When all the options are cute and cuddly, how do you choose? This is the “problem” faced by anyone who decides to adopt a kitten.
Choosing the perfect kitten sometimes takes a little more… elegance than choosing a puppy, if only because puppies can sometimes back out of your race due to inherent qualities. If you know a puppy is likely to get huge or need hours of daily exercise and you’re looking for a small couch potato, this might be the choice for you.
Although there are large breed cats like the Maine Coon, you generally know what you’re getting with a kitten in terms of height, weight, coat, and exercise. But there are other details to consider and questions to ask before deciding which stuffed animal to take home.
History
Even young kittens have a past, so ask the adoption agency, shelter staff, or current owner what they know about your candidate’s origin story. A lot can happen in those first 8-12 weeks. Have they been with their mother since birth? Are they born in the wild or in a controlled environment? Did they meet people regularly or were they somewhat isolated? What about their litter mates? So many things that happen early in a kitten’s life can impact their mental and emotional development, although nothing is set in stone either. Find out as much as you can about where the kitten has been so you can better control where it goes.
Health
As with any adoption, you will need as complete a medical history as the current caregiver can provide. Be on the lookout for runny noses, crusty eyes, obvious sore or dirty spots under the tail that may indicate diarrhea, and dirty or infected ears. None of these issues make a kitten unadoptable, but they can also indicate that there is something wrong with the kitten’s long-term health that requires further investigation.
Also check your kitten’s teeth and gums. Anything other than white teeth and pink gums could indicate a health issue that you may not be ready to handle.
If you’re having trouble choosing between candidates, these issues could tip the scales one way or the other.
Either way, after choosing your kitten, schedule a visit to your veterinarian within the first week of returning home. Just to be sure!
Breed
Although a cat’s breed isn’t talked about as often as it is with dogs, there are 45 recognized breeds, according to the Cat Fanciers Association, each with their own set of traits, from hair length to personality style. Some breeds, like the fluffy Persian, require more grooming than others. Some breeds are lazy and quiet; others are active and vocal.
However, your standard domestic cat is so far removed from any “official” breed that it can be hard to tell by looking what its lineage might be. Even “common” kittens that look like, say, a ragdoll cat, may have no connection to the breed apart from a physical appearance. The best way to find out how a kitten might mature, whether physically, mentally, or emotionally, is to take a look at its parents.
Personal connection
When you adopt a pet, whether it’s a puppy, kitten or baby alligator, the thing that matters most when making your choice is the personal connection you make. So many people, when adopting a pet, say, “I knew it as soon as I laid eyes on them.” But check out that gut reaction by lying down and snuggling, playing, and getting to know the kittens up close. When you know, you know.
And often, that’s all you or they need.
RELATED ARTICLE: WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN ADOPTING A KITTEN
