Pixie Bob Information - Forest Hunter Pixie Bobs

How Rare Is The Pixie Bob Cat Really?

January 9, 2022/in Buy A Pixie Bob Kitten, Pixie Bob Cats, Pixie Bob Information

The rare Pixie Bob Cat – but what constitutes a rare Pixie Bob cat?

“Rare” refers to any breed with few breeders and few cats. In comparison to the very popular Maine Coon or Bengal, the Pixie Bob cat is extremely rare.

What makes a rare Pixie Bob cat?

Right off the bat, there are just around 40 active breeders worldwide, and the number continues to decline.

Needless to say, given the low number of active breeders, the overall number of active, breeding cats is also very low.

The written standard only allows one color for the Pixie Bob cat – brown spotted tabby. Therefore, even though plenty of cats fit the standard perfectly in that respect, the Pixie Bob cat is still considered rare.

What different colors and patterns are there?

Because of its barn cat heritage, you will occasionally see a kitten or cat that doesn’t quite fit the standard advertised as “rare” with a matching price tag.

For instance, the rare Pixie Bob cat also comes in melanistic, pointed, and dilute coat colors and classic pattern. All these traits are considered non-standard. The classic pattern looks a lot like a swirly pound cake and is similar to the marble pattern in Bengals.

Recently, a newborn “rare” Pixie Bob cat made its way onto the world stage, introduced by a newbie breeder as “melanistic” and “rare.” However, the kitten was, in fact, a brown spotted tabby, albeit a very dark one.

Shaggy-coated kittens are born almost black. As they mature, their color will lighten up considerably.

That begs the question: “What in the world is a melanistic kitten? And is that kind of Pixie Bob cat rare?

What is melanism?

Melanism is the opposite of albinism. Albinism is the utter lack or complete absence of pigmentation, while melanism is the presence of excessive melanin production, especially as a form of color variation in animals. The word derives its origin from the Greek word “melan,” meaning “black pigment.”

A melanistic rare Pixie Bob cat may show very faint tabby markings, but only if sunlight hits their body just right. In other words, melanistic cats have almost black markings on a completely black bodies.

Melanistic kittens are born completely black with no discernible smidgen of tabby markings anywhere on their bodies. There are no face marking, no white chin, no eye liner. You will not find a single hair on a melanistic kitten that is not black.

Rare also infers to a breed with a limited gene pool. With a mere 40 breeders worldwide, you can imagine that the gene pool may not be as diverse as that of a breed that has well over 200+ breeders worldwide. It takes careful pedigree study and planning pairing several years out to ensure that genetic diversity remains stable and within an acceptable level.

Only very few Pixie Bob breeders currently introduce found cats into their program. One could argue that improvement of type is one of the reasons; however, this is mostly done to ensure genetic diversity. Forest Hunter Pixie Bobs takes genetic diversity extremely seriously as it is paramount to producing kittens that are healthy and remain that way throughout their life span.

So there you have it. The Pixie Bob cat is rare in itself. Melanistic, pointed, and dilute colors even more so as well as the classic coat pattern. But keep in mind that only a brown spotted tabby can enter the show ring.

A breeder marketing a kitten with a color or pattern that does not fit the standard (tail length aside) as “rare” with a price tag to match, does so to capitalize on the kitten’s appearance rather than striving to improve type, health, and vigor.

The kitten’s exotic looks may be intriguing; however, this type of behavior should be a reason to more closely examine the breeder’s intent. And perhaps you would be better off finding a Pixie Bob breeder who breeds for the right reasons.

The #1 Comprehensive Pixie Bob Kitten Buying Guide

January 9, 2022/in Buy A Pixie Bob Kitten, Pixie Bob Information

We felt a need for a Pixie Bob kitten buying guide as not a month goes by without a distraught pet buyer contacting us to either obtain another kitten or to ask for help with the one they got from another breeder.

The complaints range from receiving an extremely shy kitten to a kitten that comes with parasites all the way up to having lost a kitten or a young adult to heart disease or FIP.

We belong to several Facebook forums that offer disgruntled or dismayed pet buyers an avenue to talk about their experiences and warn others.

pixie bob kitten buying guide — What a cute Pixie Bob Kitten!

After wading through the information provided, one thing almost always becomes obvious – these buyers made the typical “newbie” mistakes:

Wanted a kitten RIGHT NOW!
Did not interview multiple breeders.
Did not call the registry (TICA, CFA, ACFA, etc.) to inquire about the breeder’s standing.
Bought it on a whim without researching the breed and the breeder.
Did not get a decent contract.
Did not get a WRITTEN health guarantee.
Did not visit the cattery where possible or accepted that they could not visit due to “safety concerns.”
Did not closely examine all pictures and documents provided by the breeder.
Did not research the internet for any potentially negative information about the breeder, such as the Better Business Bureau or consumer complaint sites.
Did not bother to establish a relationship with the breeder first.
Did not have access to a Pixie Bob kitten buying guide.

That said – the information is fundamental and limited. It is not unheard that a buyer doing business with a registered breeder listed on these websites had a horrible experience. Being registered, unfortunately, does not guarantee that you are dealing with a good breeder.

Most cat fancy registries such as TICA, ACFA, and CFA have some form of a kitten buying guide for potential buyers to help navigate the buying process and make it a success.

All of the aforementioned registries clearly state on their websites that any breeder registration or listing does not constitute an endorsement. Unfortunately, some buyers found that to be true, the hard way.

Our Solution – The #1 Comprehensive Pixie Bob Kitten Buying Guide

After 18 years of breeding, we have seen it all, heard it all, and many times shook our heads in utter disbelief.

These sad stories often go untold, and nothing is learned from them. Or they get highly publicized in some online forum ruffling countless feathers only to end up repeating themselves over and over. The jaded buyers almost always repeat the same mantra over and over: “I didn’t know and thought I did the right thing. Now I know better.”

Needless to say that this statement is always accompanied by hefty vet bills and, at times, even heartbreak over having lost a kitten because of an unscrupulous breeder.

We decided that perhaps we should put our vast experience (rescue for 25 years and counting and breeding for 20 years and counting) into a series of detailed articles examining each aspect of the Pixie Bob kitten buying guide by providing specific information and how to’s. The #1 Comprehensive Kitten Buying Guide was born.

Over the coming weeks, we will publish several articles as part of our Pixie Bob kitten buying guide talking about each of the common newbie kitten buyer mistakes listed above, what to do, and what to avoid. Please feel free to check back each week for the next article in this series.

Pet Insurance – Is It Worth It?

January 9, 2022/in Pixie Bob Cat Care, Pixie Bob Information

Pet Insurance – Why it is a good idea

All of our kittens go to their new homes with a 30-day prepaid pet insurance policy, courtesy Trupanion. After 30 days, our pet buyers are invited to turn the complimentary policy into a permanent one with a yearly renewal at an average cost of about $35/month ($420 annually).

We highly encourage our buyers to take advantage of not only very competitive premiums, but also not having to face any “pre-existing” conditions nor a waiting period before their pet’s policy is fully activated. It’s a win-win situation for the buyer as much as the kitten.

But why exactly should you have an insurance policy for your pet? Great question!

A Pet Insurance Story

Let us tell you the story of “Trouble”. One of our kittens became very ill in his new home. The understandably distraught family rushed him to the emergency room, where he was diagnosed with peritonitis. Peritonitis is a bacterial infection of the peritoneum (not to be confused with FIP, an autoimmune-mediated and 100% fatal disease).

It is treatable with a great prognosis for a full recovery; however, treatment is costly. Thankfully, his human parents had the foresight to continue the temporary insurance policy this little chap came with.

Money was no longer an issue. He was in intensive care at one of the most regarded veterinary schools in the country for a week. He then was transferred back to the 24-hour veterinary facility that initially diagnosed him to complete his treatment. He went home 1.5 weeks after he initially fell ill and has since made a complete recovery.

Without pet insurance, the total cost for his care would have exceeded $4,000. With pet insurance, his human family paid a mere fraction thereof – just $625.

The Moral of the Story

This particular example made us change our policy, and we now require any buyer to maintain an insurance policy to get our full, lifetime guarantee against genetic defects.

We insure our homes, cars, health, mortgage, and even our credit cards. It makes perfect sense also to insure your pet’s health.

Sure, you might pay $35/month for 12 years, and nothing ever happens. You would have spent $5,040 on insurance premiums. Let’s go back to the example we described above. One incident can get you into the vicinity or even exceed this amount.

It should be noted that many veterinarians will work with Trupanion and all you ever have to do is pay your deductible, and that’s it.

The peace of mind this buys you is beyond measure. Imagine having to rush your pet to the emergency room and not having to worry about whether you’ll be able to afford the care. You ARE able to afford it with pet insurance (particularly Trupanion – we are a bit biased).

There are all sorts of reasons to get pet insurance for your cat. A big one, as you saw from the story, is that it can provide peace of mind in knowing that you’ll be able to afford to provide your pet with necessary care if he or she becomes ill or injured. Vet bills can add up quickly, and without pet insurance, you could be on the hook for thousands of dollars.

Forest Hunter Pixie Bobs does not get a kickback for any policy one of our pet parents takes out. We get nothing other than knowing that our kittens will never have to face a decision that nobody wants to make – euthanasia because the treatment is too expensive.

We hope you’ve found this information helpful. You can get a quote for your cat from Trupanion by clicking here. We highly recommend it!

What are cat registries and how can they help you?

January 9, 2022/in Buy A Pixie Bob Kitten, Pixie Bob Cats, Pixie Bob Information

This is the third article in our series of tips and tricks and the #1 Comprehensive Kitten Buying Guide. Today we will talk about cat registries, what they are, what they are not, and how they can help you when researching breeders who you consider buying from.

What is a purebred cat registry?

It’s actually quite simple. Purebred cat registries are organizations that keep and maintain ancestry records of purebred cats. The largest ones are:

The International Cat Association (TICA)
American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA)
Cat Fanciers Association (CFA)
World Cat Federation (WCF)

All of these cat registries offer memberships, will register cattery names, and of course issue litter registrations as well as individual cat registrations (commonly referred to as papers). It should be noted that you do not have to have a current membership to get litter and individual cat registration papers processed.

Although a registered cattery name does not constitute an endorsement of the breeder by the registry, it can give you an idea of how committed a breeder is to promoting the cat fancy as a whole as well as their level of professionalism.

What are cat registries not?

Purebred cat registries are not a policing body. None of them get involved in contractual disputes nor will they vouch for any of their registered members.

Because a jaded pet buyer represents the potential of negative press for a cat fancy organization, most of them will get involved if a pet buyer does not receive papers or if they report very bad conditions at a breeder’s home.

Unfortunately, they also ask for a hefty fee for filing a complaint with no guarantee of producing the desired outcome. In our opinion, pet buyers are the single most important aspect of the cat fancy, and much more should be done by the various registries to ensure those pet buyers having run into trouble with their purebred cat are treated fairly. Nothing would get an unresponsive breeder going faster than the threat of a fine and/or temporary suspension if they fail to provide papers.

Just call them!

When you have narrowed your search for a breeder to buy a purebred cat to a couple of potential options, pick up the phone and call the purebred cat registry they claim to belong to. You can get the following information:

– Verify the registered cattery name
– Verify when the cattery was registered
– Verify if the breeder is an active member
– Verify if the breeder is currently a member or ever has been a member
– Verify if current membership is in good standing
– Verify if there has ever been a complaint against the breeder
– Verify if a breeder has continuously registered litters with the organization
– Verify if the kitten’s parents are in fact cats registered with the organization

What does this information mean to you?

Let’s use a couple of fictitious breeders to illustrate how this information would be beneficial to a pet buyer.

Breeder #1

Mary Smith claims to have a registered cattery by the name of FunkyCats with TICA and claims to have been a member for 15 years.

When you call TICA, you are told that the cattery name indeed is registered and that Mary Smith is the owner of record. You are told that the cattery name was registered 15 years ago.

You also find out that the breeder is no longer an active member and hasn’t been one in 5 years. Prior to that, she was a member in good standing and has never had a single complaint against her. Furthermore, she does own the registered cats that are the parents to the kitten you want to buy and she also regularly registers litters with TICA.

Breeder #2

Helen Miller claims to have a registered cattery by the name of TopCats with XYZ registry and has been a breeder for 4 years.

When you call XYZ registry, you are told that TopCats is a registered cattery name, that was issued 4 years ago and that Helen Miller is the owner.

Upon further investigation, you find out that Helen has been a member in good standing for the entire 4 years. However; she only has two cats registered to her name and has not registered a single litter to this cattery name. Matter of fact, there is no record of the kitten’s parents being registered within the organization.

It should be noted that all you need to do to be a “member in good standing” is to pay your membership fees and not have had sanctions levied against you.

Although Mary Smith currently does not have an active membership with her registry, she would be considered a breeder you might want to buy from. Some breeders let their memberships laps because they might not agree with some of the politics within the organization or because they simply do not see a benefit.

Helen’s information on the other hand would represent a big red flag. It looks as though Helen is breeding unregistered cats and is using the registered cattery name to lend legitimacy to her backyard breeding ways.

We hope you enjoyed the third article in this series and consider subscribing so you receive our handy dandy reference guide for you to keep via email once this series concludes.

Pixie Bob Traits – Top 5 Reasons Why They Are Simply Perfect

January 9, 2022/in Buy A Pixie Bob Kitten, Pixie Bob Cat Traits, Pixie Bob Cats, Pixie Bob Information

You might ask yourself if the Pixie Bob traits make this breed a good fit for your and your family. Look no further. Here are the Top 5 reasons why to choose a Pixie Bob cat (TICA or ACFA registered of course) as your next family member:

One of the top Pixie Bob traits – they are afraid of nothing

You’ve come to the right place! One of the most memorable Pixie Bobs traits is their dog-like behavior and view any family not as a group of individuals but rather as their pack. Well, pride since we are talking about the feline species.

These cats bond strongly to not just one member of your family but to all of them. It is not uncommon for them to start the “night shift” in your bedroom only to move on to your kids’ bedroom halfway through the night. The Pixie Bob love is divided evenly among all members of a household.

Pixie Bobs thrive on human contact and will follow you around your home wherever you go. They must be near their humans. Even a vacuum won’t scare them off as this breed is quite self-assured and not afraid of much. Unlike other cats, water is not a deterrent and neither are noisy kids.

More Pixie Bob traits – you want a minimal maintenance cat

Another major Pixie Bob trait is the low maintenance this breed requires. Regardless of what type of coat your kitten/cat has, all you need is an occasional brushing every other week and that’s it. Add to that a monthly nail trim and your grooming “chores” are done.

You want a quiet cat – not a talker

Pixie Bob cats are not known for being talkers. They are mostly quiet and will communicate with little chirps. Only if something is of real importance to them will use their “louder” voice.

One of the best Pixie Bob traits – their intelligence

Pixie Bobs are very smart cats. Most of them are self-taught fetchers. You may throw a little fuzzy ball once or twice but that is all it takes for them to catch on. Next thing you know, your cat will initiate play by bringing his fuzzy ball to you.

Pixie Bobs know the meaning of the word “NO”! If you do not want them to jump onto that kitchen counter, simply take them off and firmly tell them “NO”!.

You might need to repeat this a couple of times but that is really all it takes for them to understand that kitchen counter surfing is not a bona fide pastime.

You want a cat that has little to no known health issues

Barn cats are the origin of the Pixie Bob breed. And as it goes with barn cats, only the fittest survive. This directly translated into a hardy breed with very little known health issues. Pixie Bobs are not prone to joint issues, glandular issues or heart disease. Most of them tend to live well into their teens if not even twenties.

Veterinary Care – Read This Before Your Next Vet Visit

January 9, 2022/in Pixie Bob Cat Care, Pixie Bob Cats, Pixie Bob Information

Pixie Bob veterinary care need not be a mystery or scare you. Some veterinarians may tell you that your kittens/cats need more vaccines. That can be dangerous. Over-vaccinating causes severe adverse health issues.

What can you do?

There are few vaccines an indoor-only cat needs. Also, the frequency is far less than some veterinarians make you believe.

Let me introduce you to the AAFP – American Association of Feline Practitioners.

Who are they?

They are an association of cat veterinarians who are “dedicated to advancing the field of feline medicine and surgery by setting the standards of feline veterinary care through the publication of practice guidelines, position statements, and by providing continuing education.”

But what exactly does that mean?

The AAFP took notice of a large number of cats developing tumors and lymphoma at a young age. After years of research, they identified over-vaccination as the root cause. Furthermore, they discovered that cats develop immunity that lasts far longer than a year.

As a result, the AAFP developed a vaccine guide – the holy grail of today’s veterinary medicine.

Pixie Bob Veterinary Care – Core Vaccines

There are only two core vaccines. These are vaccines that must be given and are not subject to debate.

FVRCP(Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia) and RABIES:

Rhinotracheitis is an upper respiratory disease caused by the ever-present Herpes I virus.
Calici is a virus that causes ulcers in the mouth and, at times, the eyes. It leads to excessive drooling and an inability to consume food (it just really hurts).
Panleukopenia is the medical term for distemper. This is a dreadful and almost always fatal viral disease characterized by massive bloody diarrhea and vomiting.

Pixie Bob Veterinary Care – Other Vaccines

There are other vaccines your vet might try to talk you into. These are Feline Leukemia (FeLV), Feline Aids, FIP, Bortadella, Chlamydia, and Giardia.

Generally, FIP and Giardia vaccines are not recommended. They have dangerous side effects while not truly protecting your cat.

It would be best if you only considered these vaccines for a cat at risk. A cat at risk is one that you allow outside or gets in contact with outside cats. No indoor-only cat runs the risk of contracting Feline Leukemia, Feline Aids, FIP, Chlamydia, and/or Bortadella.

If you board your cat when you are on vacation, the facility might require you to provide proof of Bortadella, Chlamydia, and FeLV. Boarding is quite stressful for a cat. I am sure that you are fully aware that stress lowers the immune system. We suggest hiring a trained, licensed, bonded, and insured pet sitter instead to care for your cat in its familiar surroundings.

You no longer vaccinate cats every year. Instead, the AAFP recommends vaccinating as follows:

Series of 3 baby vaccines
Booster one year after the last vaccine
After that, only every 3 years.

We recommend stopping FVRCP vaccines at the age of 10 years. It would be best if you continued Rabies as it is the law. The next time you visit the vet with your Pixie Bob cat, insist only on vaccinations meeting the protocol’s guidelines. You will be glad you did.

Purebred Rescues in Shelters – Myth vs. Reality

January 9, 2022/in Pixie Bob Cats, Pixie Bob Information, Pixie Bob Rescues

There are so many purebred rescues in shelters” and “Adopt, Don’t Shop!”

Today’s animal welfare and animal rights organizations are eagerly explaining to anyone that buying a purebred cat is politically incorrect and even equates to animal abuse. Their social media posts and pictures relate this mission like a battle cry.

Unfortunately, these efforts have led to many misguided policies/laws aimed at painting all breeders with the same stroke. The emotions these comments evoke in me are best likened to what most people experience when someone drags their fingernails across a chalkboard. I HATE IT!

The Claim

According to the ASPCA, on average, 1.5 Million shelter cats and dogs across the United States are euthanized each year. They claim that many of these are purebred rescues in shelters.

Some organizations report far higher numbers; however, they fail to substantiate these numbers with facts. They do not reflect reality but are rather used to elicit shock, disbelief, and …….. lots of donations from you, the outraged public.

Rescue Reality

Large “animal rescue” organizations, such as ASPCA, PETA, and HSUS, raise nearly $300 Million in donations each year to “help save animals.”

In the ASPCA case, well over 35% of the $42 Million in donations go to salaries, bonuses, and pension plans. That’s about $15 Million. They manage to kill thousands in their shelters each year but see nothing wrong with asking your money to do the dirty deed while paying their CEO over $850,000 per year.

Nearly 99% of the over $100 Million yearly donations PETA obtains go to salaries, bonuses, lavish pension plans, and of course, criminal defense costs. In other words, $99 Million of your donations help them, never an animal. Additionally, their “shelter” euthanasia rate exceeds 97% in most years.

HSUS does not even have a shelter and gives around 0.5% of the $142 Million in donations to animal rescue organizations. Consequently, just over $700,000 will actually help animals.

Other than sheer and unobliterated greed, these organizations have one more thing in common – they are all blaming me!

Who is Responsible for Purebred Rescues in Shelters?

Yes, you got that right! I am responsible for the many purebred rescues in shelters. And, of course, all those cats being euthanized each year.

In theory, for every kitten I sell, a cat is put down in a shelter because it cannot find a home. Additionally, they claim that shelters are “overflowing with purebred animals from irresponsible kitten/puppy mills.”

Unfortunately, some local, smaller shelters are happily tooting into the same horn of misinformation to increase their donations. However, all of this information is lacking something substantial – FACTS.

Purebred Rescues in Shelters

Many “shelters” and “rescues” fail to mention that 95% of all shelter animals are not purebred. They advertise them as a specific breed, but they are domestic animals of unknown ancestry that find themselves in a shelter because of irresponsible owners failing to make a lifetime commitment, not because of any breeder.

NAIA (National Animal Interest Alliance) researched this claim back in 2015. What they found was nothing short of amazing; however, not at all surprising to me. Previous “research” found that at least one-third of dogs in shelters are purebred. The reality hovers around five percent. That’s right – only 5%. The numbers for cats are even lower.

Purebred Cats in Shelters

Here is just one of the many examples of “purebred rescues in shelters” we found on Petfinder:

This cat was advertised as a “Pixie Bob”

The first cat was advertised as a “Pixie Bob”. The second cat is actually a Pixie Bob. Can you see the difference?

Why do you see these cats advertised as something they are not? It’s simple. They find a home quicker that way. Now, I do not have an issue with this practice if it helps a cat find a new home quickly.

I have issues with people telling me that I am responsible for cats dying in shelters or that they rather adopt a “purebred Pixie Bob” from a shelter than buying one from a “kitten mill.” They have been led to believe that many purebred animals are sitting in shelters awaiting a new home. Consequently, any breeder is nothing other than a glorified animal abuser who produces animals to sell at a maximum profit, which equals minimum care.

Purebred Rescues Today

These organizations also fail to mention that each year roughly about 1 Million animals are imported from other countries. Say WHAT?? Yes, you read this correctly. 1 MILLION animals (mostly dogs) are imported to major metropolitan areas because shelters have more demand for YOUNG animals or kittens/puppies than they have supplied.

Metropolitan shelters have done a fantastic job raising awareness of early spay/neuter benefits while providing low-cost options to the public. Therefore, the influx of unwanted domestic kittens/puppies has dramatically decreased over the last couple of decades. Consequently, kittens/puppies or very young cats/dogs are harder and harder to come by. This is great news.

Purebred Rescues in Shelters – The Money Maker

Yes, it is – but not so fast. Let’s take a closer look at what this trend means to a shelter or rescue organization.

Right off the bat, the public wants to adopt babies or very young animals. Most are not interested in giving a 10-year old senior cat a few more nice years. They want a kitten – anything under a year of age.

Baby or young animals also fetch considerably higher adoption fees than older animals. In the Seattle area, the fee to adopt a kitten is around $200. A 5-year old cat fetches a mere $50. A senior goes for even lesser.

Young animals get adopted faster. Therefore, their shelter stay is short, and the cost to take care of them while in the shelter is lower. Their adoption fee is 4+ times that of an older cat. That means PROFIT!

You are out of luck if you are “old”

Older cats/dogs remain in shelters longer while incurring higher costs for upkeep. Their adoption fees usually do not offset these costs thus representing an operating loss rather than profit or, at a minimum, breaking even.

It should also be mentioned that fees for “purebred rescues in shelters” are much higher, hence the desire to declare as many cats as possible to be “purebred.” This again, is done for increasing profit. “Purebred” adult cats have $250+ adoption fees associated with them.

“Rescue” As an Industry

Purebred Rescues in the United States shelters has turned into a multi-billion-dollar industry. Yes, billions!! In light of all this information, making my cattery responsible for this seems to be quite fantastic.

When a potential pet buyer talks about feeling guilt for buying a purebred kitten, I always tell them the same:

“Two cats are better than one anyway. Get your purebred kitten and then get it a friend from the shelter. This accomplishes three things – you get what you want, you save a life, and you have two cats that are never lonely.”

I take rescue very seriously. Many don’t know that I have been rescuing for well over 25 years – far longer than I have been breeding. As a matter of fact, I breed and rescue (yes, you can do both). My furry entourage comprises purebred cats as well as Heinz 57 magnificent shelter moggies. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

One or two – which one is better?

January 9, 2022/in Buy A Pixie Bob Kitten, Pixie Bob Cat Care, Pixie Bob Information

Pixie Bob Kitten happiness – is there such a thing? I am often getting asked how to ensure the happiness of Pixie Bob kittens. Should I get one? Or should I get two? Will one kitten by itself during the day be o.k.?

The answer is simple – yes, and yes! Well, maybe not quite that simple. Let’s dig deeper!

The Cat’s Natural Behavior

Cats are, first and foremost, nocturnal. That means during the day when you are gone, that little furball mostly lays around and sleeps. When you get home at 6 or so, your fluffy partner in crime is wide awake and ready to roll.

If the Fluffinator had a kitty pal of complimentary age, he would naturally gravitate to the other feline in the house for playtime. This certainly makes a good case for having more than one cat.

That’s a lot of money!

If the budget doesn’t allow the purchase of two purebred kittens simultaneously, it’s perfectly acceptable to look for a suitable mate at your local rescue. You accomplish two things that way – you get your purebred, AND you save a life.

Or ask the breeder if there would be a suitable retiree you could also take. They are often priced at merely the cost of the spay or neuter plus updated vaccines. On the other hand, perhaps one cat is all you want/can afford to take care of. That’s quite alright. Pixie Bobs are notorious for being fine in a busy, multi-person/animal family as well as the quiet only-cat home.

The Correct Pixie Bob Kitten Environment for Happiness

Regardless of your preference, you need to give some thought to creating a suitable indoor environment for your cat. Sounds daunting? It is quite easy, and you can do this on a reasonable budget. One thing to consider is the quality of the items you are going to purchase. Pay a bit more off the bat, and you won’t have to replace them any time soon.

So here we go (note: any links are NOT affiliated links, so you are safe to click on them, and I won’t get a penny):

Pixie Bob Kittens Happiness Perches

Pixie Bob kittens and cats love high places. Many DIY ideas on Pinterest show you how to create a kitty jungle gym on a bit of wall space while respecting your budget.

pixie bob kitten happiness — Pixie Bob Kitten Happiness Perch

I recently bought and installed this awesome contraption. My cats love it so much that I decided to order two more.

Pixie Bob Cat Scratchers

Cats will use their claws to mark territory. Help them be good kitties by providing them with a couple of cardboard scratchers for vertical scratching surfaces. My personal favorites are available at Target. $20 and they last forever.

Cat Trees – Heaven & Happiness for Pixie Bob Kittens

Preferably, you would also invest in a good cat tree. These will not come cheap but will last for many years. Here’s what I use in my home. I bought mine 7 years ago, and it still looks fantastic.

It also has a replaceable shelf and scratch pads. They are found on Wayfair and Overstock at around $350.

Note: they are very sturdy and will last forever. They are either referred to as the Cleopatra Cat Tree or the Lotus Cat Tree.

Interactive Toys

Get some toys that Kitty Fluffington can play with on its own. The turbo scratcher has a ball that kitty can chase ad nauseam. It also doubles as a scratchpad. Little fuzzy or foam balls are wonderful to toss around, and so are smaller catnip filled toys.

And how do you get your kitten to sleep at night? Well, check back for the next article (it’s a short one) that will teach you how to handle a kitten or cat that keeps you up at night.