Domestic cats are the most popular furry pets for modern families and single people. These affectionate creatures decorate life, create a cozy and comfortable home environment, teach children kindness and compassion, instill responsibility and brighten up the evenings. Having decided to get a mustachioed companion, the future owner wants to know how to choose the right kitten. There are many factors to consider in this matter.
How to choose the right kitten?
Felines are more adapted to life in a city apartment than other animals. They don't need too much space and don't require much care. In addition, the graceful purr is so independent, self-sufficient and self-sufficient that it will not suffer from loneliness and lack of attention if you are at work all day and lead an active social life.
They have a great time on their own, needing only a small amount of food and minimal care. The very first thing you need to decide is which kitten to choose: a purebred aristocrat with a pedigree or a baby from
shelter.
Abyss of goodness: change your unfortunate fate - adopt an animal from a shelter
The world will not be happy as long as there are homeless animals in it. By chance or by evil people, there are many helpless kittens on the street. And all would be fine, as a rule, they are fed and often given affection by friendly passers-by - the world is not without kind people.
But there are also plenty of moral defects in it. There are many dangers for a homeless child on the street: knackers, cars, merciless cold. Why would a healthy lout kick a cute kitten, breaking its jaw?
Why would a lonely old woman, instead of bringing warm milk to a harmless fluffy, raise her hand to him and kick him out of the entrance into the cold?
In a word, by adopting a kitten from a shelter or just from the street, you will do the greatest thing. In addition to saving at least one soul from misfortune, you will also get happiness back a hundredfold. After all, furry foundlings are much more affectionate and loyal than purebred cats.
Due to circumstances, they have a very flexible and responsive character. They can take phenomenal care of you, saving you from depression with their energy, curing you from illnesses and giving you true strong love. If you know the power of unconditional magical love, then you understand what we are talking about...
Where to take a baby: all the pros and cons
None of the available locations are ideal. The final choice is made individually depending on your goals and wishes.
Nursery
The safest place to purchase purebred animals is a nursery. The identity of the breed is confirmed here by pedigree. Staff meet with parents. The owner is explained the nuances of maintenance and care, provided with support when participating in exhibitions and breeding, and given full advice before and after purchasing the animal. All pets – both small and adult – are treated for parasites and vaccinated.
The only disadvantage of the nursery is the high prices. Not everyone is ready to spend a lot of money, so they prefer more affordable options.
Shelter
Shelters are public and private. The latter are often subsidized by municipal authorities. If the breed of your future furry friend is not important to you, give a home to one of the shelter animals. Sometimes not only stray animals picked up by volunteers end up there, but also purebred cats that are lost or thrown into the street by careless owners.
Due to crowded housing, these cats often become infected, so be sure to get checked by a veterinarian. Despite possible illnesses, furry pupils are often toilet trained, sterilized and vaccinated. Due to their difficult fate, they do not always trust people, but in caring hands they quickly thaw and respond with mutual love and devotion.
Market
You need to be very careful when choosing a cat at the poultry market. Buyers are often deceived here - sick animals are sold under the guise of healthy ones, and yard murks are passed off as elite breeds. Such places are attractive due to their prices, but often much more money is spent on the treatment of a new family member.
For private individuals
Buying purebred animals through private advertisements is a difficult and unsafe business. Fraud in this area is not uncommon. It’s safer to buy through relatives, friends or acquaintances: if kittens are given away by someone you know, then the likelihood of fraud is negligible. Such animals have been socialized since childhood and treat people well. The only downside is that it is almost impossible to take a purebred animal for free.
A private breeder, like a shelter, provides documents for purebred cats, but sometimes you can do without this formality - then the cost of the animal will be significantly lower. This way you will get a purebred pet at a reasonable price, but you will not be able to breed it and participate in exhibitions.
From the street
This is the most noble, but also the most problematic option. Having picked up an animal from the street, you will have to spend time adapting to an unusual life for it. Those kittens that were born and raised on the street will be shy and even aggressive. It will take weeks and even months to tame them. Animals that have lived indoors and been released outside will be more socialized and perhaps even toilet trained.
Stray kittens are often infected. This is dangerous for other pets and humans. Visit your veterinarian before bringing your foundling into your home.
At first, you will have to monitor the amount of food you eat: a baby and even an adult cat will eat everything they give him. Without strict control, overeating and subsequent digestive problems cannot be avoided.
Toilet training is no less difficult. It is recommended to take a vacation during the adaptation period - this way you can monitor the behavior of the new family member and quickly let him get used to you.
Oddly enough, cats know how to be grateful for being saved. Like dogs, they remember the kindness of their owner for the rest of their lives - especially if they were adopted as adults.
How to choose a kitten: for the purity of the breed
Of course, you have the right to choose a purebred naughty dog with a special coat, texture and disposition. Then you can proudly show him to your friends, praising his aristocratic features and the complexity of his nature.
Do you have a lot of free time? With the help of such a fluffy baby, you can meaningfully fill this time. Cat shows, battles in competitions for medals and a breeding mission. This is a great fun hobby.
In this case, it is best to buy a kitten from a special nursery. This is a guarantee of the purity of the pedigree and the health of the baby, which is confirmed by documents. Here they will give qualified advice on the care and maintenance of a kitten of the exact breed you purchased.
Each of them has its own feeding habits, character, etc. And in the future, you will be provided with support for participation in competitions and breeding. It should be noted that buying purebred kittens at exhibitions or from friends is a certain risk. It's better to contact real professionals.
Munchkin
Photo Credit: mila-sera Flickr via Compfight The Munchkin is a real cat dachshund.
A very funny breed with a very interesting history. In fact, all currently existing representatives of this breed descended from one cat named Ezhevichka. The owner of Ezhevichka did not breed this breed on purpose, but simply picked up a cat that was already pregnant at that time on the street. When the cat gave birth to kittens, Sandra Hochnel (the owner) noticed that half of them were short-legged. Since then, cats with short legs have become a separate breed of munchkin cats or, translated into Russian, karapuz. Although, if you are offered to buy a munchkin kitten, and the kitten’s legs are quite long, do not rush to blame the seller for wanting to deceive you, since long-legged munchkins also exist. The short legs of munchkins do not in any way prevent them from being very active and playful animals who love communication with both children and other animals. It’s very funny to watch how munchkins, with their short legs, try to quietly steal a tasty morsel from the table. The hind legs of this breed are usually longer than the front legs, which causes the body to rise from the front to the back, making the cat look even more funny.
Lifespan: 12-15 years.
Weight and size: height -18-20 cm, average weight of a cat - 3-4 kg, cats - 2-3 kg.
Care: all care for munchkins consists of periodic brushing, which these cats perceive quite favorably. Short-haired munchkins need to be brushed once every few weeks, while long-haired munchkins need to be brushed twice a week.
A kitten with character: choose by breed
Each cat breed has its own personality traits. Therefore, all purebred cats can be divided into three groups.
- Unusually sociable. There are free cats, but there are sociable ones and even, you will be surprised, clingy ones. These include Siamese, Bengal and Oriental cats, the German Rex and the Canadian Sphynx.
- Calm breeds are affectionate, gentle, but without an obsessive need for attention, cats are not aggressive and neutral in their expression of emotions. These include Curl, Siberian, Burmilla, Russian Blue and Norwegian forest breeds.
- Dictator cats. They are particularly proud and commanding felines that have much in common with wild cats, without ever becoming pliable and unconditionally tame. An example is the Persian and British breeds, as well as the Bobtail and Maine Coon.
Manx
Photo Credit: gfacegrace Flickr via Compfight Another feline native to Maine, but this time from the Isle of Man.
This is where the name of the breed comes from. A distinctive feature of this breed is the absence of a tail, or a very short tail, as well as medium-length hair. Manx get along well with people, as they can subtly sense a person’s mood. With all this, Manx are excellent hunters and guards. Like a real watchdog, the Manx can begin to growl threateningly if he suddenly decides that something is a danger to him or your family. If suddenly the need arises to change the family for a cat, the Manx easily adapts to new people and a new environment. Manxes are very obedient cats, and if you tell him not to scratch the sofa with his claws, he won't do it. However, in this case, it is better for you to offer him a scratching post instead of the sofa as an alternative.
Lifespan: 8-14 years.
Weight and size: height - 18-23 cm, weight - 3-6 kg
Care: brushing once or twice a week, more often during shedding.
How to choose a kitten: male or female?
Do not consider it discriminatory, but the gender of the kitten is also an important choice. After all, the behavioral characteristics of cats strongly depend on gender. There are many cat lovers who prefer only one of the sexes.
Kitties are more domestic, sedate and “cozy”. Of course, you may be intimidated by fiddling with her offspring. But your favorite purring dog can be sterilized or its “spring moods” can be treated with tablets. True, this is somewhat harmful to the baby’s health. But approach the issue wisely, and everything will be fine.
As for the cat: if you don’t want to deal with breeding, castrate him. Then you will be protected from “seasonal serenades” and marked corners. By nature, cats are more freedom-loving and lax.
How to choose a kitten: love at first sight
Finding your exact kitten is like finding love. There are many wonderful kittens, but only one will truly appeal to you and be spiritually close to you. Therefore, before purchasing, first communicate with the animal in its usual conditions of detention.
Be sure to observe his behavior in the company of his brothers. This way you can understand the individual character of kittens and figure out whose habits are closer to you.
A leader kitten or a hermit kitten, an easygoing baby or a bully? Choose with your heart! In addition, some of the kittens may take a special liking to you and immediately go into your arms to cuddle, while others will shy away and run away. You shouldn’t choose only based on beauty – be sure to pay attention to such important points...
