Mokave Pet Parent:

"Samara is the most loving cat... She comes over and hugs and kisses me at least once every hour. She's always underfoot and is very intrusive when I am trying to work... in other words the bonding is going great!"

Jenn C.   Endicott, NY

First Day:  The Bonding Process

Your Mokave cat or kitten has just left everything it has ever known to move in with you. It will be looking for comfort and security to replace what it had here at my cattery. That's why it so important for your new kitty to have limited contact with everything except its new pet parent. Mokave cats need to be fully bonded with you before being introduced to any of your other family members and especially before meeting any other pets in the house. Otherwise, they could bond with your other pets first and then have no incentive to bond with you!

IMPORTANT!  The biggest mistake people make with my kittens is rushing the bonding process. Mokave cats and kittens need time to connect with you, learn to love you, and trust you. Give my kittens at least a few days to accomplish this; my young adults may require a week or more.

How to Create a Bond Between You and Your New Mokave Kitten

1. Upon arrival, place your kitten in a small, quiet room (a bathroom is ideal) with food, water, and a litter box. Leave it alone for 10 to 15 minutes so it has time to adjust to all the new smells and sounds, drink some water, and use the litter box. Then enter and offer your kitten a bite of canned food or cooked poultry. Use a toy or feather wand to play with your kitten, talk softly to it, and gently pet it so your new baby can relax and learn to trust you.

2. Please do not introduce your Mokave kitten to everyone the first night it arrives. Even if kitty seems to be adjusting well, do not overstimulate it. Like toddlers, these kittens need lots of rest so be a good pet parent and look out for your baby's welfare.

3. Food is important to the bonding process as you want your Mokave cat or kitten to connect the pleasure of eating (and playing) with the pleasure of your company. However, your kitty may refuse to eat for the first day or two. A wild animal shuts down its digestive and reproductive systems under stress, and an unfamiliar environment and new family, no matter how loving, can be percieved as stressful by your new arrival. Don't worry. Simply give kitty a bowl of clean water, some fresh dry food, and tempt it with a spoonful or so of canned food or cooked meat. Mokave cats are nocturnal eaters and will often consume their dry food after everyone has gone to bed. By the third day, your kitty should be eating again; if not, give me a call and I'll tell you what to do next.

Mokave cats and kittens are not destructive but they are very active and playful. Therefore, it's a good idea to put away any breakables until your new baby learns the layout of its new home. It's not necessary to declaw these animals as they are friendly towards children and other pets and won't ruin your furnishings as long as they have a place to climb such as a tall cat tree. See Cat Trees & Toys.

Lincoln

Mokave Pet Parent:

"The boys are doing great! Gunther - our first Mokave cat - took to us so quickly, but Lincoln and Louis took a little longer... having let them out of the bathroom too quickly when we got them. My husband and I think that they had each other to bond and hang out with, and didn't need us for attention as much as Gunther did. Nonetheless, they have come around."

Amy & Jason K.   Priest River, ID

Louis

Feeding Your Mokave Kitten

Most Mokave cats enjoy splashing around in water. Because of this, it's difficult to keep them from playing in their water bowls, which is why you should wash their bowls and provide fresh water EVERY DAY. Water feeders or fountains are not good ideas for these cats as they will just knock them over and then have a blast watching you clean up the mess!

Mokave kittens require more nutrients than other kittens. Adult cat food does not contain enough protein, taurine, and fat for the needs of my kittens. For maximum growth, keep your new Mokave baby on kitten food for a year or longer, but don't let it get fat. You can always call me if you're not sure when to switch over to adult food.

Feeding Instructions

1. Feed only good-quality, dry kitten food to your Mokave kitten. I prefer Purina Pro Plan for Kittens as it has no preservatives, but I also use Purina One for Healthy Kittens (in the teal & purple bag). Both are premium formulas that are moderately priced, easy to find, and have a taste my cats enjoy.

Most high-quality dry food should be OK as long as it is made for kittens, but please don't buy common grocery store brands as they don't have the quality ingredients necessary for Mokave kittens. If you do switch foods, gradually replace the old food with the new so your kitten won't get an upset tummy. Please Note: your kitten may not grow to its maximum size if placed on a different food.

2. As a supplement, you can also add the contents of one capsule of probiotics such as Acidophilus, one Digestive Enzymes capsule or crushed tablet, and one half of a crushed L-Lysine tablet to two tablespoons of watered-down canned food once or twice a week to aid digestion and build a healthy immune system.

3. Feed about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of dry food as often as your kitten wants to eat. Don't leave a bunch of dry food out all day because it will go stale and lose its smell. (The stronger the smell, the more cats like it.) Leaving out 1/2 cup of dry food at night is OK since Mokave cats and kittens are night eaters.

A little diluted canned cat food can be used as a treat since the water content will keep your kitty hydrated. Don't do this every day (unless your kitten is going through a growth spurt) or kitty will train you to feed it only canned food, which will stunt its growth.

IMPORTANT! Don't feed your kitten table scraps or cow milk as it could get diarrhea and NEVER feed it chocolate, onions, garlic, tomatoes, raw potatoes, grapes or raisins as these food items are toxic to cats (some are also toxic to dogs).

4. Starting at about 5 months of age, your kitten will go through growth spurts about once a month. At this time, it may appear lean and bony. To give your Mokave kitten the fuel it needs during this time, feed it my Kitten Growth Cocktail (see recipe below):

Mokave Pet Parents:

"Chita is eating very well. And he drinks his water, when he is not running through it and his food tray. He is very active and so fast that he sometimes just looks like a blur as he runs through the rooms. My vet knew immediately that my kitten was a Mokave; he looked at Chita and said he had a beautifully formed mouth. Chita has a fantastic coat and coloration; his fur is soft as mink. We gave him a little bath with some warm water."

Nick K.   Clifton, NJ

Mokave Kitty Cocktail
For Kitten Growth

I also add the following supplements to the Kitty Cocktail (no more than 3 times a week) for maximized nutrition. These items can be found at your local drug store, health food store, or online.

Blend well (should look like a thin milk shake) and serve 2-3 times a week for general growth. Serve every morning while your kitten is going through a growth spurt. If kitty's stool gets too soft or runny, cut out the KMR powder and/or give me a call.

Mokave Pet Parent:

"Khensu downed the Kitty Cocktail with no problem. Just like I did with Amun, I give that to him as needed. I see Khensu snacking on a routine basis, so I think he's eating plenty. Jim and I are filling their dish with kitten food several times a day. Both are eating when they feel the need. Amun is a really good weight and all muscle."

Deborah K.   Richmond, VA

Cat Trees & Toys

Mokaves are very fast and can climb like monkeys, so it is imperative that you have a sturdy cat tree for them. Since they are vertical climbers; the taller the tree, the more they will like it. I start my kittens out on a small cat condo as soon as they can walk, and then gradually increase the height as they get older. By the time they are 6 to 8 weeks old they can climb a 7' cat tree in less than a second!

As a Mokave Pet Parent, you are welcome to purchase the same type of tree I use here in the cattery. See: Cat Trees for more information and free shipping!

My cats also love to sleep in hammocks. You can find the best ones in pet stores where they sell rabbit and ferret supplies.

Mokaves of all ages love to play and will often fetch a toy for you to throw for them. Plastic jingle balls and other light-weight toys are usually their preferred choice. Another favorite is a feather wand, the type attached to a string and pole -- Mokaves go crazy for those! As their natural birding instinct kicks in, they will leap high into the air to retrieve the elusive birdie. This is cat fishing at its best!

IMPORTANT:  Always supervise your Mokave when using feather wands, furry mice, or toys with yarn or metalic strips as the kittens will often chew on and swallow these items, which can cause internal blockages or lacerations!

When playtime is over, pick up the toy and put it safely away until next time. This will also keep your kitty from becoming bored with the toy. It's OK to leave out toys that don't contain feathers, fur, metalic strips, or string.

Mokave Pet Parent:

"Jack is non-stop! Always curious and looking for something new to try out. He uses his cat tree quite a bit, and I have been teaching him not to scratch the furniture by telling him 'No' and then showing him his scratching post."

Kitty N.   Portland, OR

Mokave Cats & Litter Boxes

Mokave cats and kittens are trained to use litter boxes just like domestic cats. Mokave cats are very clean but they will not use a litter box if it is in a high traffic or noisy area, or if the box too small or full of dirty litter. Always clean the litter box with a bleach-water solution before doing a complete litter change and add the new litter when the kitty is not around to avoid too much dust inhalation.

In big or multi-story homes, use two litter boxes until your new kitty learns the layout of your house. Keep kitty dishes far away from the litter box to avoid the kitten contaminating it's food and water supply (which can cause diarrhea). As your Mokave kitten grows, it may be necessary to switch from a litter box to a larger container. My designer breeds often prefer a large, lidless, plastic storage box as it provides more room for the bigger cats to maneuver.

I prefer EverClean litter as it has virus-killing properties that help keep kitty healthy. My other favorite is Arm & Hammer clumping litter. Both do a great job of controling odor and are easy to scoop. Please buy Unscented as your kitty's nose can be overwhelmed by the perfumed kind.

If you have the patience, you can teach your Mokave kitten to use your bathroom toilet! However, some cats will only pee in the toilet so you might still need a litter box. As you kitty matures, it will outgrow a normal litter box. I use clear plastic totes or plastic storage boxes approximately 11-12" deep, 17-18" wide and 22-24" long. You can find these at any Wal-Mart, K-Mart, or Target store.

Keeping the litter box clean is important to your kitten's health. It only takes 60 seconds to clean a box every day, so no excuses! Mokave cats are very clean by nature and won't want to use a dirty, smelly box anymore than you would want to use a dirty, smelly toilet. A heavy duty pooper scooper from your local pet store will last a lifetime and do the job quickly.

If your kitten does make a "mistake" somewhere, it's easy to get rid of the smell by simply cleaning the area and then spraying the spot with a live enzyme odor eater. The spot has to stay damp for about 24 hours so the enzymes can actually eat the odor-causing molecules and remove the smell permanently.

IMPORTANT!  Don't try to teach your Mokave cat to use the toilet outside. These cats have been known to revert back to the wild and disappear for good... or be stolen for their beauty.

Mokave Pet Parent:

"We met them at the airport; it actually went very smooth... They already knew what a kitty litter box was for; that was nice."

Neill L.   Oceanside, CA

Bathing Your Kitten in 3 Minutes

Mokave cats and kittens are bathed every month or two to keep their fur soft and sweet-smelling. These animals enjoy feeling clean after their bath and will get quite playful afterwards! The normal temperature for a cat is between 101 - 102.2°F. Normal human temperature is 98.6°F so bath water that feels warm to you actually feels cool to your cat. This is the main reason people have problems bathing their animals. Would you wash your hair in a cold shower?

Another problem is sticky, soapy fur that has not been properly rinsed. This can cause itchy "hot" spots that your pet will want to lick and scratch. To avoid this, use a quality kitten or human shampoo that has been diluted with water to make it easier to wash out of kitty's fur. Never use dog shampoo as dog fur has a different pH than cat fur. Your kitten's sense of smell is about 14 times stronger than your own so avoid shampoos with strong fragrances.

If you follow the instructions below, bathing your kitten should take about three minutes and be painless for both of you.

  1. Turn water on low to avoid scaring your kitten with the noise of rushing water. Don't wet kitty yet.
  2. Let water heat up until it is VERY warm (not hot) on your skin.
  3. Place your kitten in a deep sink or bathtub that has a hand-held shower head.
  4. Quickly wet kitty, starting behind the ears, working down to the tail. Do not wet the ears or face.
  5. Wet underside of kitty, tail, and all four legs. Softly praise your kitten as you do this.
  6. Place a dime-sized drop of diluted shampoo on your hands and rub them together.
  7. Gently stroke kitty from neck to tail being careful not to get shampoo into kitty's face or ears.
  8. Thoroughly rinse your kitten from back-of-head to tip-of-tail.
  9. Quickly pass a little water between the ear towards kitty's face. Kitty will clean its own face.
10. Drain water from kitty by gently squeezing its legs, body, and tail.
11. Wrap your kitten in a big warm towel and cuddle.

At this point, my cats seem to go into a trance for about two minutes. Now is the time to trim your kitten's nails and clean its ears!

Mokave Pet Parent:

"Khensu had his first bath here and didn't complain at all... Amun had his bath yesterday and cried the whole time as if he were being tortured. They are like night and day as far as their personalities."

Deborah K.   Richmond, VA

Trimming Your Kitten's Claws

A cat's claw can grow so long that it actually curves back towards its paw, causing discomfort when walking. A long claw also is more likely to snag on clothing or carpets. Nail trimming should be done once or twice a month, depending upon the growth of the nail. If the claws become too long and sharp, playtime can become painful for both of you!

Please don't twist or pull on kitty's toes. Also, it is better to trim a claw too long than to cut it too short as clipping the nail too close to the paw can cut the quick or nerve ending of the nail -- ouch! Once this happens, your kitten will be unlikely to cooperate with you as it will fear getting hurt again. Never use human nail clippers or scissors as they can split the nail. I prefer these small, 3" nail trimmers found at Wal-Mart and most pet stores.

1. For best results, clip nails immediately after bathing or when kitty is relaxed after a meal or nap.
2. If possible, have someone hold kitty in a loose towel with all four feet facing down.
3. Hold a front paw and gently press on the pad and top of the foot to extend the claws.
4. Make sure that you are praising kitty for cooperating. This helps to distract the kitten.
5. Place a small, sharp claw trimmer just under the tip of a claw and clip.
6. Repeat the above step for each nail on that paw including the dew claw (inside claw).
7. Do the other front paw.
8. Check back paws and trim as needed.

Mokave Pet Parent:

"This is how my daughter holds Isis so I can clip her nails. I have found that using a baby clipper works best - a tip from my vet - on these little guys. You are able to see the tips better and the whole process goes safer and faster."

Kim Z.   Brookfield, IL

Cleaning Your Kitten's Ears

There are 32 individual muscles in your kitten's ear, enabling one ear to move independently of the other. Cats can use their ears to communicate emotion. For example, when angry or frightened, your kitten will lay its ears back along the side of its head. It's a good idea to check your kitten's ears every week or so, especially if you have a Mokave cat with curled ears as they often collect dust and dirt like magnets! Never put anything sharp into your kitten's ears or press too hard or too deeply as you might damage the ear drum.

1. Clean ears after bathing kitty and trimming its nails, or when kitty is relaxed after a meal or nap.
2. If possible, have someone hold kitty in a loose towel or on the couch.
3. Hold ear and gently swab the inside with a slightly damp Q-tip (preferred brand) or cotton ball.
4. Continue to clean the nooks and crannies until all visible areas are clean.
5. Praise kitty for cooperating; your tone of voice will help keep your kitten calm and happy.

If the ears are exceptionally dirty and your kitten is scratching or shaking its ears, it may have ear mites, which can easily be treated by your vet.

"Thank you for the pet care tips on your website. It really helped with the bath time, nail clipping, etc. They are such simple things to do."

Dani C.

Traveling With Your Mokave Kitten

Many people want to know the best way to take their Mokave on the road with them. Depending upon the size and type of vehicle you have and how long you will be gone, I recommend the following setup:

* Collapsible black pen (Walmart)
* Attachable hammock (PetSmart)
* Litter pan, litter, scooper, and disposable bags
* Towel or warm throw to cover pen
* Two small dishes for food and water
* Enough dry food for the trip (in an air-tight container)

Add in kitty's favorite toy and you're ready to go! My Mokaves will simply climb into the hammock and let the motion of the car rock them to sleep. A sprinkle of catnip in the hammock makes it even more appealing!

Do not feed your kitten much, if any, food while on the road as it could get car sick and throw up. Offer fresh, cool water when you stop to rest. Feed kitty well at night or upon arrival at your destination.