200893 provides proof of purchase to validate your health guarantee.

As an adult cat, Royal Canin offers many options. It is best to consult your veternarian to best meet the needs of your specific cat.  That said, our cat's favorites are:

  • Dr. Elsey's Cleanprotein Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food

  • Dr. Elsey's Cleanprotein Salmon Formula Dry Cat Food

  • Orijen Six Fish Dry Cat Food

  • Royal Canin Feline Breed Nutrition Maine Coon Kitten Dry Cat Food

  • Continue Supplements

 

If you are interested in a raw diet, please ask.

This information is intended as a guide only. Each kitten is different in what they enjoy eating and the amounts they need to grow. Please ask if you have questions.

 

NOTES: The goal is to have your kitten finish each meal before the next meal is dispensed; without going hungry.

  • We utilize timed automatic feeders for our feedings

  • You will begin to see your kitten get excited each time the feeder goes off and run to the feeder, this is their prey / hunting drive engaging.

  • If using an automatic feeder it will dispense "servings"; number of servings will be referenced below.

  • If you see your kitten eating quickly and vomitting after eating, they are going hungry between feedings; increase the servings being dispensed.

  • If there is food left over between meals, decrease the servings being dispensed.

  • Be sure to adjust the daily amounts as your kitten grows.

 

Setting up the initial feeding schedule (automatic and timed feeders are ideal, we have 3, but you can certainly combine and mix your kitty's favorites and feed them mixed together from one feeder!)

NOTE: Be sure to adjust the daily amounts as your kitten grows

  • Dr. Elsey's Dry Food - feed 1/4 cup daily

  • Royal Canin Maine Coon Kitten - feed 1/2 cup daily

  • Royal Canin Kitten Dry Food feed 1/3 cup daily

  • Orijen Six Fish feed 1/4 cup daily

  • Kitten Loaf in Sauce feed 5 - 6 ounces daily Your kitten will be most active in the evenings,  mornings and the middle of the night; see the below recommended timings on your feeders.

 

Dr Elsey's Dry Food

  • 2:00 AM -- 1serving

  • 8:00 AM -- 1serving

  • 2:00 PM -- 1serving

  • 8:00 PM -- 1serving

  •  

Royal Canin Kitten Dry Food

  • 2:00 AM -- 1servings

  • 8:00 AM -- 1servings

  • 2:00 PM -- 1serving

  • 8:00 PM -- 1serving

 

Royal Canin Maine Coon Kitten

  • 5:00 AM -- 1 serving

  • 11:00 AM -- 1 serving

  • 5:00 PM -- 2 servings

  • 11:00 PM -- 2 servings

 

Orijen Six Fish

  • Noon -- 1 serving

  • Midnight -- 1 serving

 

Kitten Loaf in Sauce / NuVet Plus® Feline Powder

  • 8:00 AM -- half of a 5.1 oz can or a full 3 oz can add 1/2 serving NuVet Plus® Feline Powder

  • 8:00 PM -- half of a 5.1 oz can or a full 3 oz can add 2.5 ml of Fish Oil

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This is such an interesting topic to be honest. Each kitty has their own preference. Always provide each cat in your home with 1 litter box, plus one extra. We find many of our kitties like to urinate in one box and poo in a separate box. So, this could mean 3 boxes for one cat.

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This is what your kitty will be used to:

  • Disposable Litter Boxes

  • Purina Tidy Cats Non Clumping Litter System, Breeze XL

 

We love love love Dr. Elsey's litter choices and use:

  • Dr. Elsey's Paw Sensitive Clumping Clay Cat Litter

  • Dr. Elsey's Kitten Attract Clumping Clay Cat Litter

Absolutely! Start young and your kitty will love bathtime! A well groomed kitty is a pleasure for both you and them. We recommend a bath every 2 months or as needed. Norwegian Forest Cats are a natural breed, so never trim their linx points, feet hair tufts, their tail or their mane.

 

Be informed about what scents your cat likes / dislikes and what scents / plants / oils are toxic to your cat. It is shocking to me how many cat shampoos contain toxic ingredients. Our favorite shampoo is Sunny Honeysuckle Shampoo + Conditioner For Dogs And Cats by m.barc.

 

In our Amazon shopping list you will find a nice small dryer to use.

Link to Amazon Shopping List

Link to Amazon Shopping List

Keep in mind that you kitten is going to love to climb. We have taken a 4x4 douglas fir post and wrapped it with jute string to make a floor to ceiling post. Because Norwegian Forest Cats are large and powerful we connected the post to a stud using 2 sets of 3/4" black iron pipe and flanges. The post does not contain any platforms going up and allows our cats to 'scale a tree' for lack of a better term. Adding a nesting area at the top is ideal. Your kitty will love high places and if you provide appropriate high places this will aid in keeping your kitty away from dangerous areas of your home.

Absolutely! Norwegian Forest Cats are a naturally occuring breed and LOVE the outdoors!

 

Never allow your Norwegian Forest Cat to be outside unattended! They do love the outdoors and we encourage you to provide an enclosed and safe catio for your new kitty! It is important you protect them from stray cats and cats with an unknown vaccination history. Norwegian Forest Cats are adaptable to leash and harness training if you enjoy walking your pet or hiking. Always be prepared with a backpack carrier just incase your kitty gets tired. We personally love our kitty stollers.

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Disclaimer- I am not a vet and this is my opinion:

 

Research is always improving and recommendations by vets and research professionals change; as will my recommendations as years go on. I am typically of the opinion that waiting longer is beneficial.

 

Females not intended for breeding should be allowed to have 1-3 heat cycles before being spayed. I believe males will grow to be stronger and larger (not just fatter) if left in tact as long as possible and at the earliest 8-10 months.


Please do your own research and work with your vet on when you feel is the most appropriate time for you and your pet. In researching please remember to stick with reputable sites. I am providing some links to articles I found interesting, current and relevant.

Neutering Cats 101

By Katie Grzyb, DVM on May 18, 2023

petmd.com

What Are Tomcat Jowls (Cheeks) In Male Cats?

By Dr. Rosalind Wright Feb 22, 2023

cats.com

Comparison of growth in neutered Domestic Shorthair kittens with growth in sexually-intact cats

Observation Study: Mar 15, 2023
Carina Salt, Richard F Butterwick, Kristin S Henzel, Alexander J German

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov