How to choose the right kitten? Sometimes, a cat may unexpectedly find its way into your home—perhaps as a stray you couldn’t resist helping, a gift from relatives, or a cat someone entrusted to your care. In these cases, the decision has already been made for you, often influenced by the laws of your country. However, the process can feel exciting and overwhelming if you’re consciously deciding to bring a kitten into your life. You’ll need to consider many factors, such as whether to adopt from a shelter or buy from a breeder, what breed suits your lifestyle, and whether to choose a male or female kitten. Continue reading our guide to learn how to select the perfect kitten for your family and avoid common pitfalls.
Should I buy a purebred kitten or get a stray?
More on this article How To Choose The Right Kitten? For those who just like cats, or would like to take home an unhappy street cat, or take from a shelter a cat with no home, a mongrel pet is quite appropriate. Crossbreeds have a vast variety of colors, high intelligence, and good health. If the cat is from a shelter, he, as a rule, will happily give love to the new owner and his family. The disadvantage is that in mongrel cats, it is impossible to predict either the future body size, character traits, or even probable health problems, unlike purebred animals.
Thus, for those people who are ready to take a real pet in their house but do not want any (or almost any) surprises, the acquisition of a purebred cat is more appropriate. Still, each animal has its individuality, but peculiarities of the breed are always accepted in one form or another in the representatives of a given breed. In purebred kittens, the characteristic features of the future adult appearance are immediately known.
They claim that non-pedigree cats simply rarely get ill, outlive purebred cats, and don’t require vaccinations as well as a special diet. It is not completely accurate. Hereditary diseases specific to a particular breed do exist, but the risk of getting a sick kitten in a good cattery is reduced to almost zero. However, it also needs to be pointed out that cats of other races, especially aboriginal ones, can also live for a long time. They should be vaccinated, given antiparasitic treatment, and go through scheduled visits to the veterinarian as well to become healthy purebred dogs if you are a responsible owner who takes care of your dog. The same applies to nutrition: thus, regardless of whether your pet is of purebred stock or not, if you want him or her to live as long and happy a life as possible, then the diet needs to be good.
Who should choose: a boy or a girl?
Kittens are not remarkably different in childhood – equally cute fluffy lumps. Sometimes, even determining the sex of a kitten while it is tiny is not easy. But animals grow up very quickly – so you need to decide immediately whether you want a male or female cat. What are the main differences?
Appearance. Sexual dimorphism in cats is quite pronounced, especially in purebreds. Males are noticeably larger, and their breed characteristics are more noticeable. Females are usually smaller in size and look a little more modest.
Behavior. Male cats are often more independent, although they become attached and cuddle with their owners no less than female cats. Male cats are sometimes lazy about washing themselves. Female cats are cleaner, more docile, and easier to toilet-train. In addition, even castrated males have a stronger smell of urine and feces than females.
Sexual instinct. Sexual maturity begins at about six months. At this time, male cats behave aggressively, mark their territory, and try to get out into the street. Female cats howl for several days, refuse to eat, and pester people. Male cats are castrated more often, as they are ready to mate around the clock, while female cats can simply wait out the heat period. But it is better to sterilize a female cat that is not involved in reproduction. When free-ranging, she gives birth to 2-3 litters of kittens per year.
Health. Castration of a male cat is a more straightforward and less expensive procedure than sterilization of a female cat. The male cat recovers faster after the operation, and for a female cat, this is an abdominal operation – the animal has to wear a special blanket or collar for some time. Male cats often suffer from obesity and urolithiasis after castration. Female cats are less susceptible to these ailments, but if they are not sterilized before their first heat, tumors of the uterus and mammary glands may develop in the future.
Monetary costs. In the case of mixed breeds, the first necessary expense is sterilization surgery. For male cats, it is less urgent, so if there are financial difficulties, it is better to take a male. Pedigree unsterilized female cats are significantly more expensive than male cats.
At what age can you get a kitten?
Responsible breeders do not give away pedigree kittens until they are three months old. After two months, the babies undergo their first vaccination against common cat diseases, and at three months, they undergo a second vaccination, plus a rabies vaccination. Then, there is a two-week quarantine and the formation of immunity against viruses. Only after this is the kitten ready for a safe move to new owners. Also, the kitten learns basic skills from its mother cat for up to three months. By three months, the baby is usually already accustomed to the toilet and food – it is much easier to babysit it.
Even a yard kitten should not be taken away from its mother until it is two months old unless essential. Kittens are taken away too early, contrary to the opinion that they get used to a new home faster, often becoming insecure and having problems with socialization. Feeding a kitten without a mother is a very difficult task; it is better to let the cat do it herself.
It is also wrong to keep kittens away from their mother for too long. 3-3.5 months is the optimal age. At 4-5 months, older babies already develop habits that will be difficult for new owners to correct later.
Most people want to get a kitten rather than an adult cat. This is understandable because kittens are cute and playful. In addition, small kittens have fewer behavioral problems because, in adult animals, they are usually caused by previous negative experiences. However, in the first year of life, kittens require much more time and attention, frequent feeding, special care and medical care. If you are not often at home, you have small children, and you are not sure that you can care for a baby painstakingly, it is better to choose an adult cat.
Where and how is it best to buy?
Decide to take a kitten very seriously because you are taking a living creature into your family, and you will be responsible for it from now on. It is necessary:
- Make sure that all family members want to have a kitten, and take into account all wishes and concerns.
- Find out if anyone in your household is allergic to cats.
- Find out if your existing pets will be able to accept the new animal. For example, some dog breeds with solid hunting instincts do not get along with other pets.
- Determine if the features of this financial state of the family will permit you to have a cat at home, whether there is enough time to be dedicated to play with it and look after it.
If you have already decided to get a cat, decide for what purpose: just as a pet or for breeding and participation in exhibitions. This determines what class of purebred animal you should choose. Purebred kittens are:
- Pet class. Animals are not suitable for mating. Before buying, clarify the reason. This is an insignificant breed defect for a pet (for example, a color not recognized by the standard) or health pathologies that require serious and expensive treatment.
- Breed class. They have all the breed qualities without noticeable deviations from the standard. They participate in breeding.
- Show class. The most expensive, the best representatives of the breed. Potential participants and winners of exhibitions. Taking such an animal for castration or sterilization is unjustified from a financial point of view and wasteful for the breed gene pool.
There are several options for purchasing a pedigree cat. Let’s look at the main ones, with their advantages and disadvantages.
Pet shops and markets. They offer many different breeds at a fairly low cost. However, there are a sufficient number of significant disadvantages:
- There is no complete picture of the animal’s health and temperament since there is no opportunity to observe it in the conditions in which it was born, in contact with its mother and other kittens from the litter.
- Animals spend all day in cages and are left alone at night, locked in the dark, which causes severe stress.
- Not all such outlets strictly adhere to hygiene rules and provide animals with the necessary vaccinations.
- Kittens from different litters are kept together – there is a high risk of infection.
- Kittens often live in stores for months, further complicating the process of acclimating the kitten to a new home.
From a registered breeder or a cattery. The surest way to buy a purebred pedigree cat. You are guaranteed to get a healthy animal with all the necessary documents confirming its breed and pedigree. It is possible to look at the litter’s parents and evaluate the keeping conditions. The only drawback is the high cost, but the above advantages justify it.
“From hands”. It is not difficult to find a purebred animal at a low price. The keeping conditions are easy to assess if you take it from the breeder’s home. The main disadvantage is that the origin and breed of the kitten cannot be documented – there is a high risk of acquiring a mongrel under the guise of a purebred cat.
Tips for choosing a kitten
There is no way to rush when choosing a kitten – it is better to wait, but take the animal from a reputable cattery with all the necessary documents. Do not chase a price that is too low. A kitten for which the breeder bought high-quality food, gave vaccinations and paid for the services of a veterinarian, simply cannot be cheap. Otherwise, the breeder’s work is at a loss, or he does not take good care of his animals, saving their health.
To make the right choice:
- Decide what kind of cat appearance you prefer – based on this, choose a breed. Then, be sure to visit a cat show. Looking at photos on the Internet and seeing representatives of the breed in person are completely different things.
- Research the breed’s personality traits and see if they will fit with your personality.
- Carefully analyze information about existing nurseries and read reviews and recommendations.
- Talk to the breeders themselves. A good breeder always treats their pets with care and soul. Also, an honest breeder will tell you about the cat’s shortcomings. They exist in any case because there are no ideal animals, and the number of deviations from the standard determines the degree of purity and the chances of winning competitions. If necessary, take a place in line for a kitten.
It is easy to understand whether the kitten you like is healthy on your own without the help of a veterinarian. A healthy baby:
- Clean skin, dry, clean coat, no bald spots or parasites.
- Clear and fully open eyes, without lacrimation or pus, third eyelid.
- Nose and ears without discharge.
- The area under the tail is free of fecal matter.
- The abdomen is soft, not bloated.
- General appearance: well-fed and active.
It is easy to understand whether the kitten you like is healthy on your own without the help of a veterinarian. A healthy baby:
- Clean skin, dry, clean coat, no bald spots or parasites.
- Clear and fully open eyes, without lacrimation or pus, third eyelid.
- Nose and ears without discharge.
- The area under the tail is free of fecal matter.
- The abdomen is soft, not bloated.
- General appearance: well-fed and active.
What else is important to pay attention to when choosing:
- On behavior. Aggression towards other kittens indicates that, as an adult, the cat will try to dominate. An overly timid animal can grow up withdrawn and avoid communication with people.
- On the reaction to you. If you picked up a kitten, and it meows and breaks away, look at other babies. If it is calm and friendly, this is your option. When the baby comes to you himself, trying to play, it is a good sign that he will grow up kind and sociable.
- On documents. Appearance alone is not enough to confirm pedigree. A veterinary passport only indicates health. Documents on origin are also required. Both parents of a pedigree kitten must have pedigrees. A special card is issued for the baby itself, confirming that it has passed the examination for compliance with breed standards. This card is proof of the animal’s purity. It contains a nickname, full name, information about color, gender, date of birth, full names, titles, and pedigree numbers of the parents, and contact information of the cattery owner. Deviations from the standard are also indicated if they were identified during the examination.
Find out as much as possible about the chosen kitten from the breeder: what its favorite food is, what toys it likes, and what places it chooses to rest. This will help you quickly adapt the pet to your home, creating a favorable environment for it.
Now you know how to choose a kitten to avoid mistakes. Do not forget that the breed leaves an imprint on the temperament and character of the animal, including the extent of its attachment to humans. If you want to get an animal just for the soul, perhaps you should not buy a kitten but choose one in a shelter. Many lonely animals are waiting for their owners. Suddenly, among them, you will meet your furry friend.
