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CAT

Kittens are not puppies. Rules of thumb that apply to dogs do not necessarily apply to cats, and the optimal age for adoption is one of those rules. While the best age to adopt a puppy is 7 weeks, kittens should be at least 9 weeks of age, and some even suggest 12 weeks of age before adoption. Kittens need a longer period of time with their mother and siblings to help them learn normal and acceptable behaviors.

Important characteristics to focus on are:

• Clear eyes with no tearing or discharge. The eyes should be fully open, focus normally, and be able to follow your finger or a piece of string dragged across the floor.
• A clean nose with no nasal discharge, sneezing, or labored breathing.
• Clean ears with no odor, head shaking, or scratching. Black granular discharge could indicate ear mites.
• Gums that are pink, with no sores or ulcers in the mouth or on the tongue. The teeth should be white and properly aligned. There should be no odor to the breath.
• An anal area that is clean, with no discoloration, matted fur, of evidence of parasites (tapeworms may look like cucumber seeds).
• A clean, soft coat with no dandruff. There should be no evidence of parasites, e.g., lice or fleas (flea dirt may look like tiny black-red granules, which dissolve into red on a moistened paper towel. There should be no evidence of scratching or bald spots (ringworm). A kitten's coat will usually not appear as glossy as an adult's.
• A symmetrical body shape, and one that is neither too thin nor has a protruding belly, which could indicate a severe intestinal parasite problem.
• A good appetite and be fully weaned.
• No lumps or bumps - including at the belly button.
• Coordinated movement, with no head tremors. Some cats may have extra toes (polydactyly), but this usually does not cause a problem.

TEMPERAMENT
If possible, it is best to choose a kitten from a litter. Observing the interactions between the kittens and the personality of the mother (and father, if possible) may help you choose a kitten with the traits you desire. Though friendly parents may have timid or aggressive kittens if they are not socialized properly, your chance of having a friendly kitten will increase if the parents get along well with people. If the kittens sense fear of people in their mother, they are more apt to be fearful, too. Adopting kittens from a feral (running wild) cat can be very problematic, especially for people who do not have a lot of experience handling cats.

In selecting a specific kitten, watch how the kittens interact with each other. A kitten should be playful, but not too aggressive. Avoid kittens that hide in the corner or appear to bully their siblings. Kittens should be confident, inquisitive, and not reluctant to come to you. Kittens who hiss or hide when approached by humans will be much more difficult to raise into friendly cats. The kitten should not cower or show fear when petted on his head. Kittens should readily accept playing with you. Take a string along and drag it on the floor. Well-adjusted and healthy kittens should eagerly pounce on it and want to play. Realize, however, if the kittens have just had a rousing game of tag or wrestling, they may be tired. Kittens are often either very active or sleeping, not much in between.