New Cat
Tips for buying a new cat
Buying a cat involves a lot more than heading to your local pet store and taking home the first cute kitten you see. You've got to shop smart when you're looking for a new cat, and that involves dealing with reputable cat breeders or, if you want an adult pet, adopting a cat from a registered animal protection agency.
Qualities to Look for in a New Cat
Whether you go kitten shopping at a pet store or choose to deal with cat breeders, there are desirable qualities to look for in a new cat. Physical markers of a healthy kitten include:
- Bright, clear and alert eyes
- A clean nose and clean ears
- A healthy, thick and shiny coat
- Healthy, pink gums
- Playfulness
- Avoid kittens with patchy fur and lumpy or scabby skin
Both cat breeders and pet stores should provide kittens that have had their first inoculations and are free of parasites and fleas. All kittens should be at least six to eight weeks old before they're sold, and you should only deal with merchants that let you take the kitten to your vet for a checkup before committing to the sale. Cat breeders should also provide you with registration papers if your kitten is of purebred pedigree.
Adopting an Adult Cat
If you're going to be adopting a cat from a local animal shelter, you should be prepared to fill out a questionnaire prior to getting the agency's approval. The purpose of the cat adoption questionnaire is to match pets with suitable owners; the agency's responsibility is not only to ensure that its animals wind up in safe places, but also that you take home a pet that's suitable for your lifestyle.
You may also be asked to provide supporting documentation, including a driver's license, proof of home ownership or, if you rent, a current, valid lease agreement that explicitly states that pets are permitted in your rental unit. Your best bet is to call ahead to make sure you can meet all requirements when you visit the agency.
Choosing a Cat Name
If you've adopted an adult cat, it may well already have a name that it knows and responds to. It will be easier for your new cat if you keep this name intact. If you want to change it, you should choose something that sounds similar.
Selecting a good cat name for a new kitten is a matter of matching your pet with a name that reflects its personality. This is best done by spending some time observing the kitten before settling on a name, and remember: you can always change your cat's name later. Just make sure you don't change it too often and give your cat enough time to adjust to its new moniker to prevent confusion.
