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Monica

Monica

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Hola again Lairians! I need some help choosing some products/goodies for my soon-to-be-kitty! I'm new to the sphynx breed, and I would really appreciate any tips from the veterans. :)

Below is the list of items that I'm currently shopping for. I've picked out a few, so if you have any comments good or bad please share. I have a little less than 2 months to get my house kitty proof and stocked to welcome my little boy. Thanks in advance!

- Dry Food: Merrick limited turkey (kibble recommended by breeder)
- Wet Food?
- Litter: Kitten Attract
- Litter Box: Top Entry or Front? I have a yorkie that I need to keep out lol. He likes to bring my 'gifts.' :yuck:
- Scratch Post/Furniture: I need something that looks nice. I don't mind spending a bit here.
- Shampoo: Hylyt seems to be the most used/liked. Would Honest Co baby shampoo work?
- Toys: Da Bird + ???
- Nail Clippers?
- Clothing recommendations? My 4 lb yorkie has an extensive wardrobe, do y'all think his clothes will fit the kitty for awhile before we buy cat clothing?
+ Anything else you can think of that's useful or any insider tips lol.

We have blankets, food dishes, beds, and heating pads. Any advice for litter training and keeping kitty from clawing my furniture is greatly appreciated! I also would like to train kitty not to sprint out my door when it's opened. We let the dogs out many times a day to use the restroom, and I'm worried that kitty may run out and get lost. It took quit a while to train my dogs, and I have yet to train a cat. I read sphynx are more open to training than other breeds of cats. Any pro tips??

PS. This site is much more welcoming and helpful than other forums I've been on (yorkie and baby forums). There's a lot more genuine support here at Sphynx Lair, and I have yet to see a single snide remark from any thread I've read!! Thank you for making us newbies feel welcome. I know y'all must answer the same redundant questions, so I appreciate the warm welcome and friendly advice!:kiss::happy:
 
Catzzzmeow

Catzzzmeow

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@Monica Welcome to Sphynxlair!

You have a great list going. I can see you have been researching and that it awesome.

1. As far as food goes we always started with what our breeder used as well and then slowly switched over to another food. We currently use Merrick grain free wet with 2 of ours the other is on prescriptive food for urinary issues.

2. We also started with kitten attract for litter

3. We use front entry litter boxes when they were tiny and then transitioned to top loading and a litter robot. No dogs here, so I can only imagine how frustrating you must get knowing your pup likes “tootsie rolls” ugh.

4. We have had best luck with carpeted cat trees. We found it holds up better than the other materials. Be sure it is sturdy and not easily tip-able a wide base usually helps.

5. Here is a poll on shampoos. I love D’Grease What product do you bathe your sphynx with?

6. Da Bird is a must lol. I just make sure any toys with strings and or feathers are used only during supervised playtime. Laser toys are super at tiring them out too.

7. I use the type that looks like scissors.

8. We only use clothes when going to the vet. We are getting a baby in May, maybe we will do clothes with this one since hubby works from home now. I always feared them getting hung up on something. Lots of sites on Etsy for clothes.

9. Suggestions:

Get exfoliant gloves for bath time...they help you get a better grip and helps get the dirt off easily.

L-lysine...many stress going to their forever homes ants get upper respiratory infections. Lysine is a great booster. We actually use it morning and night on ours wet food. L-Lysine for Sphynx Cats

Blankets and lots of them lol.

Thank you so much for recognizing this community is very different from others. Every member takes pride in that we try to keep the bashing and bullying out as best possible. Every member deserves to feel happy and excited about their babies.
 
Sheldon13

Sheldon13

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You know it’s funny that you talk about us answering redundant questions. I actually love it because I get to share my experiences and favorite things over and over again with people who want to know.

From your list I’d say DEFINITELY get a Da’Bird. It’s the best toy EVER!!! Also the Hylte shampoo is the best. I used something different for a long time and it worked great actually, but we tried Hylte and it is superior. For the cat trees and scratchers what I’m going to tell you is that Armarkat is the best and longest lasting brand I have found if you are going store-bought. I have and have had several brands and this is what I’ve found to be true. It’s also the sturdiest. Which now that I think of it is probably why it’s longest lasting.

Anywho I hope I helped a little. I can’t wait for your gotcha day and to watch your little one grow up!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Condo commando

Condo commando

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- Dry Food: Merrick limited turkey (kibble recommended by breeder)
Pass.

- Wet Food?
I feed raw but in a pinch I go for cans of Natural Balance Original Ultra.

- Litter: Kitten Attract
If you want another option - Smartcat All Natural Clumping Litter

- Litter Box: Top Entry or Front? I have a yorkie that I need to keep out lol. He likes to bring my 'gifts.' :yuck:
Don't know what to say....I hope the yorkie doesn't like "kitty snacks"

- Scratch Post/Furniture: I need something that looks nice. I don't mind spending a bit here.
Mix it up....different cats like different things. Mine love cheap cardboard scratchers, go figure.
I also bought a couple of ottomans made from sea grass - the cats use them as scratchers which I knew they would but I have them in the living room and they're great for putting your feet on and for extra seating.

- Shampoo: Hylyt seems to be the most used/liked. Would Honest Co baby shampoo work?
Another option - EarthBath Hypo Allergenic For Cats

- Toys: Da Bird + ???
One of my cats loves Da Bird but the other one only goes for the Jackson Galaxy iguana. It has a retractable wand so it can be put away easily. https://www.petmate.com/jackson-galaxy-ground-prey-wand-with-iguana/product/31486

- Nail Clippers?
I would think the same one for the yorkie would work

- Clothing recommendations? My 4 lb yorkie has an extensive wardrobe, do y'all think his clothes will fit the kitty for awhile before we buy cat clothing?
Good idea

+ Anything else you can think of that's useful or any insider tips lol.
I keep machine washable throws on my furniture at all times. It's not just the scratching but when they lay in one place over time you will see a dark spot. I also drape regular bath hand towels on my dining room chairs since I already had to reupholster them so I learned my lesson. I live with Captain Destructo and her apprentice.
 
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Yoda mom

Yoda mom

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@Monica , So excited for you ! We can't wait for update and gotcha pics and tails!
So glad you are enjoying this fun friendly bunch
We all come here for the love of sphynx .. Amd all babies to be honest ..
Sphynxlair is my only Social media .. I remember when o joined and felt exactly the same .

You will have sphynx friends here for life ..
We all learn and grow together here and everyone has something to contribute whether a fist day member or here for years.

Great advice given and sure others will chime in too
We all get excited with members gotchas!

Dry food - all 4 sphynx and a Bengal with IBD do great on Nutrisource cat and kitten (no recalls either )
Litter - I hear cat attract works great - I have adults and use non scented dr elseys in blue bag or petsuoermarket odor destoyer which is a very comparable dupe to dr elseys

Litter boxes - recommend several 2-3 for ome kitty at various places - away from nosey wash machines etc
Favs here :
1. Catit jumbo litter box - I take off the flap door - it's nice and big for tall boys and lid folds back for easy - lol we are all poo patrol pros
2. The good pet stuff hidden litter box - I don't use the vines and miss and turn toward the corner -this is the fav of all

Scratch post - mine like the brown sisal that comes on their fav cat tree - Kitty Mansions cat tree -redwood-
It is dark grey with brown sisal - tall 72' with a base 24"x24"
Is sturdy for kitty zoomies woth a,l four of my adults at omce . They like the condo on it and the bolstered too perches

Batman likes the carpeted wall angled scratch post but laid on the floor flat
Tip- train like a dog -
I scratch on the post with kitty watching lo, and give lots of praise and a treat on it for reinforcement as soon as they touch it
I redirect to scratch post if they are eyeballing something else

Claire bare likes the cat board Emory board scratcher but no one else does

Macie s fav is the ultimate cat scratcher with separate purchased perch

The absolute favs here are da bird - supervised only
, ping pong balls in the tub , rubber hair bands for fetch -put away in a jar after fetch game -

the must have here is the smart cat climber
It easily latches on a door - it's like the super highway ! it has the same scratch marterial as the ultimate cat scratcher.
Claire bare scratches on the smart cat climber all the time
Plus , the smart cat climber is what I used it to train to as a spot to meet n greet when I opened doors

Always always open and close doors slowly lookimg down at the corner and at your feet -
They are stealth! I had mine microchipped during spay /neuter
Prefer homeagain brand microchip bcz can manage account online with photo and they have email alerts
Don't have to pay every year only if you want the trip insurance , flyers etc land I can still manage my account on,one without paying the crew renewal bcz I domt need the trio insurance etc
Once Homeagain chipped it is life time registration - even though they send renewal info - you can call and confirm

Nail clippers - many use human finger nail clippers or toe nail clippers
As well as the scissor type
I use both - my Macie will only tolerate nail trimming with a toe nail clipper

Exfoliating gloves and Hyly shampoo here

Dog microfiber drying towels I get cheap at Marshalls
50"x60" plush throw blankets - easy wash and to drape on sofa and use on your bed to train kitty sleepy sleep time

Wet food - mine were impossible - I tired every high end etc -
For years I have been mixing l-lysine powder in proplan urinart focus wet food.
Lol adoptee kitty had urinary crystals - refused vet cd food - the proplan so lair phosphorus amd no more issues - go figure so I stick with it to mix l-lysine in it

My breeder I adopted from I believe uses royal canin baby cat wet food

Kitty proof for life !
Toilet lids down , hot stove tips cooled , washers , dryers dishwashers , breakables , jewelery, dental floss , hot hair styling tools, etc even kitty proof cat toys! Bells strings etc

Look at your home and think I am getting s monkey! What needs to be kitty proofed lol

Welcome to sphynx life :)
 
Yoda mom

Yoda mom

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@Monica
Here are some of the products I like for my crew
Redwood I don't use the vines
Love the Small 24"base , dark coloring , plush perches, sisal amd condo amd is 75" tall amd sturdy
They run wild on it scratching the sisal right up the side and it has never budged .
I put in indirect sun window

Good Pet Stuff - Free shipping at Chewy.com I don't use the Vines and moss

SmartCat Cat Climber YouTube assembly instructions are great

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/hagen-catit-x-large-hooded-litter-box-in-gray-1251708?&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=1o1&scid=scplp1251708&sc_intid=1251708&cm_mmc=PLA-GG-_-PTC_P_SUP_PLA-GG_FY17_SCShopping-Branded-_-Non+VIP-Branded-_-58700003751703094&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos={adpos}&scid=scplp1251708&sc_intid=1251708&kwid=p29415747405&device=t&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4_zVBRDVARIsAFNI9eCc07aFz7JZXVCmkXPXME5TUcSRQOBZHvCXSF1uAesJZ5HzrKe2o6gaAkMxEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds


And let's not forget the fav grocery store paper bag !
I fold down the front and out a big hole in the bottom side for play!
 
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Monica

Monica

Senior Lairian
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Joined
Mar 28, 2018
Messages
601
Points
198
Catzzzmeow said:
@Monica Welcome to Sphynxlair!

You have a great list going. I can see you have been researching and that it awesome.

1. As far as food goes we always started with what our breeder used as well and then slowly switched over to another food. We currently use Merrick grain free wet with 2 of ours the other is on prescriptive food for urinary issues.

2. We also started with kitten attract for litter

3. We use front entry litter boxes when they were tiny and then transitioned to top loading and a litter robot. No dogs here, so I can only imagine how frustrating you must get knowing your pup likes “tootsie rolls” ugh.

4. We have had best luck with carpeted cat trees. We found it holds up better than the other materials. Be sure it is sturdy and not easily tip-able a wide base usually helps.

5. Here is a poll on shampoos. I love D’Grease What product do you bathe your sphynx with?

6. Da Bird is a must lol. I just make sure any toys with strings and or feathers are used only during supervised playtime. Laser toys are super at tiring them out too.

7. I use the type that looks like scissors.

8. We only use clothes when going to the vet. We are getting a baby in May, maybe we will do clothes with this one since hubby works from home now. I always feared them getting hung up on something. Lots of sites on Etsy for clothes.

9. Suggestions:

Get exfoliant gloves for bath time...they help you get a better grip and helps get the dirt off easily.

L-lysine...many stress going to their forever homes ants get upper respiratory infections. Lysine is a great booster. We actually use it morning and night on ours wet food. L-Lysine for Sphynx Cats

Blankets and lots of them lol.

Thank you so much for recognizing this community is very different from others. Every member takes pride in that we try to keep the bashing and bullying out as best possible. Every member deserves to feel happy and excited about their babies.
Click to expand...
Gracias! I may be new at this, but I feel confident with all this great help!
 
Yoda mom

Yoda mom

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