Page 14 - Complete Cat Care: How To Keep Your Cat Healthy and Happy

Finding the right cat

Once you have decided that you are ready for the responsibility of being
a cat owner, your search for the ideal pet begins. There are plenty of
options, but you need to choose carefully to be sure of a happy outcome.

Where to look for a cat Visiting a breeder
Registered breeders are the most Make an appointment with your
reliable people to approach if you chosen breeder to view a litter, and
are looking for a pedigree cat (see arrive armed with a list of points
pp.14–15) For a non-pedigree cat, to look out for and questions to ask.
try rescue centers, your vet, or If you are a first-time owner, do
friends and neighbors that you some homework in anticipation of
know well. Be wary of buying a the visit—both on the particular
kitten or cat through a classified breed you have come to look at
advertisement, especially one that and on cat care in general. Good
also advertises a selection of other breeders want their kittens to go to
pets. The reality behind these responsible owners, so expect to
offers may be animals that are have to answer questions as well △ Picking a pedigree
Breeders sometimes have kittens ready for
reared in substandard conditions as ask them. viewing, but you may have to wait until a litter
that leave them unprotected against You should be satisfied that the is due and book ahead to make a visit.
diseases. For the same reason, it is kittens are being kept in a clean,
best not to buy kittens from a pet uncrowded, homely environment. remove young kittens from their
shop. Although many pet shops are It is also important to see them family, you cannot judge their
highly reputable, some may acquire with their mother and siblings. behavior well if they are presented
their stock from dubious sources. Apart from being poor practice to to you separately.

“Do not allow
yourself to fall for
a kitten simply

because it looks in
need of extra love.”

It should be obvious whether or
not the kittens have been well
socialized and are used to being
handled. This would have been
achieved by speaking to, playing
with, and holding them from a
young age. If a breeder has
neglected this side of their welfare

◁ Family group
Always ask to see young kittens together with
their mother and siblings. They should not
be removed from their family and shown to
you separately.

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