FINDING YOUR IDEAL CAT

A cat is a great family pet if you are at work all day and haven't enough time for a dog. However, although people often think cats are aloof and independent don't forget they do like human company and can get lonely on their own. Cats are also very long-lived and 12-15 years is now a common lifespan. If you buy a kitten for your kids remember the cat will still be part of the family long after your children have left home! Cats tend to roam a lot and can easily get hit by cars so veterinary care can be expensive - don't forget to budget for veterinary bills. Consider taking out pet insurance to cover against major illness or accidents.

How To Choose?
Where To Look?
Choosing The Pet For Your Pet?

Buying a Kitten Sight Unseen
You can buy a cat you have never seen if it´s a rare or unusual breed that you´ve had your heart set on. But this sort of transaction requires a lot of trust by both parties, and you want to be sure you are dealing with a reputable breeder. If your have a trusted breeder then go ahead with the purchase, and have the cat shipped to you through an airline. Also see the cat travel tips on traveling by air in the "Travelling" category.

Testing a Kittens Personality
How to learn about a kitten´s temperament:

Play with the kitty - take the kitten away from her
littermates to evaluate her interest level.

Check out her personality and how she reacts to you.

Don´t just take the first kitten you see - take your time and
check them all out. The one you pass up may have been a better
match for you.

Bring some toys to see how playful the kitten is, if she is
unafraid of people, and is outgoing and not shy.

Ideal Age to Adopt a Kitten
Kittens benefit from the extra time with the brothers and sisters for the first twelve to fourteen weeks, so most people think that´s the ideal age to adopt a kitten. Some breeders will not let their kittens go to their new home before the age of 14 or even 16 weeks, because that´s when the kitten´s immune system is fully developed, and that gives the kitten a good amount of time to be nicely socialized.

What to consider in a Kitten
Many people make their choices based on a kittens looks. Some people prefer longhairs over shorthairs, calicoes over gray tabbies or hairless over bobtails. Looking for a beautiful cat is no problem, but make sure your kitty is more than just gorgeous. You need a cat that has a temperament you can live with, and that most importantly, that he´s had adequate cat health care. Evaluating both of these things takes a little time.