ForestWind Siberian Cats

Just a note to explain this wonderful love letter: Favst is the kitten and Papucho is the husband, the letter comes to us from the Kitten Mama The writer expresses so well the joys of adooting a ForestWind Siberian kitten that we present it here in its entirety,  Enjoy!

Warmly,

ForestWind Siberians

My Dear,

It has been such a busy day for me and I am upset that I am not with Favst until a while later.  I had appointments all day long and I still have to do a Comparable Market Analysis before I can go home and hug and kiss him non-stop.  He loves it!!  My Papucho said that yesterday when he came home, we both first kiss and hug the doggies and then we go with Favst.  Anyway, my Papucho says that when he went in to the room, Favst was on his tree and when he saw him, he jumped out, ran to him and just dropped on the floor and put his feet up so he could pet him.  My Papucho was thrilled!!  He told me, "Yolita, Favst conquered my heart at the airport!  It was instantaneously!  

Then when I enter the room, Favst runs towards me like if had seen me the moment he was born.  Once he sees me, he doesn't want me to let him go at all.  If I put him down, he jumps back on me or puts his paws on my legs so I can lift him.  He is adorable!  So lovable!  His personality is unbelievable!  When my sister, Miriam comes every morning to see him, he plays balls with her and he is lovable with her too!  It's just amazing!  That is the personality that we had to wait for since November. Kate was so good at knowing from the beginning that he was the one.  When Favst was little that she said she had her eyes on him?  She is also amazing!!  

We had also though about the fact that when the time comes, he will be presented to the doggies one by one.  I see the doggies are very quiet and curious but are not jumpy or nervous despite being chihuahuas that have that temperament.

My Papucho just called me to ask me what time I am going home so he can put some fish in the oven, but of course, I asked him about Favst and he told, "Yolita, we don't even deserve this beautiful kitty!! he said that he deserved to go to a beautiful house because he is like out of this world!  He said that he is so incredibly sweet and that today when he walked in to room, Favst was on his tree asleep and when he saw him, he just totally put his feet up so he could pet him.  He is also in love! 

I believe in the transition period because I have seen that it is going so well.  I was telling my Papucho that when the doggies and he meet, they are going to hit it off.  They will love each other. Soon I will be sending you pictures of them.  

I am writing this to Kate again to give her an update of the beauty that she bred! She is an oustanding breeder! 

Anyway, I want to go home to see him (Favst),  but specially hug him.

Take care, 

Yoly

Exercising a cat can be as easy as tying a toy to a fishing pole and waving it around, or flicking a laser pointer around the room and have the cat chase it. But, if you want to get a bit fancier with your play and exercise times together...

 Can a Siberian Cat Learn Agility?

Many Siberians enjoy learning Agility.  Yes, felines are naturally agile, but in this case "Agility" means enticing a cat to run through, around, over and under a series of obstacles in a course.

You can create a feline agility course at home by setting up a series of obstacles and balances in an open area of your home.

Using a favourite teaser, get your Siberian to begin chasing it. Then lead her up and onto, or over, the first obstacle. As she becomes proficient at chasing the teaser onto or over the obstacle, slowly add more steps to the chase. She will quickly understand to chase the teaser up and over, around, and under, various obstacles in the course.

Do Siberians play fetch?

You bet!  Through experience, learn which small, light toys your Siberian will elect to chase and bat about rather than pounce on and kick or bite.  Having determined this, be sure that there is enough 'give' in the toy for her to grasp in her mouth to carry. Then the fun begins! Throw the toy a small way from you. Then when she goes to it, shake or rattle another toy in your hand to get her to come back to you. It may take several days or a week for her to begin to get the hang of it.

While many pet training books urge the use of food treats as training devices, it is best to avoid them when possible. Instead, substitute healthy food that she would normally be getting as part of one of her meals. Use calorie replacement, so if you are offering freeze dried chicken puffs as a training tool, slightly reduce the amount of food offered at that meal. Be sure not to overly reduce the meal, and to also take into consideration the caloric effect of a lot of exercise.

Or …

“One of the best ways to get a cat to exercise is to get a kitten,” Dr. Graves, DMV says. “Kittens are a pain in the neck. I can’t tell you how many times an owner has a cat losing weight, and they come in, and we can’t figure out why. Then I find out they got a kitten four months ago and, well, that’s the reason. Cats do well in groups. They play more; they tend to eat better.”

ForestWind Diiana and ForestWind Daniil, December 7, 2011

We often have more fun shopping or creating for our pets than for our humans. Of course it helps that our pets just LOVE what we get them, and are just as happy unwrapping as getting

One idea we learned about is to take an old dog's leash, and slice or cut the lead into strips. knot the strips - maybe tying some dangly ribbons onto one of the strips - and voilà — a cheap prey item that I’m sure your Siberians will love more than any store bought toy!

What are other great presents for pets? Anything that improves the quality of your Siberian's life, such as entrancing videos of wildlife. Too often we buy things that make our lives easier or more fun and then call them presents for our pets (Did Aunt Emma's cat really like those antler ears she put on her last year?).

The very best presents are boredom-relievers. Research has shown that boredom and stress play huge roles in the development of behavioral and other health problems in both dogs and cats. Don't have the funds this year for bird videos? You -Tube provides many cat intriguing options for your Siberians, such as this squirrel video or this selection of short, free videos.

Here Are More Present Ideas:

Nap & Nature for Cats: Buy a sturdy bird feeder and mount outside a window accessible to you Siberian. Place a Purr Pad (tm)up  in front of that sunny window. Now your Siberian has hours of cozy naps time interspersed with mental stimulation.

Exercise Mouse: Tie twine to a safe catnip or rattling mouse and scurry it across the floor in front of your Siberian. be sure to place in draw when not playing as twine and cats digestive systems are not a good match!

 Give your Natural Cat a Natural Spring! Siberian cats + water are a natural. We often get storeis from our kitten families of their Siberians love of running water - from playing IN the shower to asking for the faucet to be turned on to drink from, Siberians can't get enough. Play to this instinct + provide your Siberian with the liquid so essential for digestive health and to prevent urinary track crystals: give a fountain! Do not use plastic fountains - once scratched they harbor disease. Use a ceramic fountain, or this gorgeous stell one. Remember - Foundations should be refilled daily and cleaned every pther day, so you want one light enough to lift easily but heavy enough to stay put through Siberian play and drinking Here  is the new fountain we are gifting this year. It's stainless steel and we enjoy its sleek look and are anticipating the ease of lifting and cleaning

Finally, if you want to go "tried and true," get "da Bird" and a few repalcement teasers to attach to it. We've never met a cat who doesn't like "da Bird!"

Happy Holidays to you and yours from all of us

at Forest Wind Siberians

How does play develop in kittens?

by PawPrints and Purrs

Young kittens play using chasing and pouncing behaviors that seem to have their origin in predation. Predatory play is an integral part of feline play behavior and early learning. This play in a kitten is often aggressive and intense. Kittens begin social play as early as 5 weeks and continue at a high level until about 12-14 weeks. Object play develops at 7-8 weeks when kittens develop eye-paw co-ordination needed to deal with small moving objects. Full development of locomotion occurs between 10-12 weeks and as a kitten becomes more co-ordinated play may become more intense. Kittens are attracted to moving objects and will chase and stalk them. Play is an important component of kitten development, and proper play and exercise should be encouraged.

What is the best way to play with my Siberian Kitten?

Kittens use multiple objects as prey items when they play. This play behavior consists of stalking, pouncing, jumping, biting and clawing.

Small objects that can easily be moved with paws and grasped in the mouth or between the feet are often preferred. Avoid objects that are so small that they could be ingested and cause intestinal blockage.

Some kittens like to play with a linear object like string. This can cause severe intestinal dysfunction if eaten and should only be used under supervision.

Avoid playing with your hands as you interact with your kitten. The moving hand can become an appealing play object and attempts at correction could aggravate the situation. Although young kittens may not inflict damage, as it ages and continues to use the guardian’s body for play, serious injuries can result.

Fishing rod type toys and long wands with prey type toys (feather toys, catnip mice) on the end can be used to encourage play without contact with the guardian's body. Young kittens will often fetch small fleece toys, or bat them across the floor.

What problems can be associated with play?

There are a number of behavior problems may arise out of over-exuberant or inappropriate play. Some examples are cats that rambunctiously tear around the household, those that swat at or pounce on their humans (sometimes escalating into bites and injuries), and those that grasp, nip, bite or swat at their humans throughout the night.

How can over-exuberant play and play attacks toward people be prevented?

Before any attempts at stopping or interrupting the behavior are attempted, provide sufficient opportunities and outlets for play. Choose play toys and activities that are appealing to the individual cat. Since play that is initiated by the cat could potentially escalate into overly aggressive play, the guardian should select play toys and initiate all play sessions. Sessions initiated by the cat should be ignored or interrupted using a distraction device.

How can over-exuberant play and play attacks toward people be interrupted?

Although interruption devices may be effective, physical punishment should be avoided. First, pain can cause aggression. If you hit your cat you may increase the aggressive behavior. Second, painful punishment causes fear and guardian avoidance. Third, guardians who attempt to correct the playful aggression with physical contact may actually serve to reward the behavior.

For punishment to be effective it must be timed to occur while the behavior is taking place. Punishment should be feline (not canine) appropriate.

Noise deterrents are often effective in cats. For very young kittens, a hissing noise may deter excessive play behavior. The noise can be made by you, but if not immediately successful a can of compressed air (used for cleaning camera lenses) may be more effective and less likely to cause fear or retaliation.

Rare cats may need an even scarier noise (check with your Breeder or Vet before using these noise makers). Commercially available emergency alarms or air horns make extremely loud noises that will startle the cat and interrupt the behavior.

What is most important in using these techniques is the timing. You must have the noisemaker with you so that you can immediately administer the correction.

Remember: regular, active and fun play with your Siberian kitten and cat builds emotional bonds between you, keeps her healthy, and decreases the incidence of negative destructive behaviors - which are most usually an outcome of being bored or having too much unexpended energy.

10 Steps to take before allowing your Siberian kitten free roam at home:

1. Remove poisonous plants. (Check out our Health section on our Links page for a list of poisonous common plants!).

2. Tape or remove loose wires or cords. 

3. Secure or put away fragile art and glass pieces.

4. Ensure all windows are safely screened and not open more than two inches. Anything wider and a curious kitten can press against the screening and fall out. 

5. Evaluate placement of pets such as birds and fish to ensure their safety. 

6. Cover plugs with caps. 

7. Consider removing curtains or tying them up temporarily. 

8. Look at the house with an eye to where a curious kitten might exit and discuss with your human family how to protect your kitten from accidental escape. 

9. Register your precious Siberian's microchip in case she is accidentally let out of your home. The highest risk time will be immediately on first access to your home. Just because your Siberian is a kitten who has never shown an interest in getting outside doesn't mean that an open door and an inside commotion might not scare her into running out.

10. Be SURE to take initial introduction steps if you have household pets. Do not simply open the transition room and let all your pets mingle. While sometimes this will work, at others it sets up a lengthy animosity between your pets - horrible for them and difficutl for you.

Many ForestWind Kitten Families have found the craftsman made  “Cat Power Towers” a hit with their Siberians.  

We’ve just received notice that these wood and sisal Towers are on sale for almost 40% off.

A limited Supply of three tier “Cat Power Towers” is on sale for $ 250. Normally sold at almost $400 a piece, this 150 dollar off sale ends when the 50 remaining towers are sold.

Coupon code for Natural Finish Towers: Natural.

Coupon code for Early American Finish: EA

There are 10 Natural and 40 Early American Towers available.

Sale ends when Towers are sold. Coupon code is not case sensitive.

Update from Cat Power Tower: helpful note to folks who are registered customers of the Cat Power Tower Website: do NOT sign in. For some reason "signing in as a registered customer" erases the ability to use the coupon code.

The Early American finished 3 tier tower is pictured above.

http/www.catpowertowerstore.com/

Cats are hunters. In nature, cats who are good hunters eat well, and mama cats who are good hunters feed their kittens well. Being a good hunter = survival.

It is important to always separate overly aggressive play between your Siberians. It is easier to avert / distract from negative behavior, just as one does with children, rather than to let your Siberians develop negative behaviors that one tries to change when they are young adults. If the behavior starts, introduce active play with teasers and laser lights and small balls, etc. Often we see more aggressive play or activity when cats have extra energy they need to burn off. It's a good idea to be interacting actively with your Siberians several times a day to help them express it and burn it off. 

If unwanted behavior continues despite a positive play intervention, then separate your Siberians into boring time outs. For example, separate them into two different rooms for 15 minutes. When they come out, joyfully greet them and immediately introduce play with a laser light and run them about until they are panting.

Then if it starts again, a several hour separate time out is given (remember litterboxes and bowls of water for one of this length).When bringing them out, this time offer a distraction like a favourite food in separate dishes near each other. The physical promimity combined with a favoured treat emphasizes that "'good things' happen when we are together."

Last, if they come out and are still "arguing," this third time they are "all done" until the next day or until you get home from work - some logical, very extended time.

Siberians are bright and will quickly associate undesirable behaviors with undesirable (boring) results and begin to extinguish the unwanted aggression.

Happy Cuddling,

ForestWind Siberians

We love getting your love letters. Just wanted to share one we received tonight from a family who brought their new kitten home last weekend

"Once again, thank you soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much for letting us have Victoria (still don’t know if that name will stick, but the kids sure love it!!!).

She’s doing soooo great in terms of her ‘transitioning’.  I just can’t believe how different she is compared to Bijou’s personality!!  It’s true (being a gal), she is sooooo much more friendly, has NEVER shown ANY kind of aggression, and is soo easy to get to purr!!! 

She also definitely has a different sounding “meow” than Bijou…..she certainly ‘talks’ to us tons via she meowing….kind of like she’s complaining about how bored she is in her ‘safe room’. 

But, despite her standing at the door’s edge just waiting for me to open it so she can go exploring and the other key points that must be met (ie: doesn’t immediately run and hide when we enter the room, etc), I have told the kids and Arnold (who feels bad that she’s crying when we leave her room) that we must stick to our guns, perservere x1 week and ‘not rush’ the transition period. 

She eats, drinks and ‘eliminates’ well so that really has eased any worries that she’s not consuming food/water.  She plays with us, stands at my feet looking up meowing until I pick her up and even looks for me when I pass her off to one of the kids to hold. 

I’m VERY impressed with Matthew’s love and dedication!  (he’s the oldest). 

Matthew (and I am totally being honest!) gets up EVERY single morning at 6:30am (because I told him that 6:00am was too early!!), to go sit with Victoria, talk with her, sing to her, read to her, play with her, etc. 

Matthew even has scooped up her poops AND disposed of them ALL BY HIMSELF!!!!  Now that nearly made me fall off a chair when he revealed this very responsible action to us!  I just can’t believe how ‘grown up’ Matthew is acting now that Victoria is in our home!   What a positive influence she has had in only a matter of days!!!!!!!

Nathalie"

Snuggly boy kittens available to go home now.

Next available reservations are for Winter Kittens

Normally we put kitty love letters in the testimonials section, but testimonials give very limited space, and this is too much fun to read to truncate it. A bit of background: New kitten mommy Ellen made her second trip to Buffalo, this time to pick up her babies. Here is her story of travelling back to California and their settling in. Additionally, I mixed up my days and spent two hours Tuesday at the airport with the kittens wondering why Ellen wasn't there to meet us - after reaching her via telephone it was clear I was there the day BEFORE her arrival, lol!

"Oh Kate, I’m so sorry you were stuck at the airport yesterday.[[[[ Valentine helping Maybe that explains why they were such airport pros yesterday. Oops, now Valentina’s helping on the computer. Now they’re both helping.

This is Valentina as a baby.

(Attention diverted) They just heard and saw real birds out the window. These two are cracking me up. They were so good yesterday. Valentina kept talking to me, "I want to come out. Can I meet those people? That turkey sandwich looks really good." Valentine sat and observed, and was so quiet I was hoping he was okay.

They were super good on the plane flights, and seemed to sleep except for take offs and landings. We made lots of new friends! I suppose you know all about that   My DH Paul did his job well as a chauffeur, swimming at the hotel pool and napping all day in San Francisco, so he’d be ready for the four hour late night drive home. He thinks this might make a good second career

The kitties were happy to see the litter box in the back of the car, and were too wiggly and excited to (oops purring kitten on keyboard, through watching birds out window) let out of their carrier, but got back to sleep for the drive home.

Finally got home at midnight  3 (more helping). I’d expected them to be wasted from their big day, and made them some safe places to hide in the closet of their room, but HA! They were ready to play, and used the safe hiding tube for a game of cops and robbers.

Then, what, just one toy? It’s a stupid one, we want to chase something. So I went to get another toy from the other room, and they bolted out the door, under the bed, up and down the hall (thump, thump, thump), into the bathroom.

Got them gathered up, and found that to get a toy, I just had to carry both of them with me. To get out the door, I have to pick both of them up, and place them inside the door once I’m out. Thought I’d have another day or two while they adjusted to review my kitten proofing of the rest of the house, but with these two, it’s got to move to the top of the list. Aq’] (More help, two kittens in lap, ohhh… have to replace the little halogen desk light, before anyone helping burns their nose)

They drank lots of water last night, and ate both a plate of raw food, and some of the kibbles you sent. Both are peeing, and there were two good poops in the litter box.

Valentine has spent the last hour chasing a feather wand on a stick. Then, he drags his “bird” off growling at the stick for not letting it go Needless to say, I’m no longer worried that he wasn’t feeling well yesterday. He’s a ball of energy now.

Valentine at 8 weeks

He just discovered the feathers at the top of the Cat Power Tower, now is back in my lap. No hissing from Valentina, just lots and lots of purring from them both. Thank you for washing them so nicely, and clipping their nails. I just got a Valentine kiss! What sweeties they are. Valentina’s such a love bug. Both kitties purring in my lap, and another Valentine kiss.

Better get them some breakfast, not sure if they had breakfast on east coast time already last night or not. I’ll send some photos soon.

Please thank EJ again for the extra trip to the airport, and thank you for these wonderful kitties!!!!

Ellen"