Greenjack Red Cat's kittens are raised in our home with lots of attention and fun things to climb on and play with. Cats love cat trees! It's important to provide scratching posts as well. Maine Coon cats are joyful and affectionate animals. They must be taught to play gently and can become very rambunctious between the ages of 4 months to a year - especially the boys. Do not allow hand wrestling - offer a stuffed animal if a revved-up kitten tries to play roughly. Little ones are teething so be mindful of cords. Maine Coon cats are loving companions and can usually be held belly up like a baby once they trust you. They require consistent training to become well-behaved adults; their intelligence and comprehension is astounding.
Maine Coon males get very large #20 and the ladies will be big and long #12. While this breed is known for having dog-like qualities, they are cats in every way that matters. If you have a dog or dogs at home that somewhat run the place, get pushy or have less than excellent manners, then you are providing a home that's not great for a cat. The power in the favor of canine vs. feline will make most cats - even a Maine Coon live in stress of survival. If you have 1 or more well-trained, calm, mannerly dogs at home, a Maine Coon may become best buddies with them. Several cats (3+) in an indoor-only home is also not the best place to add another cat. And if you have 1 or more wild, unruly kids, that's a scary environment for a small animal. We hope for ideal homes for all of our cherished kittens. :)
Maine Coon males get very large #20 and the ladies will be big and long #12. While this breed is known for having dog-like qualities, they are cats in every way that matters. If you have a dog or dogs at home that somewhat run the place, get pushy or have less than excellent manners, then you are providing a home that's not great for a cat. The power in the favor of canine vs. feline will make most cats - even a Maine Coon live in stress of survival. If you have 1 or more well-trained, calm, mannerly dogs at home, a Maine Coon may become best buddies with them. Several cats (3+) in an indoor-only home is also not the best place to add another cat. And if you have 1 or more wild, unruly kids, that's a scary environment for a small animal. We hope for ideal homes for all of our cherished kittens. :)
We feed a varied and healthful diet, including boiled or baked chicken, canned salmon & tuna, canned cat food, dry kibble and freeze dried chicken hearts. We buy various brands of cat food while avoiding by-products and fillers such as corn. We do not measure food and give all they care to eat. We feed a wet food 2+ times daily and leave dry food for snacks and overnight hunger. We offer several different brands of both wet and dry foods, often several at one time to choose from. We sometimes switch brands abruptly yet their diet is mostly poultry based foods with beef and fish flavors sparingly included for variety. Although good things are written about raw diets, our kittens have only been introduced to raw meat that is freeze dried. A helpful website to show the nutritional value rating of many cat foods is Catfooddb.com.
Litter training is a learning process in the first few months. All kittens will go to their new homes fully litter trained. Encourage kittens with a secure, easy to find and clean litter box. The litter we prefer is World's Best Cat Litter. A less expensive substitute made with the same ingredients is called Chick Starter (non-medicated) at a farm supply store. Both kinds are whole grain and clumping while not dusty. Our kittens will be offered several different types of litter before leaving for their new homes, including wood pellets, clay and clumping. We avoid all scented products (cause headaches to humans) and usually sprinkle the bottom of a fresh pan with baking soda.
Litter training is a learning process in the first few months. All kittens will go to their new homes fully litter trained. Encourage kittens with a secure, easy to find and clean litter box. The litter we prefer is World's Best Cat Litter. A less expensive substitute made with the same ingredients is called Chick Starter (non-medicated) at a farm supply store. Both kinds are whole grain and clumping while not dusty. Our kittens will be offered several different types of litter before leaving for their new homes, including wood pellets, clay and clumping. We avoid all scented products (cause headaches to humans) and usually sprinkle the bottom of a fresh pan with baking soda.
All of our cats and some of the kittens have been tested for FeLV and FIV; All tests show negative. All tests on parent cats for HCM, PK-Def, SMA are n/n. Each kitten is wormed and vaccinated before leaving our cattery. We recommend the kitten be taken to your vet for a physical and to establish health care. Do not let the kitten roam freely in the exam room to avoid contaminates being picked up in the fur. Choose a vet that is conservative with invasive procedures and updated on the best wellness protocol, such as a titer to ensure immunity rather than vaccinating year after year. If your vet recommends spay / neuter at 6 months, this vet does not know enough about Maine Coons. Consider a vet's advice along with research of your own to make informed decisions. Reducing stress and feeding quality food is great for keeping a cat healthy and thriving.
Wait to spay or neuter until your kitten is 8 - 14 months (female) and 9 - 12 months (male). This allows them to more fully develop secondary sex characteristics, be more confident individuals, and less likely to have endocrine and weight problems later. Maine Coon cats develop slowly; It's good to allow the kitten more time for growing and developing a strong immunity before surgery. It's easier for a vet to alter early but not healthier for the kitten. We prefer that core vaccines be given at 10 and 16 weeks of age, then a booster at 18 months and no other vaccines but rabies. We prefer a PUREVAX rabies vaccine be given after 20 weeks, not at the same time as surgery. If you get a microchip put in at anytime, remember to register it.
Eventually, unaltered cats do become difficult to live with. After they pass one year of age, they can become a danger to themselves and other cats with their hormonal bravado and frustration. Spay or neuter before this happens - don't wait too long! Kittens are sold as Pets only and come with no breeding rights. Breeding rights may be purchased at an additional cost and will include a mentorship.
Wait to spay or neuter until your kitten is 8 - 14 months (female) and 9 - 12 months (male). This allows them to more fully develop secondary sex characteristics, be more confident individuals, and less likely to have endocrine and weight problems later. Maine Coon cats develop slowly; It's good to allow the kitten more time for growing and developing a strong immunity before surgery. It's easier for a vet to alter early but not healthier for the kitten. We prefer that core vaccines be given at 10 and 16 weeks of age, then a booster at 18 months and no other vaccines but rabies. We prefer a PUREVAX rabies vaccine be given after 20 weeks, not at the same time as surgery. If you get a microchip put in at anytime, remember to register it.
Eventually, unaltered cats do become difficult to live with. After they pass one year of age, they can become a danger to themselves and other cats with their hormonal bravado and frustration. Spay or neuter before this happens - don't wait too long! Kittens are sold as Pets only and come with no breeding rights. Breeding rights may be purchased at an additional cost and will include a mentorship.
Please No declawing! This is chopping off part of the toes which is disabling and cruel. It is illegal in many countries and 2 US states (so far). Don't get a young cat if you can't handle a little scratch. Often when a growing kitten is being too rough, it's because 1 person in the household is encouraging rough play for fun. While It's cute to tickle /wrestle a baby with wiggling fingers, it's bad training and encourages a kitten to attack anyone. The command we use during play is "Be Gentle" spoken in a gentle tone. Everyone must be gentle in handling the kitten. Give a stuffed animal to a kitten wanting to brawl. Another cause of scratching comes from fear. All handlers must be calm and firm and show kindness and dominance, or put the cat in time-out. If a kitten scratches a kid, let the child know the pet was either scared or being naughty. Do not let a kitten get away with being naughty but do not expect no scratches at all while a kitten learns and grows. Most bad behavior is a passing phase and Maine Coon cats stay respectful, playful, active and adorable into old age.
Training a kitten is ongoing, just as a growing puppy needs guidance. Various cat scratchers including sisal rope and cardboard types are useful. Because Maine Coons are more obedient than average, they can be trained to avoid furniture and counters. Still, they'll race all over the house for fun - for months and years to come. Real leather furniture is the most resilient around kitty toenails, with fabric a second choice, and fake leather will get punctured right away. For general discipline, use a stern "No", "Get Down" or whatever command fits, with a light swat or shove if needed, followed by a quick gentle rub and sweet words, then ignore them for a while. Children must be supervised and taught how to handle a kitten. A kitten is not a toy and may scratch if frightened; a larger kitten will use claws if played with in a rough manner. A hand is not a toy, ever. Early neuter will not calm a rambunctious kitten because hormones are not the cause, it's training. Consistent training takes time and you'll be rewarded with a lovely, mannerly pet.
Training a kitten is ongoing, just as a growing puppy needs guidance. Various cat scratchers including sisal rope and cardboard types are useful. Because Maine Coons are more obedient than average, they can be trained to avoid furniture and counters. Still, they'll race all over the house for fun - for months and years to come. Real leather furniture is the most resilient around kitty toenails, with fabric a second choice, and fake leather will get punctured right away. For general discipline, use a stern "No", "Get Down" or whatever command fits, with a light swat or shove if needed, followed by a quick gentle rub and sweet words, then ignore them for a while. Children must be supervised and taught how to handle a kitten. A kitten is not a toy and may scratch if frightened; a larger kitten will use claws if played with in a rough manner. A hand is not a toy, ever. Early neuter will not calm a rambunctious kitten because hormones are not the cause, it's training. Consistent training takes time and you'll be rewarded with a lovely, mannerly pet.
Our cattery is registered with TICA and each of our kittens has a pedigree registration paper provided after proof of alter, unless otherwise stated in email correspondence or the sales contract. If breeding rights are purchased, the TICA registration is given immediately and the registry is notified to allow the offspring to be registered. Greenjack cattery has a fairly lenient contract in place and we do not restrict our cats from outdoor play; we appreciate fresh air. Most breeders insist a cat may never be given away or sold and prohibit allowing a cat outside. It's rare if they offer breeding rights and they sometimes dictate that a kitten must be spayed / neutered at an excessively early age. They require you sign an agreement that if you break a rule they can seize your pet at anytime. Greenjack is different, perhaps more trusting of pet owners, and we'll offer guidance as needed.
Our main objectives beyond a secure, stress-free and loving home are to avoid declawing and to ensure spay or neuter takes place at the appropriate time. Bringing your cat to a vet, pet store, groomer, park or around strange animals is high risk and staying home with indoor space and a private fenced yard / catio is low-risk. Weigh the risks to determine how much testing, alternative vaccines and added preventatives you think are needed. We ask that you take excellent care of the kitten to the best of your ability. If ever it doesn't work out we'll gladly accept the cat back, however you're free to find a suitable replacement home on your own. Please never surrender to a shelter and avoid private rescues as well. Charge a fee if you must re-home; we'll buy the cat back if needed. Be aware that to let a cat roam outside unsupervised has many dangers. We trust you as the buyer / pet owner to make good and thoughtful decisions for the lifetime of the kitten.
Our main objectives beyond a secure, stress-free and loving home are to avoid declawing and to ensure spay or neuter takes place at the appropriate time. Bringing your cat to a vet, pet store, groomer, park or around strange animals is high risk and staying home with indoor space and a private fenced yard / catio is low-risk. Weigh the risks to determine how much testing, alternative vaccines and added preventatives you think are needed. We ask that you take excellent care of the kitten to the best of your ability. If ever it doesn't work out we'll gladly accept the cat back, however you're free to find a suitable replacement home on your own. Please never surrender to a shelter and avoid private rescues as well. Charge a fee if you must re-home; we'll buy the cat back if needed. Be aware that to let a cat roam outside unsupervised has many dangers. We trust you as the buyer / pet owner to make good and thoughtful decisions for the lifetime of the kitten.