Describing the kittens when I rehome them and when to spay momma cat and more questions ;)

Ok, so I have a few questions that I would like some answers to. Thank you in advance. I have 5 kittens and momma. When the kittens are 3 lbs I will be altering them before adopting them out. They will also be getting their shots.

My first question is

1) How long after momma cat is done nursing should I have her spayed to avoid any kind of added complications? I plan on keeping them all through 10-12 weeks, after they are well socialized and have had their spay/neuters.

2) When describing them for adoption, when i post their availabilities, how would i describe their coat colors and possible hair lengths? I tried to attach pictures but it said i dont have permissions so maybe I will be able to at some later date and get your opinions on how to describe their coat colors and hair. I added them to the default album in my account, im not really sure how this site works or if it easily viewed by everyone.

3) I am really worried about them going to bad homes, I don't want to charge too much because I don't want anyone to think I am trying to make a profit off my kitties. What should I charge?

4) Momma cat is currently eating Innova wet cat and kitten food, she doesnt seem to like it much but with the amount she is eating, she sees to pick at it more and eat less. It is more affordable for me than Rad cat or taste of the wild which she loves. Should I go back to Rad cat and taste of the wild and save the innova for the kittens? They will be 4 weeks tomorrow and from what I read I should be introducing them in about a week?

Thank you in advance

You can spay her pretty much immediately once she is done nursing, and I would.

I don't have much tips on describing their looks but I would advise you to also describe their personalities as positively (but honestly) as you can.  The best way to ensure a home keeps them (other than charging some $) is to make sure the home really and truly knows what they are getting into.  For instance if one of my kittens that I foster is a picky eater, I say 'she's something of a foodie and will only eat some wet foods, and no dry'. If the opposite I'll say 'he's something of a gourmand and will even drink my wine if I'm not careful' (as part of longer descriptions of course). If you end up having issues with litterbox training any of them, I would not mention in the ad, but be absolutely sure to be honest about it before the person takes the kitten and gauge their reaction.

In terms of price, if you get them fixed and they are up on all their shots, I think $100 is reasonable.

Good luck!!

Re descriptions, if you mean patterns and colors, you can have the pics also on the Description-sub forum.  I see there are lotsa of first posters, who have their pics.

I do agree with Tulosai, the discription of their behavior and personal traits, is at least as important. Rather short, but giving good impressions, as long as it is true.

Yes, do have screening of the buyers.  The easiest tool is to have a price.

Take always payment for a cat/kitten, unless it is given and taken as a precious priceless gift.

That is about the only exception.

I agree if you do all the vet checks, spaying etc, there is no need to beating the bush about price, and 100 dollars will be a normal price (your cost will prob be higher). Have the receipts to show, and also, written down in clear what has been done.

But if it by any reasons feels awkward to ask payment, ask for a donation to some causeworthy end, which the buyer chooses / agrees upon. In the name of the cat.  Say the cat is Buster, their name is mr and mrs  Donelly. The donation is either from Buster, or from Buster Donelly.  

You can even do both: take the 100 bucks as the price, and ask for an anonymous donation as sketched above.  A non anonymous donation works too, but I believe it doesnt create the same magical bond, the same feeling of a noble deed connected with the cat.

Re food.  Wet food is by itself better than dry food. It is also easier to make decent wet than decent dry. Which follows, if money is an issue, you can essentially take almost any wet you do afford, and it will still be OK.  As long the cats likes it and eats as they should.  Hope this help your decision. 

Continue to report and ask!

Good luck!

 Welcome to our Forums!

1.) With my momma cat, we waited until the kittens were around 6-7 weeks or so to get her spayed. A sure sign that it's ok is to let her go into heat one more time, and after that, get her spayed. Just make sure she doesn't get out or have any access to males during that time. 

2.) For describing the kittens, use basic coat colors, then add patterns and markings. Around 8 weeks, you will start to see a lot more personalities come out, and you can use those too. Here's an example:

Zani- Long haired Male, Gray-Blue eyes, Light Gray coat color, with dark gray tiger stripes on legs and tail. White chest & stomach, with dark gray spots on stomach. Traces of orange tint around ears. Loves to play, and gets very excited. Loves to attack feet.

Blackie - Medium haired Male, black/tan tabby mix, black tiger stripes all over, black tail tip. Tan stomach, with black spots.Orange tints on ears and nose. Very cuddly, Loves to sit on the keyboard, and is always the center of attention

3.) I totally agree with StephanZ. But maybe lower the price to 50-100 dollars?  

4.) I would keep up with the kitten food until the kittens are used to eating it. After that, you could put two bowls out; one with kitten food, and one with regular food. After you see the kittens are good with chewing and digesting regular food, you can stop with the kitten food. be careful not to switch foods to fast; it can cause upset stomachs.

Hope everything goes well!

Tulosai-

 Thank you very much for your response. I think your advice is great and describing their personalities is something i should do and I will. I was thinking around $100 but at the same time there are so many kittens right now available for free and for $20 in my area, i wasn't sure if that was asking too much or it would seem like i was trying to profit. I have put so much money into these kittens so far and more to come that I would definately not be making anything but trying to ensure they were going to a good home. They have become my babies, i even tell my cat that lol. I talk to them quite a bit and spend time with each of them individually every day and tell my kitty, these are my babies too

StefanZ-

 Thank you for replying to me. Yes, I was meaning their patterns and colors and hair lengths. I have read so much about colors and such that now im confused. Do I say the orange/black/white one is a calico or a tortie with white or a torby with white etc, do I say the striped ones are black and silver tabbies or gray tabbies with white and so on. I feel like I want to know that what im saying is accurate. I'm thinking they will be on the medium length to longer length hair but don't want to say so if im not more confident in what im saying. I agree tho, the personalities and individual behavior is a great way to describe them to help them find their forever homes. The donation is also a great idea rather than me personally taking payment, that is something I will consider and think about. As for food, I normally read the ingredients pretty well, I dont necessarily like what is in all the wet food but I agree that wet is better than dry. I am thinking of getting momma her fav, rad cat and taste of the wild again. The thing is, I was more concerned about having to pay to feed them all the same but the last two days, 3 of the kittens decided to start trying the food with momma and they seem to like the innova. I have 2 cases of the large cans so I think pretty quick here ill just feed momma away from them once they get the hang of it on their own and they can finish off the innova. Thank you for all the helpful information.

Mev13-

 I have the kittens and Momma scheduled for the first week of august to get spayed and neutered at the same time. She will not be going outside, and even after the surgery will be kept indoors to my best effort. I really really like how you said to describe the kittens, you really wrote out some great examples for me to reference and I really appreciate it. Thank you very much. I think I will say $100 at first and then maybe If i dont get responses lower the price or as Stefan suggested ask for a donation to a rescue and such. I haven't decided, Im still on the fence with all that. I want them to go to a good home, I want to post in advance and find the right homes a few weeks prior to them leaving me. I think that will help deter impulse kitten decisions by someone who just decided that day to get a kitten without thinking about the long term commitment. Idk, im still thinking about what has been suggested and havent come to a decision there. Thank you so much for the well thought out answers and the effort you put into responding to me. It is very much appreciated.
 

mygypsylove said:

Tulosai-

 Thank you very much for your response. I think your advice is great and describing their personalities is something i should do and I will. I was thinking around $100 but at the same time there are so many kittens right now available for free and for $20 in my area, i wasn't sure if that was asking too much or it would seem like i was trying to profit. I have put so much money into these kittens so far and more to come that I would definately not be making anything but trying to ensure they were going to a good home. They have become my babies, i even tell my cat that lol. I talk to them quite a bit and spend time with each of them individually every day and tell my kitty, these are my babies too

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Regarding the bolded text, be VERY CLEAR in your ad about what you have done for the kittens.  It is okay to say something like 'while I know $100 is a lot on first glance, each kitten is spayed or neutered and  fully up to date on their shots and has had 2/3/4 (whichever it is) FVRCP vaccines and been dewormed, at a total cost of far over $100 each. You will not have put any money toward these expenses after adoption and can just enjoy your kitten

 Tulosai has a great point --     I  would be willing to bet those kittens for $20 or free have had NO vet work .     So be VERY clear about  your kittens having all this stuff done -- to a responsible cat owner, your kittens are really a bargain because otherwise they would be paying for all that themselves.    

  Put in the ad that copies of  vet records  and receipts will be included.   

tulosai said:

Regarding the bolded text, be VERY CLEAR in your ad about what you have done for the kittens.  It is okay to say something like 'while I know $100 is a lot on first glance, each kitten is spayed or neutered and  fully up to date on their shots and has had 2/3/4 (whichever it is) FVRCP vaccines and been dewormed, at a total cost of far over $100 each. You will not have put any money toward these expenses after adoption and can just enjoy your kitten

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Your very welcome! Glad I could help! I never thought of it the way Tulosai and Maewkaew put it, that makes a lot of sense. Hope everything goes well for you and your kittens!