Why do you want a kitten?

What breed of kitten?

Think about such things as whether a particular breed fits in well with your family, life-style, and time commitments.    For instance, do you  need a cat that gets on well with other animals in the household, including dogs, as well as children?  Do you prefer a lap-sitter, or are you looking for a more active cat?  Will you have time to groom a long-haired cat?  Or would you be better with a short-haired cat that requires little or no regular grooming?

A good first step is to visit a cat show - this way you can see many different breeds and speak to their owners and breeders.

Where NOT to buy your kitten

Stay away from the pet shops because you do not have the opportunity to meet the kitten's parents to check out their temperament.  Nor are you able to meet the kitten's breeder to check out how they raised the kitten or ask about the kitten's health, diet, development and care in its first critical weeks of life and growth.  Also, kittens from pet shops are generally removed from their mother and siblings much too early, thus causing potential problems with socialisation and growth.  You will almost never get a guarantee about the kitten's health from the pet shop owner.

Also stay away from 'back-yarders'.  These are people who have obtained kittens that have not been desexed and have decided to breed them.  They are not members of any regulatory breeding body, adhere to no rules except their own, usually know very little about breeding or properly raising healthy kittens.   If you decide to look at kittens that have been advertised in newspapers, always ask to see the breeder's registration papers and the pedigree papers of the kitten's parents.  If you want a good kitten, you will have to pay for it.

How to find the best place to buy your kitten

Where is the best place to start to look for your kitten?   If you have decided on a particular breed, the very best place to purchase your kitten is from a reputable, registered breeder.  State cat registration bodies like the Governing Council of The Cat Fancy Australia & Victoria Inc (GCCFV) or the Feline Control Council of Victoria (FCCV) are more than happy to help guide you to good breeders.

Personal recommendations is a very good guide to purchasing a kitten.  Your choice will also depend on the type of cat you have decided to purchase and the amount of money you wish to spend.

Check out the cattery

Having found a breed and a reputable registered breeder that may be able to provide you with a kitten, go to visit the cattery.  Check out the place where the kittens are raised - and that may not always be where you are shown the kittens!  Is it thoroughly clean?   Does it smell nice?  Is the cat's and kitten's bedding clean and comfortable?  Can you see remnants of the kittens' latest meal to check exactly what they have been eating?  Is there plenty of fresh air and sunlight?  Is it warm (or cool) and comfortable?  Is it a pleasant place for kittens to grow, develop and socialise?  Are there plenty of activities available for the kittens to play, run, climb, chase, and generally be happy whilst exercising?  Are they restricted to a back bedroom or a small cage?

Check out the breeder

Interview the breeder.  Ask lots of questions, like - Are you a registered breeder?  With which registration body are you registered?   Can I see your registration certificate?  Are your cats all pedigreed?  Can I see the pedigrees of the kitten's parents?  How do you raise your kittens?  Do you guarantee the kitten's health in writing?  If not, why not?  Do you guarantee the kitten's temperament?  What happens if I have a problem with the kitten 'down the track'?  How do you litter train your kittens?  Do you train your kittens to use the human toilet instead of the litter tray?  Describe the diet for your kittens - how many meals per day, and what type of food?  How do you socialise your kittens?  Do you keep records of all your kittens from birth?  Will I be able to have access to these records, including vet checks and medications given?  Will you desex my kitten?  Is my kitten vaccinated?  How often do you worm your kittens?  Will my kitten be vet checked before I collect him?

Check out the kittens

Are all the kittens in the litter friendly?  You may need to take a bit of time in letting the kittens become accustomed to your presence - the best way to do this is to sit on the floor so you are not so big and threatening to them.   Are they healthy?  Do their coats feel soft and clean?  Are they free from fleas?  Do they have good body weight?  Are their ears clean and dry?  Make sure there is no dark wax in the ears.  Are the eyes bright and clear and free from discharge?  Is the nose cold?  Is there any signs of diarrhoea under the kittens tails?  Have a quick check in the litter box as well.  Are the kittens clean and well cared for?  Remember that kittens sleep quite a lot of their time, so don't be surprised if the kittens are asleep when you visit.  In that case, make sure you have enough time to wait around until the kittens stir and start their play-time so you can check their fitness, agility, co-ordination, interactions with siblings, etc.  If the breeder is reluctant for you to wait, be wary!

Check out the kitten's parents

Ask to see the kitten's parents - do not have them brought into the house if they are not already there - check them out where they would normally live.  Are both the kitten's parents friendly?  Are they healthy?  Do their coats feel soft and clean?  Are they free from fleas?  Do they have good body weight?  Apply the same checks to the kittens' parents that you applied to the kittens.

Preparing for your new kitten

Good breeders don't allow their kittens to go to new homes until they are at least 9 - 10 weeks old.  In fact, the rules set by our cat breeding bodies forbid kittens leaving for new homes prior to 9 weeks old!  This way, you can be assured that your kitten is physically, socially, emotionally and mentally ready to start its new life with you.   

It is a good idea to leave a blanket with the breeder so the smells of the kitten's mum and siblings are transferred to your blanket.  This way, when you take the kitten home with the blanket, familiar smells are still with him in his new home.

Whilst waiting for your kitten, you can start preparations for its welcome to its new home.  You will need :-

Taking your kitten home

Remember when you take your kitten home that he is still a baby.  Also that he has been rudely wrenched away from his mother, his siblings and all he has ever known and understood.  The first 24 hours that the kitten is in your care are very traumatic for your kitten, so you need to understand his special needs at this time and help him make the adjustment to his new home and family.  It is your job to cushion the shock of entering a strange new environment.

Don't be surprised if your new kitten is shy, suspicious, frightened or timid when you first get it home.  Place the kitten in its basket with its blanket and locate it in a quiet place where it will not be exposed to sudden unaccustomed noises - and this includes the excited sounds of children.   This way, the little kitten, alone for the very first time in its life, will have an opportunity to get used to his new surroundings and smells without fuss and interference.  If you like, you can sit on the floor near the kitten and encourage it to explore you as well!!

It is an excellent idea to purchase two kittens at the same time so they can keep each other company when the family is not at home.

One of my kittens asked me to put his thoughts on this page to help new owners :-

"Try to put yourself inside the head of your new kitten - imagine you are looking through his eyes.  You have been taken away from the only family and home you have ever known, separated from your siblings and play-mates you grew up with and without Granny Nola chatting to you to re-assure you and talk to you.

"You have been shoved here and there in a carry box, waited in strange places with strange noises, maybe you have even been put on a jet for hours and hours with other animals and birds who were probably not happy and letting everyone know - although you would have been brave and tried to sleep most of the way and ignore the rest of them.

"Then, a stranger takes you and puts you in a car and drives away with you.

"So, what should this stranger do to help you settle into your new home with your new family?

"Firstly, the person should take you into a small quiet room with a calm atmosphere - her bedroom would be good - not a cold noisy bathroom!! - not a large open area!!   She should shut the door so it's nice and safe and secure and quiet.

"Then, she should put your new litter box on the floor and also a bowl of fresh water and a plate of something yummy to eat as well as some dry kitten food. 

"All this time she should talk to you quietly so you get used to the sound of her voice.  Granny Nola talked all the time, so the quicker you can imprint your voice over Granny Nola's voice, the better.

"Then the new owner should sit on the floor beside the carry box and open the door of your box.  She shouldn't reach in and drag you out, just chat and encourage you to explore.  Normally this only takes a split second because you would have been in the carry box for so long it will be wonderful to finally be out!

"She should talk quietly to you in a gentle, calm voice while you have a look around without any noises or threats.  She should encourage you to come to investigate her and perhaps have a cuddle with her on the bed or on a chair or just on the floor.  She should give you lots of gentle, quiet cuddles to help you settle down but let you explore as you like and don't hold you if you want to explore some more rather than cuddle.

"You will also be a bit hungry, so it would be settling if you could have a nibble at the food the new owner has set out for you.    Once you have had a look around, had a bite to eat and used your litter, you will usually be ready to explore the rest of the house.  But the new owner shouldn't rush this - you could be ready to explore further in 5 minutes, or 5 hours - you will let the new owner know when you are ready! 

"Once you have settled down, show your new owner you are relaxed and have an interest in exploring the rest of your new house by putting your tail up and showing your bright eyes but not so wide that you show fear.  You might also roll on the floor and stretch and relax your tired muscles.  The owner should then open the door and invite you to explore outside the room - talking to you as you go - telling you it is OK.  She should follow behind you as you explore, talking quietly, explaining things to you if you need.  If you are frightened, you will hide under furniture, or draw yourself up into a small ball, put your tail down and your ears down and widen your eyes - in which case, she should gently retrieve you, comfort you and put you back into her bedroom until you are ready for another foray into the house. 

"If your new owner does these things and makes your introductions to her and the rest of family and house pleasant and without cause for fear, you will have your new family following your rules within a few hours and be right at home.  Sometimes when you are exploring and you suddenly find you are alone, you will probably mew out loud, but if your new family answers you or better still comes to find you and tell you 'It's alright, little one, I'm here'  you will feel re-assured again and ready to finish your exploring - and start your new life with your new family - confident and happy that you are loved as much as Granny Nola loved you.

"If the new owner just takes the time to do these few thoughtful things when you first arrive at your new home, you will be right at home within hours, but if you are not welcomed and comforted properly and allowed to remain frightened and uncomfortable, it may take you much, much longer to settle in.  

"Remember the first 24 hours for a kitten in a new home and family are the most important!"

Luckily Ocicats are usually confident, happy kittens, so once they are sure they are welcome they make themselves right at home very quickly!!

At home with your kitten

Oz Catz kittens!

Having said all that - check out our kittens!   If there is anything else we can help you with, please just ask

 Ocicats  by  Oz Catz 

www.OzCatz.com                nolakim@optusnet.com.au

Last modified: October 02, 2008