Things to look out for when buying a cat or kitten
Is this the right time for a cat?
Owning a cat can be hugely rewarding, but it is also a big responsibility. Many people choose to buy a cat or kittens instead of a dog because the commitment can seem less intense. However, there are a lot of things to think about and a lot of decisions to make before you decide on getting a new cat or kitten.
The first thing to consider is if you have the commitment that is required to own a cat. The average lifespan of a cat is 17 years so choosing to own one should not be a decision you make lightly. Make sure you are ready for a long, dedicated commitment to your new pet and that you can give them a happy, healthy life.
Cats are the ideal pet if you have a busy lifestyle and have limited time to care for a pet as they are extremely independent animals and usually like to do their own thing. A well-socialised cat can be a lovely companion, but you will not be able to determine how sociable a cat will be until they are in your care. Some cats are cuddly and others only like human interaction on their terms.
If you are thinking about rehoming a cat, especially an older cat, charities and cat rehoming organisations will normally have a good idea of temperament and can find a cat that will be a suitable companion for you.
The environment in which you keep a cat is also an important factor – for example if it lives with other cats which do not get on, then it will be stressed and will react differently than if it was on its own. Consider your expectations and do some research on what a cat needs, and this will help you to bring home a cat that should be able to cope with its new environment and be the perfect pet for your lifestyle.
Can I afford a cat?
All pets come with costs and generally speaking, the bigger the pet, the more they cost. So, while a cat would not normally cost as much as a dog (in fact you can get cheap or free cats and kittens), owning a cat can still be costly. It is not just about the initial cost of buying the cat and it can be easy to overlook the other costs involved in the excitement. It is important to budget and understand how much you could end up paying for a cat over its lifetime even without any unexpected vet bills.
Do your research on the financial costs of owning a cat from the initial cost of the cat when you first buy them to vaccination costs, micro-chipping, pet insurance and vet bills. You may need to make changes at home before you get a cat too, for example you may wish to install a cat flap if you would like your cat to come and go while you are out of the house.
What breed of kitten is right for me?
Cats make fantastic pets, but each breed has a slightly different temperament. It is important to think about which cat breed would make the perfect pet for you and your lifestyle.
Do your research on the different breeds available and decide if you would like a pure breed cat or a mixed breed and the difference this might make to their needs and characteristics.
Whether you get a pure breed or a mixed breed cat is down to personal preference.
The way a cat can behave can depend on a number of factors - from its genetic make-up to the experiences it has been exposed to during its socialisation period, which is until they are about eight weeks old, although kittens will remain receptive to behaviour until they are around six months old.
Pure bred or pedigree cats will be registered as a specific breed by one of the main registration bodies for cat breeds, providing a guarantee of conformity to breed characteristics and a record of the cat’s parentage and ancestry. Pure breed cats only represent a small part of the feline population.
Another important factor to think about before you buy a cat is how tolerant you are to fur. Some cats shed fur more than others so you need to think about what breed would be best you.
For a lot of cat owners’, fur is no issue at all but if there is someone in your household that suffers from allergies or you just cannot stand picking unwanted cat hair from your clothes and furniture then there are hypoallergenic and hairless cat breeds available that could make the perfect choice.
What age of cat is right for me?
Owning a cat at any age can be a wonderful addition to your life but deciding on what age of cat to get can be a big decision. Whether it be a kitten or an adult cat, make sure to think long and hard about which would be most suitable to your lifestyle before you start looking for cats or kittens for sale. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.
Finding a kitten for sale will give you the opportunity to take on an animal right from the beginning and treat it and care for it so that it gets the best start in life. However, kittens require a lot of attention and lots of planning and forward thinking to prevent them from getting into trouble. If you are planning to leave them alone for any length of time, you will need to make sure they will be safe while you are away. You may also have to organise neutering and initial vaccinations etc for your kitten depending on where you get them from.
Alternatively, you should not overlook the joy of adopting an older cat.Looking after an adult cat is equally as rewarding and it would be a fantastic feeling to know that by adopting a cat you could also be saving it’s life.
With an adult cat, you should be able to get a good idea of a its personality fairly quickly and it should also be clear if they are long or short haired. A confident adult cat is likely to move in and settle down quite quickly; a nervous one may take more time. It will be much easier to leave an older cat alone in the knowledge that it is not going to get itself into trouble and it will probably already be neutered and vaccinated.
There are some lovely cats out there of all ages, just take the time and effort to find the right one for you, your family, and your lifestyle.
Where can I get my cat/kitten from?
Once you have made your decision to get a new cat or kitten, the next big question is where to go to find one. Where your cat comes from is really important and can have a big effect on their health and life with you. If you are looking to buy a kitten from a breeder or looking to re-home an older cat, the responsibility is always on the person buying or re-homing the cat to do the research and the background checks and get as much information as possible to avoid funding kitten farmers and irresponsible breeders who produce lots of kittens in poor conditions and with little consideration for their health and welfare.
If your heart is set on buying a kitten, one of the best places to start is by researching breeders. There are many people out there who breed cats but selecting the right breeder is very important as where the kitten comes from will have a huge impact on the type of cat they will be, from their genetics down to their physical and personal development.
A responsible breeder will be able to provide you with a healthy and happy kitten and all of the necessary paperwork from vet checks, vaccinations, microchipping, and/or pedigree papers.
Ask questions and have a checklist each time you speak to the seller and make sure you see the kitten with their mother in the place they were born so you know they have been well cared for. Before you hand over any money, ensure that you are absolutely convinced that you are dealing with a responsible breeder.
Alternatively, there are lots of cats looking for their forever homes all around the UK at rehoming centres and shelters. They often have cats of a wide variety of ages and with lots of different backgrounds who need a new home. Reputable rescue organisations will normally health check each cat and many also do ‘temperament testing’ which means they match you with the most suitable cat for your home and lifestyle.
The best thing about re-homing or adopting a kitten or older cat is knowing that you have given them a new chance at a happy life and a forever home.
Healthcare
There are so many vet practises to choose from that it can be difficult to know which one to pick for your new kitten or cat. It is worth doing a bit of research to find one that will be right for both you and your new pet.
Recommendations can be a really great way of finding a good vet. Speak to other pet owners about the vets they use and what their experiences are but remember that their pets may have different requirements to yours.
It is advisable to choose a vet that is fairly close to where you live not just for convenience but if there is an emergency with your cat then you can get help for them as quickly as possible.
As well as choosing a vet, another important factor that you need to think about is pet insurance. Pet insurance is there to help protect you against expensive and unexpected costs that relate to your pet and the most obvious reason for this is to cover veterinary bills.
There are different types of pet insurance available so have a look and find one that is most suitable for you and your cat.
For some pet owners this can seem like an unnecessary expense. If you are unsure if pet insurance is worth it, consider how you would deal with an unexpected bill and have a look around at other alternatives to pet insurance. One option is self-insurance where you save a set amount that you put aside for any potential vet bills that may arise.
Training
Although training is more traditionally associated with dogs, you can also teach your cat to recognise their name and come to you when you call them, among other simple tricks. To help your cat pick up these skills, it’s important to train your kitten from an early age and as soon as possible. The more they are exposed to at a young age, the less will shock or surprise them as they get older.
You may also wish to use a litter try and although a cat’s natural instincts naturally lead them to go to the toilet outside, they can easily adapt to using a litter tray, especially if taught from a young age. Older cats may also find a litter tray useful, even if they haven’t used one before, as their joints start to get stiff and they don’t have the same energy to go outside. There are several stages to follow to help your cat learn how to use a litter tray so do some research to enable you to train your kitten/cat to become confident and efficient at using one.
Cat-proofing your home
Cats, especially kittens can be very curious. Kittens love to climb, explore and hide so it is vital that you pet-proof your home before you pick up your new cat.
Pet-proofing and safeguarding your home will not only help keep your new pet safe from any injuries and health problems but it will also protect your belongings from unwanted damage.
There are some house plants that can be toxic for cats. Ask your vet for a full list and remove any from your house ideally before your cat arrives home. Also ensure that any cleaning products or food are locked away out of harm’s way, you will be surprised at how quickly an inquisitive cat can find things that they shouldn’t.
Make sure your home is as safe as possible and you can be confident that your cat will thrive in your loving, pet-friendly environment.
Should I get an indoor or outdoor cat?
Ideally, all cats should have access to the outdoors to be able to express their natural behaviour, but cats are all individuals. Some cats will love to go outside, and others will barely want to put a paw through the cat flap.
Only about ten percent of pet cats in the UK are believed to live permanently indoors although this figure is increasing. An indoor-only lifestyle for a cat is often chosen by an owner, mainly due to fear for their own cat’s welfare and to keep them safe from road accidents, from picking up certain health conditions and to prevent them from getting lost or stolen.
There are many clear advantages to allowing cats access to the outside world, the main being that it simply provides a larger, more varied and natural environment for the cat to enjoy.
Wherever your cat spends their time, make sure they are happy and safe.
Stock up on cat/kitten supplies
Before you are ready to bring your new cat or kitten home, you will need to buy a variety of equipment and accessories to ensure your new addition feels comfortable and welcome. Some of the basic items you will need are below:
Bedding – Your new kitten or cat will need a safe and cosy place to sleep. Some cats like to change their sleeping spots from time to time so more than one bed may be necessary.
Bowls - You will need separate food and water bowls for your cat. Most cats prefer porcelain, glass or stainless-steel bowls. Make sure fresh water is always available.
Carry case – When buying a carry/travel case for your cat, choose a stable case that is dark or can be covered with a blanket, and is large enough for when your cat is fully grown. These also provide the cat with their own space and ensure both safety and comfort when travelling.
Collar - Choose a comfortable collar that is suitable for the size and age of your cat and can be adjusted as your cat grows. Breakaway collars are recommended to avoid your kitten getting stuck. Make sure the collar has an identification tag.
Litter tray - A covered litter tray is recommended for minimising spills and smells. It is also advisable to buy a scoop to remove droppings.
Toys - It is important that your cat has a variety of appropriate and interesting toys to play with. Choose toys from a reputable supplier that encourage your cat or kitten to stalk, pounce and swipe. A cat tree is also recommended with at least two branches to encourage exercise and mental stimulation.
Grooming equipment - While most cats groom themselves, medium to long haired cats may benefit from some extra grooming. Choose a brush or comb that is suitable for your cat’s coat. It is also recommended to buy cat nail clippers.
Cat toothpaste and toothbrush - Gum disease can be common in cats and can lead to all sorts of health problems, so it pays to brush your cat’s teeth. Buy a toothbrush and toothpaste specially designed for cats. A finger toothbrush may be best
