My pets - Elysian & Ikigai (British shorthair kitties)

I’m a cat mom now

Meet Elysian and Ikigai, my two adorable British Shorthair kittens. They joined my world on June 28, 2023. They were born on June 2nd, 2023.

Before getting these cats, I studied about cats for over a month (on YouTube and other blogposts) learning about their body language, food habits, play habits.

Jackson Galaxy and his whole channel, including his show on Animal Planet: My Cat From Hell has been a blessing to get information on cats.

Why two is better than one

Almost every video I watched on the topic of cats suggested that if you’re thinking of getting a kitten, adopt two instead of one.

That way, they’ll keep each other company when you’re away

Learn from each other, play with each other and if they were born together, they are bonded to each other and shouldn’t be separated

FAQ

What do the kitties do when I’m at work?

→ They’re kittens right now, so Elysian and Ikigai are all about playful escapades, from chasing toys to cozy catnaps.

What do they eat?

→ When I first got them, they were on a dry food diet but within a week, I transitioned them to a wet food diet, because as Jackson Galaxy says

The worst wet food is better than the best dry food

and in another two weeks, I introduced raw chicken into their diet, so that’s what they’re eating now

Cats are obligate carnivores

I worry about them being deficient in vitamins or minerals so I’m considering buying supplements separately for them:

The following is a list of vitamins and minerals cats need in their diet on a daily basis:

Taurine

Vitamin E

Iodine

Vitamin B complex

Omega 3 fish oil

Feline Nutrition - Feline Nutrition's Easy Homemade Cat Food Recipe | Hare Today

This content is archived from the Feline Nutrition Foundation

https://hare-today.com/feline-nutrition/nutrition/making-raw-cat-food-for-do-it-yourselfers

Foods that cats should NEVER eat

Caffeine

Chocolate

Dairy products

Human food - even if they beg for it and try to eat it

Onions

Garlic

Grapes, raisins

Carbohydrates like grains, rice in general

Vaccinations

6-8 Weeks:

FVRCP Vaccine: This combination vaccine protects against three common feline diseases—Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia (also known as distemper). These diseases can cause respiratory issues, fever, and even be fatal, especially in young kittens.

10-12 Weeks:

FVRCP Booster: A follow-up dose of the FVRCP vaccine is administered to strengthen their immunity.

14-16 Weeks:

FVRCP Booster: Another booster shot to further enhance their immunity against the core diseases.

Rabies Vaccine: Rabies is a serious and deadly disease that can affect both cats and humans. Depending on local regulations and your kitten's lifestyle, a rabies vaccine may be required.

Neutering

Neutering is often recommended between the ages of 4 to 6 month. I see neutering as completely necessary for cats that live with humans to avoid territorial behavior

Benefits:

Less likely to develop certain health issues, such as testicular cancer, and have a lower risk of prostate problems

Less inclined to roam far from home

Less aggressive tendencies