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Old Siam Cattery
Preserving the Siamese Cat of Yesteryear
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FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
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Since we are asked a variety of questions about the feeding, care and health of our Siamese cats, we thought it would be helpful to touch on some of these topics here.
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How is a kitten registered with CFA different from one registered with another association?
CFA is the last registering organization in the world that requires pure Siamese for at least eight generations in your kitten's pedigree. Your CFA registered Siamese kitten's lineage can be traced back, in many lines, to the original imports from Siam. Pedigree research is both fascinating and frustrating. From the cats here at Old Siam that I have researched, I have traced back to King Kesho (1893), Wankee (1895), Sancho (1906), Bonzo (1924), as well as to many of the Prestwick and Doneraile cats of England, and to Siam I, Tiam O'Shian I, Susan, Yuthia, and Riku of Petaling, all of which were imported from Siam (now Thailand). In CFA, the only accepted Siamese colors are seal, blue, chocolate and lilac point. Old Siam breeds these four colors exclusively. The red, lynx, and tortie point cats are classified as Colorpoint Shorthair in CFA.
What is a Balinese?
A Balinese is simply a long haired Siamese. Many of the old style/traditional Siamese carry the long hair gene, so occasionally a kitten from two Siamese parents will be long haired and subsequently registered as a Balinese. Many of the original Siamese cats produced long haired kittens but, out of ignorance, the early breeders thought them to be impure, so they were destroyed. This same thing happened to many of the first chocolate point Siamese. Early breeders thought they were poor quality seal points and destroyed them.
What affects the price of a pedigreed kitten?
There are many factors involved in determining the price of a kitten. Responsible breeders spend a LOT of money on their cats and breeding program. Don't be fooled into thinking that this is a profitable venture. At Old Siam, our cats and kittens are fed expensive premium foods and supplements to help insure their growth and good health. There are also expenses for cat litter, vet bills, immunizations, advertising and licenses. Breeders also face unexpected vet bills such as queens with pyometra or ones needing caesarian sections. Sometimes you may be lucky enough to adopt a kitten for slightly less than the breeder's standard fee. That does not mean the kitten is inferior or will not make a good pet. Type, pedigree and age are also taken into consideration when determining a kitten's price.
What vaccinations do you give your kittens?
Our kittens are given at least a series of two shots, using Protex-3, which is a core vaccine to protect against feline rhinotracheitis, Calici, and panleukopenia. When a kitten is still at the cattery and has reached 16 weeks of age, then he will be given the third shot in the series, otherwise it is up to the new owner to have their vet complete the series.
Do you guarantee your kitten's health?
Yes, our kittens come with a written health guarantee which is in our kitten agreement. New owners must take their kitten to a licensed vet for a health check, within 72 hours of purchase/receipt, for their own peace of mind and to validate our health guarantee. We do not vaccinate for FIP and if the kitten receives this vaccine, then our health guarantee becomes null and void. Please ask us to email you a copy of our kitten agreement before you commit to purchase one of our kittens.
Do you accept personal checks?
We accept personal checks for deposits received at least two weeks prior to the kitten's departure from Old Siam. The balance should be paid either in cash, by money order or by cashier's check. No exceptions.
Will you ship your kittens?
Yes, we will ship our kittens within the continental United States. If you live outside the United States or in Alaska or Hawaii, please email us. Kittens must be at least 12 weeks of age before they can leave our cattery. The buyer is responsible for all shipping costs, which includes airfare, an airline approved kennel, and a health certificate issued by a veterinarian. Kittens must be paid for in full before being shipped and we must have the signed kitten agreement. Please keep in mind that temperatures must be between 20-85 degrees to ship our kitten. If we can get early morning flights during the summertime, then it is usually possible to ship most months.
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How much does it cost to ship a kitten?
The cost to ship a kitten varies depending on the airline and destination, but usually the airfare is between $160 to $175 for up to 50 pounds. I use Delta Airlines year round, and can use American during some months (they have a heat embargo here after May 15th). There is also a charge for the health certificate ($45 for one kitten; $65 for two on the same certificate) which is required by the airline and also an airline approved kennel ($20 for small, $30 for medium size). Two kittens of the same age can be shipped in the same kennel and the airfare is the same as if for one.
What type of kitty litter do you use?
I use Fresh Step -- plain clay litter. We don't recommend scoopable litter -- please see our link on scoopable litter and how it can be potentially deadly to your kitten. Our litter boxes are changed daily.
What brand of cat food do you feed your cats and kittens?
All our adult cats are fed Royal Canin adult formula. Our kittens are fed Royal Canin Baby Cat and then Royal Canin Kitten. We also use ANF (Advanced Nutrition Formula) kitten food which I order from Texas. We feed Felidae wet/canned food --both varieties. This is not available in Arkansas, so I have mine shipped from a distribution center in Texas. Check your pet stores for Felidae in your area. Royal Canin is available at PetCo or can be ordered online. It is also important that your kitten be offered fresh grass. This is available from PetsMart or PetCo.
How old should a kitten be before it is spayed or neutered?
My contract allows the buyer to wait until the kitten is six months old before having it spayed or neutered. Please discuss this with your veterinarian and also the method of anesthesia to be used for the surgery. It is my understanding that ketamine can be dangerous or even fatal. Other anesthetics are available.
Will the kitten get along with my existing pets?
It could take awhile for your new kitten to be accepted by your other pets. It is recommended that you keep your new kitten separated from other pets for at least a few days to give him time to adjust to the new household and family. When introducing new pets, it is wise to supervise them until you are sure they get along well. My kittens have not been raised with dogs, but they have no fear of them and I receive many pictures from customers with the kitten cuddled up next to their Lab or Retriever.
Why must a kitten be 12 weeks of age before leaving your cattery?
Because Siamese kittens are slow to mature, we do not allow them to leave our cattery before 12 weeks of age in order to help assure their good health, to provide their vaccinations, and to complete their social development. At weaning, a kitten is switching over from his mother's immunities (which he received through her milk), to his own immature immune system. This can be a critical time for the kitten as he is more susceptable to illness and disease. Please be patient if a breeder tells you that a kitten is not large or mature enough to leave -- this is for the welfare of the kitten. Your kitten will still be young enough to bond with you.
I have concerns about adopting a kitten I haven't seen.
Although this is a legitimate concern, you can lessen the concern by taking time to get to know the breeder, speaking with the breeder's vet, and viewing pictures of the kitten. If your kitten is being shipped, then you can be assured that he has seen the vet and passed the health inspection (unlike buying a kitten locally through an ad in the newspaper). You can ask to speak to the veterinarian after your kitten's exam in order to get his professional opinion about the health of the kitten.
What should I do to prepare for my new kitten's arrival?
(1) You will need a carrying crate/kennel. If you will be picking up your kitten, be sure to bring along a kennel that is clean and has ample room for your kitten to stand, turn and lay down. It is a good idea to put a blanket or pet bed in it for your kitten's comfort. If your kitten is being shipped, then he will arrive in an appropriate kennel. The kennel is essential for safely transporting the kitten.
(2) A kitty bed or basket with comfortable bedding will also be needed so your kitten will feel safe. However, your kitten will pick his own place to sleep.
(3) Your kitten will need a litter box that is deep enough and preferably with a cover to avoid accidental spills and limit odors.
(4) Buy three ceramic or stainless steel dishes -- one for fresh water (which should always be available to your kitten), one for dry food, and one for wet food.
(5) Scratching post -- to teach your kitten the proper place to scratch. Scratching is a natural feline behavior.
(6) A cat tree is nice to have because kittens love to climb and be in high places. This will also give your kitten a good place for exercise and also makes a good scratching post.
(7) Toys -- have plenty of kitty toys on hand and change them periodically when the kitten appears to become bored with the toy. There are also many interactive toys that allow you and your kitten to spend quality play time together which strengthens bonding.
(8) Prepare a place for your kitten to spend his first few days and nights... a place away from the traffic of your household where it is quiet and peaceful. Have all the kitty's belongings near him, but do not have the litter box and food area next to each other. Introduce your kitten slowly to his new home and family, especially if there are other pets.
(9) Buy the food ahead of time. Although your kitten will be sent to you with a one pound bag of Royal Canin kitten food, it is a good idea to buy a bag of that same type and have it on hand when the kitten arrives. You should have wet/canned kitty food on hand, too. We suggest Felidae if you can find it in your local pet store. Switching the type of food suddenly can cause digestive problems and diarrhea in your kitten. Changes in food should always be made gradually.
(1) Order the NuVet feline supplement ahead of time and pick up some Missing Link at your pet store. Both of these supplements will help provide your kitten with the things he needs to thrive and maintain a healthy immune system.
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