Finding a kitten during three seasons of the year is not difficult. Animal
shelters take in thousands of cats and kittens every year and do not find homes
for all of them. According to a 2010 PetSMart survey, millions of kittens are
born each year to cats who have an unplanned litter while the family caring for
the mother is planning to spay her. These kittens are often dropped off at
shelters but they are also advertised in the local paper and on bulletin
boards.
Purebred kittens should
only be purchased from breeders with a waiting list. Kittens for sale through
the internet or in pet stores may be from factory type facilities. Careful consideration
should be given to supporting mass production of kittens. Shelters often agree
to notify you when they have a cat of a certain breed or color. Our shelter
regularly has Siamese, Persian, Himalayan and Abysinian cats. Even better, shelter
workers can help you find a cat with a temperament that would fit in with your
lifestyle.
Finding a young kitten
in the winter can be more difficult so we will discuss the advantages of adopting
an older kitten or adult cat.
Visit several cats or
litters of kittens before you decide. Your cat may be with you for more than 15
years. It's worth the time to find just the right one. Remember, once your cat
is several months old he will have trouble finding a permanent home if you
decide not to keep him. Only half as many cats as dogs get second or third
homes.
SELECTION
The cat's coat should be clean and free of parasites. His eyes, ears, and nose
should be free from any discharge. Was the cat tested for feline leukemia,
feline AIDS, and FIP? Has he been treated for worms or given vaccines? How does
this affect future testing? Has he been given an examination by a veterinarian?
When you buy a kitten, ask what guarantee you will have if your veterinarian
finds something seriously wrong with him.
If you are looking for an affectionate cat, look for a kitten that allows you
to pick him up and begins purring and "kneading" with his front paws.
If your kitten is more interested in chasing a pen or shoe lace, visit him
again after a meal to see the range of his personality. All cats and kittens
may have the instinct to chase small animals but may not be successful hunters
unless their mothers taught them to hunt. Purebred mothers raised indoors are
not likely to have an opportunity to teach their kittens to hunt. If you
have other small pets, you may prefer to adopt a kitten that was raised
indoors.
Kittens learn a great deal of social behavior if they remain with litter mates
until they are at least 8 weeks old. If you adopt a kitten younger than this be
prepared to provide extra attention for his first few weeks at home. Kittens
separated from their mothers before six weeks of age may need help with litter
training. If you adopt a kitten that is not accustomed to people, hisses at you
or retreats from your approach, you will have to be dedicated to help him
become a family pet. You should not expect him to accept new strangers as he gets older.
Some behaviorists,
veterinary medical staff and long time cat owners believe that the coat color
of cats can predict some individual characteristics. Red tabbies can be
difficult to restrain at the animal hospital and white cats are said to be wary
of strangers. The stereotypes are based on the fact that the dominant coat
colors of cats, (gray tabby or black) come from a more varied genetic makeup.
The more rare coat colors tend to be paired with certain characteristics that
are inherited. For example white cats with blue eyes are often deaf. Of course,
every cat is an individual and the environment will have an impact on his or
her characteristics. You should get the advice of pet professionals and take
your time selecting a cat for your family.
Adopting an adult cat
has some advantages. Previous owners can give you insight into the cat’s preferences
and needs. Older cats do not bring the same risks as kittens of ingesting small
objects, climbing the drapes, or need for constant entertainment. The
temperament of an adult cat is also developed so that you can choose a cat that
suits your preferences. There is also the fact that cats live 15 years or so,
leaving adult cats plenty of time to offer companionship no matter their age.
If you have been
selected by a stray cat, consider yourself complimented. Cats are cautious
about approaching new people. If a neighborhood cat has decided to move in and
you are ready for a cat, read on to find out more about raising
a cat.