Bringing a new kitten or cat into the household can be an exciting time for the entire family. However, it’s important that you take careful considerations to ensure that you find the right cat for your home. Fortunately, here are 10 things to consider when looking for a cat:
Pedigrees and non-pedigrees both have their advantages and disadvantages. For example, pedigrees are great for people that want a specific look and personality or are interested in entering cat competitions. However, pedigrees can be costly to purchase and often come with certain health problems. Meanwhile, non-pedigrees are often given away for free and tend to have more hardy immune systems. However, without knowing a non-pedigree’s bloodline, there could be health problems further down the line that you might not be prepared for.
More: 10 Best Cat Breeds for Children
6. Personality
Different cats have different personalities that work well for some people and not for others. For example, Siamese cats are very energetic and demanding while Persians are laid back. To ensure that you get a cat that fits your energy level, be sure to research different breeds beforehand. However, it’s important that you play with every cat every day to give it the exercise it needs (and prevent unnecessary damage done to your household.)
More: 9 Tips for Bringing a New Kitten Home
7. Health
Getting a cat with as few health problems possible is a must if you want to get the most out of the relationship. While some health problems can’t be avoided, doing your best to choose a healthy kitten from the start can reduce certain risks. In fact, here is what to look for when choosing a cat or kitten:
- Bright eyes free of discharge
- Dry, clean ears
- A slightly moist and velvet nose
- White teeth, pale pink gums, and odor-free breath
- A round belly (not pot-bellied)
- A clean bottom
Although cats and kittens each have their own personalities, it’s important to look for signs of vitality or lameness to determine overall health.
More: 10 Tips for Choosing a Vet for Your Pet
8. Gender
Choosing a male or female cat is an important decision because of their distinct differences in personality. For example, female cats are typically more friendly and docile while male cats tend to be more assertive, aggressive, and will roam more frequently. Fortunately, once a male cat is neutered, he’ll become more “female-like” in personality.
Another important thing to consider when choosing the gender is the cost of fixing. The cost for spaying a female cat is more expensive than neutering a male cat. However, no matter what gender your cat is, be sure to fix it to help reduce unwanted animal populations.
More: 10 Plants to Keep Away from Pets
9. Age
When choosing a kitten, it should never be less than 8 weeks old. In fact, when getting pedigree kittens from reputable breeders, you will likely never get a kitten that is under 12 weeks old. The advantages for getting a kitten is that they are very playful, alert, tiny, and can be more easily trained. However, the disadvantages are that they’re much more fragile, energetic, and destructive.
Many people avoid choosing adult cats because they are seen as being less cute than kittens. However, choosing older cats come with a wide range of advantages. For example, older cats are more independent, typically less destructive, may already be spayed/neutered and have its vaccinations, more laid back, and more affectionate.
More: 10 Ways Pets Improve Your Health
10. Adoption
Whether you choose to get a cat or kitten, adoption should be considered. With so many unwanted cats and kittens, you should have no trouble finding the cat or kitten of your dreams. In fact, many shelters carry pedigrees as well.
Choosing a cat or kitten to bring into your life should never be taken lightly. With these 10 tips, you will be able to find the right cat to help bring more joy to your life.
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