Buying a New Kitten

Lets start off with a few quick questions that you should ask yourself.

1. What personality do you want?
2. Better yet, what personality truly fits with your lifestyle, experience level and patience?
3. What energy level are you prepared to handle?
4. Is  your home ready for a kitten?
5. Do you know what plants are poisonous  to cats?
6. Have you considered the effects a kitten will have on any current animals, children or other family member you have in your home?
7. If you have lost an animal recently are you sure you have grieved properly and are ready to commit to a new animal?

How to find and buy from an Ethical Breeder

After choosing  your cat breed based of you lifestyle, experience and over all compatibility you can start to research ethical cat breeders. An ethical cat breeder  is one with a code of  moral and some time spiritual ethics.  These ethics and morals should revolve around the welfare of the cats and buyer.

Step one -  Finding a Breeder:

First  you need to figure out what is important to you.  This can be as simple as the the kitten is litter box trained or as complex as champion pedigree show cat.  Visit your breeder if possible.  Many breeders do not allow visits due to many environmental factors such as the transfer of  something from a customers clothing such as ringworm that can live up to two years with out a host!!!!!!  Please try to look at this from the breeders perspective. The welfare of the cats should be considered at all time.

If the breeders does agree to a visit  PLEASE  wash your hands and wash them often. The idea is to avoid spreading anything between cats or to yourself.  A good breeder should have hand sanitizer on hand or hand wipes.

Step 2 -  Take time to notice behavior, ask questions!

If you have questions before you visit make a list to take with you.  A good breeder should give you all the pros and cons to anything you ask.  Some times it’s easier for a breeder to take a list and email you more information.

You will probably already have a kitten chosen when you visit a certain cattery but please take the time to look at all the kittens.  A big mistake made by buyers is forgetting to think about choosing the correct personality instead of the “cutest” kitten they see.

When watching the kittens look  for the personality, energy and over attitude.  Ask the breeder what they think the best type of home for a certain kitten will be.

Some owners claim  "People don't pick cats, they pick you."  Others go off the look in a cat’s eye.  But once you see that special something in a kitten you need to take another step, take the kitten into a room with out other cats.  Hold the kitten and play with it. Try and get a good feel for the kittens personality.

If your wanting a lap cat make sure to watch if the kitten will stay with you or try to get down. One cat may not like to be held,  while another will beg for your affection.

Check list for new kitten litter box habits

1)  When you first get a kitten you need to establish boundaries and limit. A kitten or cat should be kept in one room with a litter box in the area.

2) Make sure the litter box is big enough for the kitten and that its not to high to get into.

3)  You should not over feed a kitten. Your kittens need to be on a feeding schedule so they have predictable bowel moments. Remember kittens are like kids being potty trained, they need a consistent schedule.

    4)  At night a kitten should be kept in a contained area with a litter box