Who can resist the cuteness of a little kitten? These fun fur balls can grow into adult cats that, when properly cared for, can accompany you for years. However, buying a kitten is not as easy as choosing the cutest cat among the rest. It is very important that you know how much process it takes to buy a kitten and determine if having a kitten is the right thing for you.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Determining Are You Ready to Buy a Kitten
Step 1. Analyze your budget
If you are planning to buy a kitten, you should consider the short-term and long-term costs of owning a cat. In its first years, a kitten costs around 500,000 to 3,000,000 rupiah, depending on how much you want to spend on it. A lower amount represents the least amount of money you need to provide for your cat's needs, and a higher number represents the total cost if you have a lot of money.
- If the average cat lives up to 15 years, you should consider whether you can make that long financial commitment to a pet. It's best to think about this before buying a kitten.
- Even though it's cheaper to own a cat than a dog, there are still some expenses to be made to meet needs such as food, toys, accessories, and emergency veterinary care.
Step 2. Determine if you have time to pet a kitten
Cuteness aside, kittens will need a lot of time during the day. Every day, you have to feed him, change his water, and clean his litter box. Every few days, you should replace the sand in the box.
- Don't forget to play. Kittens will need lots of playtime each day, several times a day, to channel energy. Playtime before bed is very important so that the cat is tired and can sleep.
- In addition to playtime, kittens also need more peaceful interactions with you, such as sleeping on your lap or cuddling with you.
- Quality time with the kitten also includes some basic training, such as teaching where to paw or how to use the litter box.
- Kittens who have lots of quality time and interaction with their owners will have fewer behavioral problems as they grow up.
Step 3. Consider whether you have the patience to handle a new kitten
This playful furball can be a little crush as he explores his new surroundings. Kittens are very curious animals, so a kitten will want to get to know everything in your home, even if that means jumping over all your furniture or trying to climb up the curtains.
- The kitten may want to dig up your plants, jump into the sink, or explore the inside of your toilet.
- Fortunately, kittens tend to be less active and less curious when they reach one year of age. However, you should determine if you have the patience to wait a year for him to settle down.
- If you can be patient, make your home safe for the cat to prevent him from hurting himself (or destroying your house) while he's exploring. For example, keep all toxic objects out of reach, close the toilet lid, and hide any small objects (for example, safety pins, string, and rubber bands) that he could ingest.
Step 4. Determine if your other pets can accept the new kitten
Introducing a new pet to your home can be a little difficult, especially if the new pet is a kitten. For example, dogs may see kittens as prey. Also, depending on the age and temperament of your other pet, a new, always active and curious kitten can be annoying and stressful for other pets.
- If you have a bird, the kitten will be attracted to it, stressing the bird.
- If you decide to buy a kitten and have another pet, don't leave him alone with the pet until you're sure the two of you get along.
- A good breeder, rescue group, or animal shelter will ask if you have other pets when you explain that you want to buy a kitten.
Part 2 of 4: Buying a Kitten from a Shelter or Animal Rescue Group
Step 1. Visit an animal shelter in your area
Once you've decided to buy a kitten, you'll notice that there are many different places to look for kittens, such as shelters or cat breeders. Where to buy a kitten is up to you, but you should research all the possibilities before making a decision.
- Animal shelters are good places to look for kittens. Kittens at the shelter have received basic veterinary care and have been neutered.
- The behavior of kittens from shelters has also been assessed by veterinarians. Knowing your kitten's personality can help determine if it will suit you and your home.
- Shelters know a lot about the animals that live there and can provide useful information on how to care for kittens before bringing them home.
Step 2. Research animal rescue groups in your area
Animal rescue groups are another good option for purchasing kittens. Often, rescue groups coordinate with animal shelters to provide homes for adoptable pets to keep shelters from overcrowding.
If you're looking for a specific breed of cat, you can find it in a specific breed animal rescue group
Step 3. Ask questions
When visiting animal shelters and groups, ask the staff there lots of questions about the practices at the site. For example, when at a shelter, ask if it's a shelter that doesn't kill animals. This shelter will not euthanize the animals if they are not adopted within a certain period of time.
- You can also ask what type of veterinary care the animals are getting.
- Also, you should ask about the adoption process at the shelter and what happens if the kitten gets sick when you bring it home.
- If you've identified a particular breed of kitten you'd like, ask about his history: how old he is, where he's from, what type of vet care he's had, and so on.
- Ask as many questions as you can think of.
Part 3 of 4: Buying Kittens from Breeders
Step 1. Visit a cat breeder in your area
If you are looking for a specific breed of cat, you may have to buy one from a breeder. Be aware that not all breeding grounds are good breeders. Some of them don't follow ethical breeding practices and are just trying to make a lot of money. It's important to research breeders carefully before buying a kitten.
- Don't buy a kitten from a breeder without researching the home first. Take a look around the house to make sure everything is clean and well lit.
- Check whether the number of kittens is very large or not. Excessive numbers indicate that the breeder prioritized quantity over quality and does not really care about proper cat care.
- A good breeder will separate male and female cats. You may notice the smell of urine that usually comes from male cats (male cats are not very clean during breeding season). As long as the smell isn't musty (indicating a lack of hygiene), you don't have to worry about it.
- A good breeder will also separate adult cats (except mother) from kittens to prevent transmission of the virus from kittens to adult cats. Separating kittens and adult cats also prevents kittens from getting germs from other adult cats.
- Watch adult cats and kittens to see if they are all healthy and well cared for (good body condition and healthy looking coat).
Step 2. Ask questions
Just like at a shelter or animal rescue group, it's important to ask the breeder lots of questions. An ethical and responsible breeder will be happy to answer all your questions and will even ask you a few questions.
- Since intense breeding can cause genetic defects, ask the breeder how he can prevent or reduce the development of genetic diseases in his cats. A responsible breeder will not only explain how to do this, but will also be honest with you about the possibility that the kitten has a genetic disorder.
- Ask if the kittens have been tested for infectious diseases and how sick cats are handled at the breeding site. A good breeder will be able to answer these questions and provide documentation of the veterinary treatment the cat has received.
- You can also ask what kind of food he feeds the kitten. Kittens that are fed high-quality food after feeding are likely to grow up to be healthy cats.
- The breeder may ask several questions to determine if you are going to be a responsible pet owner. Just as you want to trust that the breeder will sell you a healthy, well-adjusted kitten, he or she wants to feel confident that you will take care of the kitten you buy.
Step 3. Read the health warranty and contract
Responsible breeders will have a health warranty and a written contract to sign and agree to before buying a kitten. This document will protect you and the breeder after the transaction and explain everything there is to know about buying a kitten before signing it.
Read the document carefully and ask a few questions about the content of the document
Step 4. Don't buy a kitten from a pet store
This is self-explanatory! Just like the puppies in a pet store come from a puppy mill (inappropriate dog breeding grounds), the cute kittens you see there (especially independent pet stores) likely came from a kitten mill.
- Pet shop employees will not be as concerned about animal care as employees at a shelter or animal rescue agency. At a pet store, the staff will care more about sales than making sure you buy the best kitten possible.
- Luckily, many pet stores don't sell puppies or cats. Instead, the stores will hold adoption fairs there. This exhibition will be attended by a shelter or animal rescue group in your area that has several pets that can be raised on the spot.
Step 5. Do not buy kittens from the internet
It would be very easy to go to some websites and see all the adorable kittens for sale there. However, just as you shouldn't buy kittens from a breeder (unless you've visited the breeder), you shouldn't buy kittens online because you can't see them in person.
- There are several options for finding some adoptable kittens around your home. The website https://theshelterpetproject.org/ lets you see which kittens can be adopted in your area. You can then visit the shelter to see the kitten in person.
- Many shelters and animal rescue groups have websites where you can view photos of cats that can be kept.
Part 4 of 4: Assessing Kittens
Step 1. Choose the right time to research the kitten
Before buying a kitten, you should examine the kitten to make sure it is a good fit for you. The best time to watch a kitten's behavior is before it eats. Just like adult cats, kittens tend to get sleepy after eating.
- If the kitten is already playing with his siblings, he may be too tired to show his personality.
- Depending on where you bought the kitten (home, rescue group, breeder), it's a good idea to ask when the kitten is most active.
Step 2. Pay attention to how the kitten interacts in its environment
You'll be able to learn a lot about a kitten's personality based on how it interacts with other animals and people around it. This interaction can help you determine if he is right for you. For example, a playful, but not aggressive, kitten with his siblings shows that he is confident but not a bully kitten.
- Kittens who play well with their siblings can also socialize well. Kittens who are good at socializing are less likely to have behavioral problems later in life.
- Kittens who are hiding from siblings and other people may not be ready for adoption, or may not be adoptable at all. He may need time to socialize.
- Ask the employee or breeder how often the kitten is handled. How often he is held and whether he feels comfortable being held are good indications of his ability to socialize with people.
- Pay attention to the mother and her siblings. How well everyone interacts with each other and other people can give you a clue as to which kitten you like.
Step 3. Interact with the kitten
After researching the kitten from a distance, it's very important that you interact with the kitten yourself. Sit on the floor and see if he approaches and interacts with you. A confident and very inquisitive kitten will approach you without any fear.
- Encourage the kitten to play with you. You can ask staff or breeders for toys that are safe for kittens to use with kittens.
- After playing with the kitten, try lifting him up. If he's used to being held by different people, he probably won't mind being held by you. He may struggle, but won't hiss or bite you.
- If it's your first time around a kitten, you should ask the staff or breeder about how to interact with kittens safely.
Step 4. Perform a physical examination of the kitten
In addition to assessing the kitten's personality, you should also assess its general health. Even if your vet has examined it, it would be best if your trusted veterinarian did it yourself. It's best to have your kitten examined before adoption, not after.
- The vet will examine the kitten from head to toe and listen to its lungs and heart. The vet will also perform an orthopedic and neurological examination of the kitten.
- The vet will also check for fleas, ear parasites, and digestive parasites on the cat.
- Indications of good health include a good body condition (not too thin or fat), soft fur, clean ears, white teeth and pink gums, and a clean buttocks.
- Kittens do not need to have documents showing their health before you adopt the kitten. However, you should know about his health and physical condition before bringing him home.
Tips
- Buying a kitten is a long term commitment. Doing a lot of preparation now can keep you and your kitten less frustrated and happier later.
- Buying a kitten from a shelter or animal rescue group will be less expensive than buying a kitten from a breeder.
- Kittens are usually ready for adoption when they are 12 weeks old. This will give him time to wean from his mother, build a strong immune system, and learn good social skills. Kittens adopted before 12 weeks may have behavioral problems later in life.
- If you can afford it, consider buying two kittens instead of just one. It's better to have two kittens now than to try to get a new cat in the house when your cat is an adult and independent.
- Feel free to leave the shelter, rescue group, or breeder if you are not satisfied with what you see. You should buy a kitten from a place where you are comfortable.
Warning
- Unethical breeding grounds will treat kittens in miserable conditions. Do your research to avoid buying kittens from unethical breeders.
- Kittens from unethical breeding or unsanitary shelters or animal groups can have serious physical and behavioral problems growing up. You can be overwhelmed with this both emotionally and financially.
