Absolutely Cats

Choosing A Kitten

Cynthia B. Whitney, Fe-Lines


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You have decided to add a cat to your household. Great! Before you go any further, please make sure that it is completely clear to you and every member of your household that getting a cat is like adding a member to your family. Your new furry friend will need food, medical care, proper housing, and love for many years. If all that has been agreed upon, you are ready to think about what type of cat you will get.

Please keep in mind “a cat is a cat” is not a true statement. They have personalities like you and me. Every breed has its characteristics, and within the breed each animal has a unique behavior only that cat has. It is true certain behavioral aspects, such as temperament, and athletic ability, are manifested in certain breeds over others. But, each cat will be his own; please remember that.

Of course, there are many homeless non-pedigreed cats and kittens available from shelters all over this country. If you do get a shelter cat or kitten, make sure that it has been tested and found negative for Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FeLv and FIV) before you bring it home. Before taking it into your home, take any shelter adoptee to your veterinarian immediately to have it checked out.

However, if you are considering purchasing a pedigreed cat, you should research your chosen breed. If you have no clue what breed you might like, there are several things you can do to educate yourself about cat breeds. One of the best ways to see and understand the various breeds of cats is to attend a cat show. Most cat shows have 30-50 different breeds, kittens and adults, big and little, shorthair and longhair, for you to observe. Most breeders will gladly tell you about their breed. Ask questions like “How active is this breed?” “Does this breed prefer to have a cat companion?” “Are they good with children?” You may be surprised at the diversity of the answers. If you do find a breed you like, these may be the people who will have kittens to sell to you as a pet. Another way to research breeds is to read the breed profiles. Each cat registry, such as the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) and The International Cat Association (TICA) has written “standards” for showing the ideal cat of each breed. These standards include a brief description about the breed, including temperament, activity levels one can expect, etc. There are also numerous books on breeds of cats, and information all over the Internet.

Keep in mind that the breed you think you like best may not be the best breed for your specific lifestyle. Be practical. You wouldn’t buy a racecar for city driving, and you shouldn’t buy a breed of cat that has the tendency to bounce off the walls with energy if you have a small apartment.

Once you have decided which breed best suits you, you’ll want to start your search for a reputable breeder. There are lots of sites on the Internet with breeder directories for you to look through. Please be careful if shopping on the Web. Just because a breeder is on a list doesn’t make that breeder reputable. There are kitten mills just as there are puppy mills. How can you tell the difference between a reputable breeder and a mill? One good indication is, if the breeder has cats with current titles, like Grand Champion, or Regional Winner, then they are showing their cats at cat shows. This is one clue that this breeder might be reputable since they are actively showing their cats, and so are not likely to be a backyard breeder with low quality cats. Breeding for show quality helps perpetuate the good qualities of the breed. It may also give you a good indication that their cats are probably healthy, since showing sick cats is not permitted in CFA and TICA.

However, none of these things is foolproof. The best way to know if you are working with the right breeder is to talk to them. If they have health guarantees, are pleasant to talk with, ask you a lot of questions, don’t make a lot of excuses, etc. then you probably have found a good breeder. If possible, it is to your advantage to go to the breeder’s home and see how the kittens are raised.

If your dream kitten happens to be far away, and needs to be shipped to you, most breeders who ship around the country do it regularly and should be able to explain how that process works. Also, make sure you understand the health guarantees on your kitten. You might ask the breeder who their veterinarian is, and call the vet. This may provide you with valuable information on that breeder.

Wherever you purchase your new kitty companion, make sure this is what you and everyone in your household wants. It is a commitment you will not regret.

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