Choosing a Kitten or Cat
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Considering getting a kitten or cat? There are cats of all ages in need of homes. Older cats can provide the perfect companion older individuals. Whether you get your cat or kitten from a breeder, shelter or neighbor’s litter, the cat’s appearance, demeanor and living quarters can tell you a lot about the health of the animal.

Other things to consider:

• The best time to adopt a kitten is between 10-14 weeks of age. However, the ideal age can vary depending on a number of factors. These include whether or not the kitten has been abandoned by its mother, whether or not he has siblings, the age at which he received his core vaccinations and how much
  
• human interaction he is having. The most important part of a kitten's development is to have as much contact with humans as possible, starting as young as 2 weeks of age. This socialization process helps kittens become more confident, outgoing and affectionate with people.
  
• If adopting a kitten, he/she should be outgoing, active, curious and alert. The kitten should not exhibit hostile behavior or fear.
  
• Make sure there is no discharge from the cat’s nose or eyes, no skin irritations or red blotches and no bald patches.
  
• Look for a shiny coat, clean ears, white teeth and pink gums.
  
• Check around the tail to be certain there is no evidence of diarrhea or inflammation.
  
• Make sure the cat’s living quarters are clean and odor-free.
  
• Do the cat’s caregivers – whether that is a breeder, shelter volunteer or current pet owner – exhibit affection and concern for the animal?
  
• If selecting a purebred cat, ask to see at least one of the parents. You should also be given registration papers as well as a record of vaccinations and any other medical treatment the cat has received. The breeder should ask questions about the kind of care and home you will provide.

If you have a multi-cat household, try selecting a cat or kitten that has lived with other cats. A cat that is similar in age and sex to the resident cat will be accepted more readily. A kitten is ideal. Your veterinarian will also have suggestions for acclimating a new cat to the household.

For more information, visit www.purina.com