Take the decision to get a kitten seriously. It’s a new family member, and you’ll be responsible for it. To make sure your new pet brings nothing but joy into your home and lives a long, happy life with you, approach the choice responsibly. In this article, we’ll cover:
- How to choose a kitten.
- Where to get a kitten.
- What to check before you buy or adopt.
- Which kittens are best for a house or a city apartment.
Are You Ready for a Kitten?
Before you get a kitten, answer these questions:
- Does everyone in the family want a cat? Talk to your household about your plans and listen to any concerns or wishes. A pet is a responsibility, and caring for it will involve the whole family. It’s important that everyone is ready to welcome and care for the animal.
- Is anyone in your family allergic to cats? Find out before a cat comes home.
- If you have other pets, will they accept a newcomer? Some dogs see small kittens as prey. An energetic, curious kitten can annoy a dignified adult cat. And it’s dangerous to leave rodents or birds alone with a kitten.
- Can you afford it? Look at your budget and make sure it covers a new pet. In the US, owning a cat typically costs about $1,000–$2,000 a year once you add up food, litter, vet care and pet insurance, and more in the first year. Keep a cat’s lifespan in mind: your budget needs to stretch over many years.
- Do you have enough time for a kitten? Look at your schedule and make sure your family won’t leave the kitten alone for long periods. Kittens need regular meals, a clean litter box and lots of playtime.
- Will your children get along with a new pet? To help kids and a cat live happily together, consider one of the best cat breeds for kids.
How to Choose a Kitten
Getting a kitten isn’t just about picking the cutest one. Decide on the breed (or mixed breed) and sex you want. The kitten should match your temperament, be healthy and well socialized and already have basic skills (eating on its own and using a litter box). If you’re choosing a purebred kitten, make sure it and its parents have all the right papers and health screening results for inherited diseases.
- Don’t buy based on photos and the seller’s description alone, and never send a deposit for a kitten you haven’t seen in person or on a live video call. Online kitten scams are very common.
- Meet the kittens ahead of time and see the conditions they live in.
- Meet the parents (at least the mother) and the rest of the litter, and compare them.
- Don’t be shy about asking questions and requesting the kitten’s documents, the parents’ registration papers and genetic test results.
- Check the kitten’s physical and behavioral health before you commit.
- See the living conditions and care for yourself.
Remember, you’re choosing a pet not for a day but for the next 15–20 years.
What to Look for When Choosing a Kitten
To avoid making a mistake, don’t rush to take a kitten home the moment you see it, even if you’ve fallen in love. Visit at least twice to watch the kitten, its mother and its littermates. Make sure the kitten and its siblings are happy and well cared for. If the animals look unhappy or neglected, or you’re not allowed to see the kitten in its usual environment, walk away.
What else to look for:
- Meet the kitten’s mother. She should look relaxed and content, not be afraid of people and feel comfortable around them. The mother has a big influence on a kitten’s personality.
- Check the living conditions. Look at the room where the mother and kittens live. It should be clean and warm, without unpleasant smells. Cages, dirt and strong odors are red flags. Ask to see the bowls and litter box the cats use; they should be clean. That’s a sign of good care.
- Ask the breeder or shelter how old the kitten is, and check whether it looks that age. Kittens shouldn’t leave their mother before 8 weeks, and pedigree breeders usually keep them until 12–13 weeks.
- Check the kitten’s sex to make sure it’s the boy or girl you want.
- Ask to see the kitten’s papers and the papers of its mother and father, to make sure the kitten is the breed the seller says. In the US, look for registration with the CFA or TICA; in the UK, the GCCF or TICA.
- Ask whether the kitten has seen a vet, whether it has had its vaccinations and parasite treatment, and whether genetic tests have been done. A responsible breeder will show you a vet record with all this information. By 12 weeks, a kitten should have had at least its first vaccinations.
- Ask to see the mother’s health records too, including vaccinations, parasite treatments and genetic test results.
- Ask about diet. Find out what the seller has been feeding the mother and kittens. Think about whether you can keep feeding the same food, and ask about alternatives.
- Ask whether the kitten uses a litter box and a scratching post. Visit more than once to see for yourself.
- Check socialization. Pick the kitten up and play with it for a bit. It shouldn’t panic, hiss, struggle to get away or arch its back. That kind of behavior isn’t typical of healthy, well-socialized kittens.
- Ask whether the kitten has a name and try calling it. Smart kittens may already respond at this age. If it doesn’t have a name yet, you can choose one from our list of cat names.
- Examine the kitten and check its health. Here’s how.
How to Choose a Healthy Kitten
A healthy kitten means fewer problems down the road. Responsible sellers won’t hide any inherited or other health problems. You should be able to examine the kitten before you buy it and have it checked by a vet if you have any doubts. Many good breeders offer a health guarantee and ask you to take the kitten to your own vet within a few days.
Kitten Health Checklist
- Look at the eyes. They should be bright and clear, without cloudiness, redness, discharge or tears.
- Look inside the ears. They should be clean, without dark crusts, redness or dirty wax, and they shouldn’t smell bad. Dirty ears can be a sign of ear mites, illness or poor care.
- Check the nose. It should be clean, without sores or discharge.
- The coat should be clean, smooth and shiny, without dandruff, signs of fleas or mats, and it shouldn’t smell bad.
- Look under the tail. It should be clean, with no signs of diarrhea or worms.
- Listen to the kitten breathe. There shouldn’t be any wheezing.
- The kitten shouldn’t be sneezing constantly; that’s a sign of illness.
- Check the skin. There shouldn’t be any wounds, sores or scabs.
- Check its weight. The kitten shouldn’t be skinny or overweight. A very bloated belly can be a sign of worms.
- Look inside the mouth. There shouldn’t be a bad smell, the gums should be pink, and the teeth should be clean and right for the kitten’s age.
- Healthy kittens are cheerful and playful, not listless, aggressive or withdrawn.
Small scratches on the neck are nothing to worry about; they’re usually marks from the mother cat carrying her kittens.
Where to Get a Kitten
There are several places to get a kitten:
- an animal shelter or rescue group;
- a registered breeder or cattery;
- a cat show;
- a private seller (a classified ad or online listing);
- a pet store.
Animal Shelters and Rescues
Pros:
- You save a life and make room for another animal in need.
- Adoption fees are low (usually about $50–$200 in the US) and typically include spaying or neutering, vaccinations and a microchip.
- Staff can tell you a lot about each cat’s personality, and kittens and adult cats of every kind are available, sometimes even purebreds.
Cons:
- Kittens’ background and parents are often unknown.
- Some shelter cats need extra patience to settle in.
Read our article: 11 reasons to adopt a kitten from a shelter.
Pet Stores
Pros:
- Convenient.
- Many US pet stores now partner with local shelters, so the cats they show are rescues available for adoption.
Cons:
- It’s always best to see a kitten where it was born and spent its first weeks with its mother; that tells you about its health and temperament. Pet stores don’t give you that chance.
- Kittens from different litters may be kept together, which makes them more likely to catch infections.
- Kittens spend all day in cages with crowds of people walking by, and then are left alone at night. That’s very stressful for them.
- Commercially bred kittens sold in pet stores often come from large-scale breeding operations with poor welfare. That’s why many US states and cities (including California, Maryland, Illinois and New York) ban pet stores from selling cats and dogs unless they come from shelters or rescues. In England, “Lucy’s Law” bans third-party sales of kittens and puppies under 6 months.
Private Sellers and Online Ads
Pros:
- Often a lower price.
- A chance to see the living conditions when you visit the seller’s home.
Cons:
- A high risk of being sold a mixed-breed kitten as a purebred.
- No papers to prove the kitten’s breed.
- No way to confirm where the kitten really came from.
- A high risk of scams, especially when sellers ask for payment before you’ve seen the kitten.
Registered Breeders and Catteries
The best way to buy a purebred kitten is from a registered breeder or cattery. Responsible breeders take responsibility for the kittens they sell. They give buyers detailed, honest information and answer all their questions. They should also support new owners after they take a kitten home.
Pros:
- A genuine pedigree.
- A chance to meet the parents and see their papers.
- Healthier kittens, thanks to health testing.
Cons:
- A higher price, justified by the benefits above.
How to Check a Breeder
A registered breeder is the best place to buy a purebred cat. But keep in mind that there are good and bad breeders, and it’s important to know the difference. Here’s how to tell whether a breeder is trustworthy.
A responsible breeder:
- Gives full information about the kitten and its parents and shares plenty of photos of the litter.
- Hides nothing and doesn’t dodge questions about the breed or specific cats. Knows the breed’s traits and its inherited health problems.
- Encourages you to visit the kittens more than once before buying.
- Raises the mother and kittens in the home, in clean, warm conditions, with proper care.
- Feeds the cats a quality, balanced diet and doesn’t cut corners.
- Insists that you meet the kitten’s parents (or at least the mother), gives you information about both, and shows you their papers.
- Doesn’t let kittens go before 12–13 weeks of age.
- Vaccinates kittens, treats them for parasites, has them checked by a vet and does genetic testing before they go to new homes, and provides health records.
- Socializes kittens early and tells buyers how (getting them used to household noises, new people and other pets).
- Registers kittens with a recognized cat registry (CFA, TICA or GCCF) and gives you the papers.
- Often shows cats and can prove it.
- Has a written sales contract that covers health guarantees and what happens if you can no longer keep the cat.
- Stays in touch and supports you after the sale.
An irresponsible breeder:
- Sells kittens younger than 8 weeks.
- Doesn’t have clear answers about the breed and avoids questions.
- Gets flustered when asked about the breed’s genetic problems or avoids answering.
- Breeds too many breeds and keeps too many cats in a small space.
- Says little about a kitten’s personality but brags a lot about titles.
- Bad-mouths other breeders and tells you not to buy from competitors.
- Charges extra for “rare” colors or unusually large or small size.
- Doesn’t ask where you’ll take the kitten or how you plan to care for it.
- Loses interest after the sale, doesn’t follow up and offers no support.
- Changes prices often or has no clear price list, which can be a sign of fraud.
- Doesn’t register kittens and says it isn’t necessary.
- Doesn’t vaccinate kittens or treat them for parasites.
Kitten or Adult Cat: Which Is Better?
To decide whether to get a kitten or an adult cat, you need to weigh many factors. Here, looks, sex and breed take a back seat. What matters is your temperament, age, family situation, whether you have children, your lifestyle and your living conditions.
Yes, people choose kittens more often, but mostly because they’re charming, cute and playful. Who wouldn’t want a living toy? But adult cats have plenty of advantages, too. And since many cats live to 18–20, don’t rule out an adult cat: it will have years to give you love and affection.
Kittens need more care and attention. At first, you’ll need to spend time socializing your kitten, helping it adjust to its new home and teaching it to use the litter box and scratching post. Kittens also need more vet care in their first year. You’ll need to create a safe, comfortable space for an active, curious little one.
Adult cats usually already know how to use the litter box and scratching post. They don’t need to be fed as often as kittens. You can get love, affection and companionship from an adult cat with much less effort. Adult cats are usually calmer and less active than lively kittens.
Pros of Getting a Kitten
- You’ll have more years together.
- Kittens have fewer behavior problems caused by bad past experiences.
- You can get more accurate information about its health and background.
Cons of Getting a Kitten
- Kittens need more vet care and attention.
- They need more of your time.
- They need to be fed more often.
Who Kittens Are Best For
- Families where someone is usually at home.
- Families with older children.
- Young, active families.
Who Should Get an Adult Cat
- Families with young children.
- Single working people and families who are out of the house most of the day.
- Seniors.
How to Choose a Cat for an Apartment
For apartment living, choose a calm kitten or an adult cat; affectionate breeds are a good fit. An apartment offers less room for a cat’s natural activity and hunting instincts, so consider one of these breeds:
Which Cats Are Best for a House?
Owners of houses with plenty of space (and perhaps a secure catio or cat-proofed yard) can choose more active, athletic cats:
- Bengal
- Abyssinian
- Siberian
- Kurilian Bobtail
- Russian Blue
- Norwegian Forest Cat
- Turkish Angora
- Siamese
- European Shorthair
How to Choose a Smart Cat
A cat’s intelligence depends on its breed and on how smart its parents are. Check out our list of the smartest cat breeds, and ask the breeder about the personalities of your kitten’s parents.
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