Choosing a kitten from a litter is a very fun process. Not only is it exciting to know that you’re about to take home a brand new kitten, but the process of looking at a litter and finding out which one is right for you is a great experience. When you view the litter, look at their behavior, how do they react when they see you? Are they playful, confident, and bright? Or did they all seem shy, withdrawn, and sluggish? Be sure to take mental notes.
After you have taken stock of the entire litter, and got a sense of the kitten group as a whole, it is now time to search for the one that has the right personality to fit your desires. Do not rush this process. Take your time, have fun, and enjoy playing with all of the kittens.
When searching for that perfect kitten from different breeders in your area, you have the right to ask as many questions as you want and to get as much information as you can. Do not be shy about asking even the simplest of questions if you feel it is necessary to help you in making your decision.
Below are two important questions that you must ask the breeder before purchasing a cat:
1. Be sure to ask the breeder if their cats are tested for diseases that may be infectious. Regardless of their answer, request to have the kitten personally checked out by your choice of veterinarian before you decide to make the purchase. It is safe to say that if they denied your request, then your only choice is to leave and find another breeder who is willing. An honest and reputable breeder will also have their animals tested for infectious diseases at all times, as well as maintaining solid records of these testing periods.
The CFA (Cat Fancier’s Association) reports that only a small number of cats are actually labeled as “pedigree”. This number is between 3-5% of the entire cat population. What does pedigreed mean? The term pedigreed describes a cat that is bred from a particular parentage and conforms to the specific standard of what the breed should look like. Pedigree breeds are registered with the CFA or another similar type organization called the International Cat Association (ICA).
You could compare these organizations similar to the AKC that pertains to dogs. However, unlike dog breeds, there are only approximately 50 cat breeds that are recognized by these groups, and these breeds are very rare.
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