 Care
and Feeding |
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At Wyld Illuzions we are very particular about our feeding
program.
Our cats and kittens are fed on Mazuri. A dry feed prepared by
Purina
for the wild cats (large and small) at our zoos. We struggled for
years with foods that just didn't measure up. We used IAMS,
Science
Diet, Nutro, Felidae, and Fromm to name a few. All with some
degree of success
but none completely worked out. Either the cats didn't like it,
the
company changed the formula, or our retailer was suddenly unable to get
it from their distributor; and, none of them produced a truly formed
stool
in our Bengals.
Often the difference between the cat that gets sick and the one that doesn't is their general overall health and whether or not they have the immunity to ward off what they are exposed to. Some of this is genetic, but much of it is determined by the their general health and the amount of stress they are under at the time of exposure. Obviously this involves more than just food. It encompasses the environment, available fresh water, fresh air, sunshine and exercise to name just a few. We had heard about Mazuri but thought that it was probably hard to get and must be expensive. When we discovered it was available near us for the same cost, or less than we had been paying for many of the other brands, we gave it a try. And, walah!!! Formed stools! And, the cats all seem to enjoy it and are thriving on it. Could you ask for anything more????
I'm always happy to send you a sample of NuVet (which can be ordered directly from the company) and a sample comes with any of our new kitties. To learn more about Mazuri, here is a web site you can go to, put in your zip code and it will tell you where you can purchase it near you. The company will also send you a video and sample if you request it. (Mazuri comes in 25 lb bags instead of the 20 lbs. that most cat foods come in.) I realize this seems like a lot to buy at once for just one or two kitties but, believe me it is well worth continuing to use and you don't have to buy it so often. It will stay fresh in an airtight container. |
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At Wyld Illuzion the care of your future kitten starts with the
selection
of the parents. We select based on health & temperament, as
well
as beauty and the standard. We do not use queens who have
difficulty
giving birth (i.e.: C-section) or who are not good moms (can't be
trusted
not to kill kittens or who do not give full care and love to their
babies).
We also do not use cats that get sick and can't "kick" the illness, or
get sick frequently. Extra nutrition is given to our queens during their pregnancies and early parturition. We believe in aiding nature but not in interfering with "her". We do not stop our queens from eating the placentas, and we do not interfere with the natural mother - kitten relationship by arbitrarily weaning the kittens to suit our time schedule. The kittens are with their mothers and weaned at their own speed and readiness unless something like the health of mom takes a priority. (Also see: "Why We Wait to Place Until 12-17 Weeks".) At about (each kitten and litter is different) 4-5 weeks the kittens are offered a mixture of kitten weaning formula and baby cereal with baby lamb added. They are moved from this as they seem ready to the Mazuri dry that has been soaked in the weaning formula with a little Nutro Maxx Kitten canned food added, until they are able to eat with the adults. (This process usually takes about 6 - 9 weeks.) Our babies get their first vaccination in the form of Heska Bivalent at 3 weeks, their first 3-1 kitten shots at 6 weeks and again at 9 weeks and again at 12 weeks (if they were still nursing for the first shot). Cats that will be bred, shown, or will be shipped are additionally vaccinated at 16 weeks for Rabies. |
