If you’ve decided you want to bring the joy of a kitten to your life, you have two options: buying or adopting. Here’s what to think about when you’re making this big decision so that you can be sure you’re welcoming a happy, healthy pet to your home.
When you visit the kitten
Before committing yourself, always visit the kitten and meet its mother in the place it was bred. They should stay with their mothers until they’re around 8-9 weeks (taking them away earlier than this can lead to problems with their behaviour).
A kitten should be sociable and alert, with bright eyes and no visible health problems. Work through our Kitten Checklist to help you remember what to look out for and ask, such as:
- Can you see the kitten with his/her mother?
- Is the mother healthy? Friendly?
- Are there many other cats or litters of kittens in the home?
- Is the kitten’s environment clean?
- Does the kitten look healthy?
- By the end of your visit was the kitten friendly? Nervous? Fearful?
It’s worth bearing in mind that purebred cats can be more prone to health problems. In addition, don’t buy a kitten younger than six months old from anyone other than the breeder. Not only is it illegal, it’s a warning sign that the kitten could be illegally farmed.
