We learned a lot about choosing the right cat for our family, though no two pets are alike and family circumstances vary. Here are a few suggestions:
1. When getting a kitten from a family, does the mother cat appear healthy? If not, she may have passed a condition to her kittens. If she displays a bad disposition, her kittens may share that tendency. Play with and cuddle the babies to see how they respond.
2. When selecting from a breeder, look at the animal’s living quarters. Ask about possible inherited disorders or family history for conditions like feline leukemia and find out if the seller offers a replacement warranty within a certain time period.
3. At pet stores, note whether the kitten is active, oriented to people, and friendly with other cats. Kittens that are shy, quiet, fearful, or aggressive may not make good pets. Consider similar behaviors when visiting a community animal shelter.
4. Strays should be checked for worms, fleas, inbred, inherited, or communicable diseases and other disorders. For $30 a vet can test for FELV (feline leukemia virus) or FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus), which often is fatal. Males and females both can get urinary blockages, but more males die from it. Look for cat foods that are prepared with ingredients that help avoid this problem.
5. Teach children to handle kittens gently and to discourage pet behavior like biting and clawing. Indoor cats should be conditioned (perhaps with the help of squirt guns!) not to sharpen claws on furniture. It may help to separate kitty from Bowser and baby until all parties learn proper protocol.
Few pets are as fun as kittens. Take time to make the best choice for your children to ensure the best and lasting results for everyone.