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.
Our goal is always to raise healthy, well-socialized kittens who are prepared to transition confidently into their new homes.
🏡 Maternity & Kitten Setup
Our queens live in our home with us. Our bedroom serves as our maternity and kitten area, allowing expecting queens and young kittens to remain close to us where they can be regularly observed and cared for.
We normally have no more than two queens in this area at one time, with a maximum of three. Approximately 10 days before their due date, expecting queens are settled into this space so they have time to become comfortable before their kittens arrive.
The room is temperature controlled and equipped with air conditioning and an air purifier to help maintain a comfortable environment.
Think of this area as our maternity space — warm, calm, protected, and located right within our home so queens and kittens receive regular hands-on care and attention.
As the kittens grow and become more mobile, they receive supervised exercise and playtime outside their immediate bedding and kennel areas.
If queens get along well, kittens may interact and play together. If personalities do not mix well, litters are given separate exercise times so everyone remains safe and comfortable.
Kittens may begin short periods of supervised play around 8 weeks of age. As they become older and are able to confidently locate food, water, and litter boxes, they are gradually given additional supervised access to the rest of our home.
After playtime, kittens return to their maternity area, which remains their secure home base until they are developmentally ready for greater independence.
Our Breeding Males
Our intact breeding males have their own temperature-controlled area in our converted one-car garage. Because intact males cannot safely be housed together, each male has his own individual kennel space.
The area is maintained with heating and air conditioning as appropriate for the season and is equipped with air purification. Each male receives regular individual exercise, enrichment, interaction, and time outside his kennel in the secured garage area.
🐣 Milestones, Not Deadlines
Kittens grow and develop at their own pace. Rather than rushing a schedule, we focus on developmental milestones that help build confident, well-adjusted cats.
Kittens begin in their bedding area with their mother. As they grow stronger and more coordinated, they begin exploring their maternity area during supervised exercise and playtime.
As they learn where food, water, and litter boxes are located, they continue gaining confidence and independence.
Throughout this time, they are exposed to normal household sounds and activity, including television, vacuum cleaners, everyday conversation, other cats, our Catahoula dogs, and family members. This exposure helps them grow into social, confident companions who adapt easily to new homes.
🍽 Feeding & Weaning
Feeding is tailored to the age, life stage, and needs of our cats.
Our queens and kittens are raised primarily on homemade meat meals, prepared in batches and portioned into containers for freshness.
Once kittens develop teeth, they are able to eat the meat mixture easily. Water may be added for additional hydration or when kittens are first learning to eat from a plate.
Kittens usually begin showing interest in their mother's food around 4–5 weeks of age, gradually learning to lap and wean naturally.
Dry food is available 24/7. The specific dry food used may vary and will be identified in the kitten's go-home paperwork.
Our breeding males are provided commercial dry cat food with individual food and water systems that are checked daily.
🪵 Litter Box Setup
We use pine pellets from Tractor Supply in our standard litter boxes with a sifting design.
When wet, pine pellets break down into sawdust, which falls through the sifter while solid waste remains on top for easy removal.
In addition to the standard litter boxes used in our maternity and kitten area, we also use a robot litter box in the main house with Tidy Cats Lightweight litter.
Kittens are introduced to litter boxes as soon as they begin walking. Their mother usually teaches them quickly — we simply supervise and support the process.
🎒 What Kittens Go Home With
Our kittens typically go home with:
- A veterinarian wellness check
- Two core vaccines administered by the breeder
- Pedigree and health records (digital and/or printed)
- A go-home bag with familiar items to help ease the transition
Items included in the kitten package may vary depending on the kitten's age, size, veterinary timing, and circumstances at the time of pickup.
Kittens will require their third core vaccine at approximately 16 weeks of age, which will be completed by the new owner and their veterinarian.
Individual care items may vary depending on the kitten's age, size, and timing of pickup.
🚗 Pickup & Transportation
Pickup is always welcome and scheduled by appointment.
When picking up your new kitten, please consider the weather conditions during travel. Depending on the season, your kitten may benefit from a small warmer inside the carrier or a blanket covering the carrier to help maintain a comfortable temperature.
For families located farther away, we can also assist with transportation arrangements. Transportation is handled personally by members of our family so kittens travel safely and are handed off directly to their new families.
For air transportation, a carrier will be provided and included in the transportation cost. The new owner keeps this carrier for the kitten's continued travel.
For local pickup or ground transport, owners should bring an appropriate carrier for their kitten.
🐾 Release Policy
For the health, development, and socialization of our kittens, no kitten will be released to a new home prior to 12 weeks of age.
This allows kittens to complete important developmental milestones, continue learning from their mother and littermates, and transition more successfully into their new families.
Exceptions are not made for early pickup.
Page last updated: September 2026
