What To Look For In A Cat

The prospective owner can make his or her own immediate checks when selecting a kitten. If you are able to view the entire litter, look for the individuals with evenness of growth and solidity of muscle tone.

Male kittens may already be showing a larger skeletal frame than the females. The kittens will be heavy for their size, and their spines should be well fleshed and not feel ridged and bony.

If you see the litter shortly after feeding, the kittens will probably be sleepy, but if they are inclined to play, you can assess sociability.

Frightened, unsociable kittens rush to hide and show fear and displeasure with trembling, bad languages or claws or maybe all three at once. The sociable but sleepy kitten purrs and almost certainly demands that its tummy is tickled.

The playful kitten in good health has stamina and a spring in its step. It is alert and may already be displaying intelligence and leadership in play.

Rather than you doing the choosing, a particular kitten may well choose you, inviting you to play, and ending up going to sleep on your lap. The kitten’s nose leather should be naturally slightly warm and a little damp.

It should not be hot and dry, or have any discolored discharge from the nostrils. Breathing should be deep and natural with no rasping or snorting.

Eyes should be clean and bright with no discharge, tears, staining or redness. The mouth should show nice light pink gums with no furring to the tongue or ulceration. Ears should be clean and free of wax.

Coat indicators – Clean kitten fur has a lively feel with a warm, naturally wholesome scent, with no evidence of parasites, rough patches or lesions. The most common recto parasite is the flea, which leaves gritty, granular droppings.

Typical sites for these droppings are just above the base of the tail, between the shoulder blades, under the chin and in the armpits. Excessive infestation of fleas may cause a lack of liveliness, and also indicate that the animal may be worm infested.

Indications of worm infestation are usually a staring, harsh coat as well as a bloated abdomen. In serious events, the kitten might possibly exhibit signals of anemia and diarrhea. Assess beneath the tail for staining or indicators of soreness, which indicate diarrhea.