How We Raise Our Kittens

We believe the foundation of a confident, healthy kitten begins at birth. Our program is centered around giving each baby a secure, loving start — one rooted in trust, routine, and hands-on care.

🏡 Nursery Setup & Environment

Our expecting mommas begin in the dining room and come and go as they please. About a week before their due date, they’re moved into the nursery — a cozy, temperature-controlled space designed for quiet and comfort.

Each queen is kenneled inside the nursery. This isn’t a cage in the sad sense — it’s a safe place that feels like home. We leave the doors open unless privacy is needed, and the queens can come and go. If a momma doesn’t feel secure, she may try to move her babies, and that’s a no-go. This setup helps everyone relax, including us — we wouldn’t sleep otherwise.

Our studs have their own temperature-controlled “man cave” — a converted one-car garage made just for them. It keeps things peaceful, since unneutered males can’t be housed together.

🐣 Milestones, Not Deadlines

Kittens hit certain milestones before they graduate to new areas. First, they begin on a soft pull-out bed. When they can jump up, they can begin exploring the floor. Once they learn where food, water, and litter are in the nursery — and after their first vaccine — they can venture beyond the baby gate into the main house.

Throughout all of this, they’re raised around our other cats, our Catahoulas, our visiting Corgi, and children. It’s a house full of love, sound, and real life — and that’s how they learn confidence.

🪺 Crate Training & Comfort

Crates are introduced early and set up with soft bedding — sometimes an open box, sometimes a cozy cave. We use reusable, moisture-resistant liners, and place food and water at the front. Pine litter goes in a special sifting box in the back. If needed, we even add pool noodles (wrapped in duct tape) to block any gaps for safety. Crates can be covered for extra privacy. Some queens are happy together, and we may let those few out at the same time — but always with supervision.

🍽 Feeding & Weaning

We feed all of our cats the same way — moms, babies, young adults, and even our pets. Everyone gets the same quality nutrition, because we believe a healthy diet should start early and never stop.

Our go-to is our homemade raw recipe, made fresh in batches and packed with what they need to thrive. We portion it into one-pound deli cups and thin it out with warm water until it’s almost soup — with a squirt of orange fish juice for flavor and added nutrients. It’s comforting, easy to digest, and full of hydration. Usually made in 30 lb batches: immediate-use food goes in the fridge, and the rest is frozen.

We usually see kittens naturally following momma around 4 to 5 weeks — dipping their noses in, learning to lap, and slowly weaning. If you prefer a ready-made option, we recommend Viva Raw as a trusted substitute. You can also cook meat and serve it with the juices.

Dry food: Wildology Climb is always available for anyone who wants something crunchy.

🪵 Litter Box Setup

We use pine pellets from Tractor Supply in either regular pans or our favorite sifting system (one with a sifter, two base pans, and raised legs). Pine doesn’t stick to paws, there’s no clumping, and the scent control is amazing. When wet, pellets break into soft sawdust — the sifter lets that fall through and leaves dry poops behind for easy removal.

🧼 Our Cleaning Routine:

• Dump used litter into compost/fill pile (great for yard holes!)
• Wipe the pan with a Lysol disinfectant wipe
• Air dry, then rotate the spare pan in

Kittens are introduced to the litter box as soon as they can walk. Momma teaches them — we just supervise and cheer them on!

🎒 What Kittens Go Home With

All of our kittens are:

• Fully vetted and checked by our trusted vet
• FeLV/FIV tested (1 kitten per litter)
• Vaccinated with 2 doses of core vaccines (modified live, dual-calici)
• Microchipped with a Fi Nano chip
• Dewormed and flea-treated
• Sent home with a 4-year genetic health guarantee
• Spay/neuter contract
• Pedigree + health record (printed, not digital)
• Registration paperwork — once proof of spay/neuter is provided
• 30 days free Trupanion insurance (activate before go-home)
• Starter kit with food, blanket, toys, and a Viva Raw coupon

New families also receive access to our Kitten Parent Guide — viewable and downloadable online — with everything from care tips to food instructions. And we’re always here for support even after they’re home.

🛁 Hygiene & Handling

We start trimming nails as soon as kittens can jump up onto things without needing to climb. This teaches good boundaries early and gets them used to gentle handling. They’re also desensitized to being picked up, checked over, and exposed to regular grooming tasks — so their future vet (and you!) will thank us.

🐾 Socializing Through Play

Kittens are allowed out for playtime once they've reached the right milestones. While they’re out, momma is either playing with them or taking a break. Afterward, they’re always returned to their safe crate area for naps and rest.

🚗 Pickup, Delivery & Transport Options

We know life can be busy, so we offer several ways for you to bring your kitten home safely — with as little stress as possible for both of you.

✨ Local Pickup

You’re always welcome to come to us. Pickup is by appointment only.

🚙 Meet-Up Options

We’re happy to meet within a reasonable driving distance. Depending on the distance, there may be a small fee to help cover fuel and time. This is a great option for families who want to avoid a full-day drive but still want that personal handoff.

✈️ Working with Transporters

If you’re farther away, we are also a flight nanny and still hand off the kitten personally. If you’d prefer to use a different nanny, that’s okay too. Either way, we’ll make sure your kitten is safe and secure every step of the way.

Note: We do not ship cargo — ever. It’s too cold, too impersonal, and not the kind of start we want for our kittens.