Care for Scottish Folds and Maine Coons

Dry food should always be available. My cats eat Royal Canin. Kittens up to one year eat the Kitten formula; after a year we switch to adult food. Mine like Royal Canin British Shorthair Adult.

We recommend closed, hooded litter boxes. They are convenient because the filler does not scatter when kittens or adults do their business.

There are many cat litter types on the market from various brands and of varying quality.I use clumping granulated litter that absorbs moisture and odors. The clumps can be easily removed with a special scoop. Simply top up with clean litter as needed. Wash the tray at least once every two weeks.

We really like the Van Cat brand—preferably unscented.

Wash food bowls after every meal. The dry‑food bowl should also be washed daily. Do not leave natural food or canned food out for long—they spoil quickly and can harm your kitten.

Wash the water bowl daily. The water must be fresh and clean.

Litter box: must always be spotless. The tray should be large enough for an adult cat to turn around comfortably, with sides high enough to keep litter from spilling. Minimum size — 40 × 28 × 10 cm (16 × 11 × 4 in). Maine Coons need an even bigger tray (go as large as possible). Dirty clumps are removed with a special scoop. Choose the litter that suits you best; budget-friendly fine‑granule brands like “Murka” or “Pesok” work well. Over time you’ll discover which litter your cat prefers.

Vaccinations: begin after 3 months of age and are repeated yearly with the vaccine recommended by your veterinarian. The rabies shot is also given once a year. All vaccinations must be recorded in the pet passport. Vaccinate only a perfectly healthy kitten—first deworm and treat for fleas.

Worms & fleas: treat every 3 months, even if you don’t see symptoms. Reliable broad‑spectrum dewormers for kittens and adults include “Drontal” and “Protel”. Before vaccination, give the dewormer twice, two weeks apart.

Bathing Scottish Fold cats: bathe only when really dirty and no more than once every 6 months. Use cat‑specific shampoo, wash under running water in a basin or sink rather than a bathtub. Lather, then rinse with the shower. Wrap the cat in a towel; if they are not afraid, finish with a hair‑dryer. Keep the cat indoors for 10 hours after bathing to prevent chills.

Otherwise, brush once a week with a rubber brush.

Maine Coon coat care is more demanding. Bathe at least once every 2 months, as their longer fur gets greasy faster. Use quality cat cosmetics: 1) de‑greasing shampoo, 2) cleansing shampoo, 3) color‑enhancing shampoo, 4) coat conditioner. Clean fur should “squeak” and be thoroughly rinsed. I spray a texturizer onto damp fur and then blow‑dry.

My favorite professional line is “JEROB”.

To prevent mats, comb daily with a metal comb with rotating teeth—pay extra attention to the belly and under the legs, where fur is thinnest and tangles easily.

Eyes: wipe daily with a cotton pad moistened in clean boiled water. Tea is unsuitable—it stains the fur.

Ears: normal discharge is thick, light‑ to dark‑brown, and odorless—clean with a cotton swab. If discharge is watery, crusty, smelly, or the ear canal is red, visit your vet immediately.

Claws: trim with special cat nail‑scissors about once a month. Gently press the paw pad and cut only the translucent tip, well clear of the quick. Provide a sturdy scratching post or board (wrap a table leg tightly with sisal rope) so the cat can keep claws healthy.

FEEDING GUIDELINES

A mixed diet—high‑quality dry food plus natural meals—works best.

1.Dry food: Hills (daily diet), Royal Canin, Nutra Nuggets (professional orange bag). Choose a super‑premium brand so your cat gets quality nutrition and built‑in supplements.

Use kitten formulas up to 1 year, then switch to adult. Dry food should always be available. I serve natural food once a day.

Never feed “Whiskas”, “Friskies”, “Kitekat”, or other ultra‑cheap brands! They ruin a cat’s coat and health.

2.Natural food: can be premium canned food or home‑cooked meals.

Here’s my go‑to recipe—see the video for details.

Meat is the highlight for both kittens and adults.

Your kitten must always have fresh, clean water!

About neutering. That’s exactly how it is!
“Don’t grumble, close the page, or clutch your groin in fear. Don’t look at your pet with pity or curse at the screen—I’ve heard every argument. I’ve answered a thousand times, and practice shows: neutering is civilized, responsible, and cool.

Physiology: For tomcats the surgery is absurdly simple and drama‑free—no thunderbolts, no Ennio Morricone soundtrack. Seven minutes under anesthesia and your cat gains a comfortable, long life. For females it’s longer and more complex, but still routine when planned.

Psychology: Don’t humanize animals. They won’t sprint around crying “Where are they?” or stab you with the nail clipper. Their consciousness is different—they don’t mourn lost pleasures they never experienced.

Myths:
1. Neutered pets don’t automatically get fat or lazy—that’s diet and lack of exercise.
2. They don’t become disabled or “incomplete”.
3. They’re not of “intermediate gender”—adrenal glands still provide hormones.
4. They won’t stare at you with sorrow or plot revenge.
5. They’ll live longer and happier, not joyless.
6. Females do NOT need to give birth “for health”—pregnancy wears them out and can be fatal.
7. Not every animal in nature reproduces—especially males.
8. Early neutering is fine; no need to wait for puberty or first litter.
9. Age or breeding status doesn’t alter body development—that’s genetics.
10. Early neutering is NOT scary—stories about under‑developed urethras are baseless.
11. Urinary stones relate to genetics or chronic issues, not neuter status.

Benefits: During heat a cat ignores you—it wants one thing. One mating won’t satisfy a tom: he needs two females a week; a female wants four litters a year. Denied, they mark, howl, and misbehave.

Modern ecology also pushes toward neutering: pyometra, mammary cancer, uterine cancer are sadly common—why risk it?

Rehoming “for health” often ends with kittens dumped or sold at flea markets. Don’t commit that crime. Cats need peace, care, and love—give it by neutering.

Bottom line: a neutered pet is happier, healthier, and lives longer. Don’t let myths ruin both your lives—neuter early and live happily ever after.

(© Text by Anna Nikitina)