How to Choose the Right Kitten
Kittens are pretty much all adorable. How do you know you are picking the right one for your home, who will grow up into the right cat for your life? A good breeder wants to help make sure that every kitten is in the right home by asking you questions about what you are looking for. There is a spectrum in any breed that can be somewhat predictable based on lines or on how a kittens personality or other traits are presenting in the early weeks.
Adventure Cats
Do you want to have a cat that you can take with you on holidays? Camping trips? Hiking? Animal behaviourists are now saying that cats can and should have lives much more like our dogs do, accompanying us on pack walks, having a little variety in their lives, and a lot more exercise than most of them are getting! But most kittens don’t get the ideal start for this kind of life. Exposure to travel, sounds, smells, and adventure at a young age can help compliment Kurilian’s natural adventurous side. We have raised cats suited for apartment living and cats suitable for the nomad life. Talk to your breeder about your cats ideal routine and if they can help introduce things that your cat will experience.
Do You Have Allergies?
If you are managing allergies, you are not necessarily destined for a feline free life. There are different types of cat allergies and therefore different types of hypoallergenic cats. No cat is completely allergen free. When people refer to hypoallergenic cats, they are talking about lower allergen cats. You’ve no doubt read of a few famous breeds. Siberian’s are the only breed known to have generally lower fel D1 in their saliva, that’s the protein most people are allergic to. Any cat from any breed can have higher or lower levels. Kurilians are known for being hypoallergenic, however, there is no body of research confirming or denying that they, as a breed, have lower levels of fel D1.
If you suffer from allergies, we recommend testing to find out if you are allergic to their saliva or fur oil. We have found that many lines have less oily coats that can be less triggering for allergies to the oil. Ask your doctor about testing if you aren’t sure what’s right for you. This can help you decide what type of hypoallergenic cat to look for. Some Kurilians are lower shedding than others as they have predominantly awn coat with less wooly undercoat than some other long haired breeds. A low shedding cat means less allergens left around the house. The Kurilian breed standard is a single hair type coat. While most cats have 3 layers of fur, Kurilians have one well developed hair type. That means a non-matting, low-shedding coat. There is still a spectrum in every breed; When choosing a kitten, ask about the parents lines and shedding. It’s not always easy to predict as the genetics for coat are complex, but some lines that have focused on coat type can be predicted well.
Another way to manage allergens is to clean them right at the source. Kurilians are generally outgoing with good nerves. If properly trained from a young age, Kurilians can learn to tolerate and even enjoy bath time. We find washcloth baths are tolerated better by most but have raised some kittens that dive in for a good splash.
If you suffer from allergies, we recommend testing to find out if you are allergic to their saliva or fur oil. We have found that many lines have less oily coats that can be less triggering for allergies to the oil. Ask your doctor about testing if you aren’t sure what’s right for you. This can help you decide what type of hypoallergenic cat to look for. Some Kurilians are lower shedding than others as they have predominantly awn coat with less wooly undercoat than some other long haired breeds. A low shedding cat means less allergens left around the house. The Kurilian breed standard is a single hair type coat. While most cats have 3 layers of fur, Kurilians have one well developed hair type. That means a non-matting, low-shedding coat. There is still a spectrum in every breed; When choosing a kitten, ask about the parents lines and shedding. It’s not always easy to predict as the genetics for coat are complex, but some lines that have focused on coat type can be predicted well.
Another way to manage allergens is to clean them right at the source. Kurilians are generally outgoing with good nerves. If properly trained from a young age, Kurilians can learn to tolerate and even enjoy bath time. We find washcloth baths are tolerated better by most but have raised some kittens that dive in for a good splash.
Therapy Cats
Are you looking for a very special cat who can help someone cope? Maybe a cat who can accompany you places and ease anxiety? Or a friend to keep you company at home. Petting cats has been shown to lower anxiety and have benefits akin to meditation. Perhaps you want a friend for a child with social or learning challenges who needs a kitten that is well adjusted with kids and lots of handling. Studies show that a calm and tolerant kitten adopted from a breeder at weaning is the ideal companion for children with ASD. Or perhaps you’re thinking of an elderly parent who needs a gentle companion. Caring for pets has been shown to help patients with Alzheimer’s by making a connection and bringing back memories and feelings connected to previous pets.
Each case needs a special fit. We loved taking our kittens to homes, daycares and high schools which helped us condition and assess them for therapy work. Kittens raised in homes with people of different ages, and that get exposed to lots of things like dogs, household sounds, and more, can be better candidates. We used desensitization soundtracks for our kittens. If you are looking for a therapy cat, tell your breeder what type of therapy work you want your kitten to adapt to and they can help you select the right fit.
Each case needs a special fit. We loved taking our kittens to homes, daycares and high schools which helped us condition and assess them for therapy work. Kittens raised in homes with people of different ages, and that get exposed to lots of things like dogs, household sounds, and more, can be better candidates. We used desensitization soundtracks for our kittens. If you are looking for a therapy cat, tell your breeder what type of therapy work you want your kitten to adapt to and they can help you select the right fit.