Cat Owner's Manual › Chapter 1: Choosing a Cat › Checklists for Meeting a Kitten or Cat ›

Adult Cat Checklist

When examining an adult cat, ask yourself the following questions. Ideally, all of your answers should be "yes." Even a single "no" should be cause for careful consideration.

  • Can you contact the cat’s previous owner?
  • Is there any record of the cat’s previous history and why it is being offered for sale/adoption?
  • Are you sure the cat isn’t being given up because of a major personality defect, such as destructiveness? (This is not necessarily a deal breaker. In many cases, loving attention can erase bad habits.)
  • Is the cat litter-box trained?
  • Does the cat seem friendly, amiable, and interested in you?
  • If the cat will live among children, was it raised with any?
  • If the cat will live among dogs or other cats, was it raised with any?
  • Has the cat received appropriate medical care? Are there records to prove it?
  • Is the cat’s stool firm?
  • Are its eyes clear and free of discharge?
  • Are its ears and nose free of discharge?
  • Is its coat clean and shiny? Does the cat take an interest in cleaning itself?
  • Is its breathing regular, with no coughing and/or wheezing?
  • Is its body physically sound, with no lameness or tenderness anywhere?

expert tipEXPERT TIP: Be sure to spend a considerable amount of time with an adult cat, so that you thoroughly understand its personality. Additionally, take the cat to a veterinarian for a pre-adoption checkup.

Download this checklist in PDF format.

Comments (3)

Chapter 1: Choosing a Cat

Comments for This Page (3)  |  Post a Comment

Just a quick comment- great check list but when adopting, be sure to ask questions if there are health issues. Some cats (in shelters) acquire a respitory disease that won't kill them but is life long (similar to kennel cough). This doesn't lesson the adoptiveness of the animal- my two boys had some minor health issues -otherwise, they're as frisky as the next guy. (and loving too)

purred by Lynn Davis on Apr 22, 2008 AT 6:07 am PDT
1 person found this comment helpful.
Helpful? Y / N    Report this Comment

First impressions in a shelter aren't always a good indication of the cats personality. Our cat Al hid and cowered in the shelter and for a couple of weeks at home, now he loves cuddles and petting. Don't dismiss a shy cat immediately, just think if you are prepared to be a bit more patient and calm with it.

purred by Amanda Cox on Jun 29, 2008 AT 1:35 am PDT
1 person found this comment helpful.
Helpful? Y / N    Report this Comment

it is a good idea to play with it, or hold it, or if acceptable, give it a treat while you are getting to know it-

purred by PM Bensel on Sep 14, 2008 AT 7:48 pm PDT
1 person found this comment helpful.
Helpful? Y / N    Report this Comment

Post a Comment for This Page

Please log in or register to post a comment.

Email
Password:

Quirk BooksThe Cat Owner's Manual is a basic guide to cat care.
The book was written by a celebrated veterinarian and an acclaimed author. It provides cat owners with well-researched and helpful information presented in a lighthearted manner. The creators chose to write the book in a style similar to what you'd find in "operating instructions" for a car or computer. Of course they--and we--respect the fact that our beloved pets are not products or machines!