How to Choose a Kitten for Your Family: 8 Vet-Approved Tips
Welcoming a kitten into your life is an exciting time, but if you are new to cat parenting, you may be feeling unsure about how to approach choosing the perfect feline friend. While there are no set rules, there are some things to take into account to help you make your decision, and that's what this post is all about.
How to Choose a Kitten for Your Family
Here, we'll go through all the factors to consider when you meet a litter of kittens or an adult cat you are thinking of adopting. This should help you make an informed decision and feel more confident in your choice.
1. Age Range
The first thing to think about is whether you want a recently weaned kitten or one that’s a couple of months old. Some people prefer to adopt older kittens that are already a few months old rather than very tiny, 8-week-old kittens because their personalities are more developed, and many will have already learned important skills like how to interact with other cats and people appropriately.
2. Breeder or Adoption
Once you've decided on the age and type of kitten you'd like to welcome into your home, we recommend contacting local shelters and rescue organizations. There are cats of all ages—from tiny kittens to senior cats—in shelters and foster care waiting for new homes.
If you get your kitten from a breeder, perhaps because you want a very specific type of cat, be sure to do your research on the breeder to find out if they're reputable. A good breeder will be happy to answer any of your questions and won't object to you coming to see all the kittens and the mother.
3. Personality Types
While some cat lovers gravitate toward overly affectionate cats that like to involve themselves in every aspect of their human companion's lives, others get along better with independent cats that are less needy.
Cats with an independent streak may be preferred by those who work away from home during the day, whereas “velcro cats” might be the perfect companion for those who spend a lot of time at home. Before you go to meet a potential feline friend, think about the kind of personality you're most drawn to and what type of cat would suit your lifestyle. Just bear in mind that if you are set on a particular kind of cat, you might have to choose an older cat instead of a kitten, as their personalities only develop fully as they age.
4. One or Two?
If you're planning on bringing a kitten home and don't already have other cats of a similar age, it's worth considering adopting two instead of one. Yep: Single kitten syndrome is a thing, and it refers to young kittens adopted alone that start to develop behavioral issues due to a lack of ongoing socialization with other cats.
Of course, this doesn't happen in every instance—some kitties do perfectly well with loving human companions alone—but it's a real possibility. If you're not up for two kitties, an alternative is to get an older kitten or a fully grown adult cat.
5. Health
If you go via a breeder, check that all the kittens in the litter and their mother look healthy. Signs of healthy kittens include bright, clean eyes, a clean, cool, moist nose, and a clean bottom. The kittens will also be sprightly, curious, and energetic.
As mentioned already, always do your research on potential breeders to ensure that they're knowledgeable and caring and perform health screenings. If you're adopting a kitten or cat from a rescue organization, the staff will inform you if the cat in question has any medical issues or special care requirements.
6. Connection
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a kitten is whether or not you feel a connection to them. When you visit a litter, let the kittens come to you and see which one you feel most drawn to. Often, you'll find that cats choose us rather than us choosing them!
Bear in mind that it's normal for kittens to be afraid or hesitant when they first meet you (just remember how big you must seem to them), so don't take it personally. Some will slink over to you with no fear whatsoever and even start climbing all over you (ouch), whereas others will check you out from a distance until they've ascertained that you're not a threat.
On that note, don't rule out a shy kitten if you've got a soft spot for one in particular. Many shy kitties, with time, patience, and a gentle hand, make wonderful companions—they may just need a little more time than some of their brothers and sisters.
What About Cats With Special Needs?
It's definitely worth considering if you could adopt a kitty with a disability, like blindness or physical abnormalities. These cats can make wonderful companions just like fully able cats, so don't let a disability stop you if you feel drawn to a specific cat. Just be sure to talk everything through with the rescue organization and ask all the questions you need to so there are no surprises.
Final Thoughts
Bringing a kitten or adult cat home is a big commitment, so it's essential to be sure it's the right choice for you and your family before you go ahead. Our final piece of advice is to not feel bad about continuing your search if you haven't yet found the kind of cat you're looking for. All cats are amazing, but your gut will tell you when you've met your perfect match.
Sources
Featured Image Credit: Tsekhmister, Shutterstock
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Kit Copson is a freelance writer and lifelong animal lover with a strong interest in animal welfare. She has parented various furry beings over the years and is currently a proud cat mom of two—one very chilled (unless hungry) Siamese and a skittish but adorable Domestic Shorthair—and dog mom of one—an adopted Bichon Poodle cross. When not writing about or spending time with animals, Kit can be found doodling in her sketchpad, reading, or more often than not, drinking tea.
