questions about a new sphynx

[beccerzz11]

I just have a few questions as a first time mom!

1. Is there ANY air freshener that is non-toxic to these babies?

2. Currently he is being free fed solid gold grain free high protein so he has food throughout the day and then is being given 2x a day Darwin’s natural pet food raw chicken. Is this ok? If not, how can I switch it?

3. How should I prepare for his first vet trip??

Thanks for help

 

[carakitty]

Air Freshener- We use the Febreeze Air Effects (I think that's what it's called) in my house and have for quite a while, and have seen no problems. I would suggest not spraying it directly near the cat, use it in a well-ventilated room, and leave the door open for a bit if you can if you are using it in a room where the door is usually closed

Food- I don't know anything about the Darwin's food, but I've read lots of good things about the Solid Gold in the past. Never tried that brand with our cats though. Sorry, not much help there. I'm of the mind if something works well then don't change it. I have read on here about needing to give the dry food time to digest before feeding raw. We have an excellent section on here about feeding raw, check it out and post follow up questions on the threads in that section.

Vet Trip- I am a strong supporter of positive reinforcement with kennels. We've always used the hard plastic kennels and leave them out all the time with a comfy blanket inside and will toss a couple treats inside from time to time. Leaving the kennel out helps to desensitize the cats to it which can help ease the stress of the vet visit. Feliway makes a spray which I've used inside the kennel too. Write down a list of any questions you have. Have the vet take a good listen of the heart and lungs for sure. Depending on the age of your Sphynx, maybe a blood panel, urine, and poo samples may be in order as preventive measures as well.

I hope this helps and I"m sure others will chime in also!

 

[Anansi]

That food sounds fine to me and if it works for him and doesn't upset his stomach i would stick with it. we feed Orpheus royal canin dry and wet and Purina pro plan and it works great for him thats what the breeder fed so we decided to just stick with it.
And I totally agree with Cara kitty about leaving the carrier/kennel out .We have his in the living room and he loves to sit in it haha and is never afraid but we have started using just a harness for his vet visits as he prefers it over the carrier.

 

[Toa and Ross]

@beccerzz11 welcome to sphynxlair.

His food sounds good to me. And when he does good on it, I would keep him on this food.

I use air freshener that you can plug in and don't spray.

It can be a good idea to go the vet for a meeting so your boy can get used to the vet. I have a stroller and go for walks with my cats to different situation. This way they don't associate the stroller with the vet

 

[Deleted member 14512]

Not a hundred percent sure about the first two, but with Ollie I use a mesh carrier and sometimes use what I call (and what it might really be called) a "bubble backpack". It's a backpack where you can carry your cat around in.

I only use the "Bubble backpack" when he is going for a checkup. He doesn't feel stressed in it and I don't want him thinking that the being in the "bubble backpack" means vet. (Because I take him for walks in it.)
When it's an emergency, I use the carrier. There are many reasons I do that. Sanitary reasons at most.

Hope everything goes well with your first sphynx kitten! They are quite a real charm! :cat:

 

[Yoda mom]

You can also bring sanitizing wipes amd a towel - I do a quick wipe of the vet table amd then put a towel om the table with the carrier . This way when they come out of the carrier they are on my towel not a surface thst other animals have been on -

I always use a hard plastic crate - I cover it with a towel ok 3 sides - makes for a comfy cave for tramsport amd waiting at the vets