How to choose a kitten

They’re all so cute, which one shall I choose? Picking the right kitten isn’t easy but as this is a lifetime choice you have to make sure you get it right.   First decide whether you want a pedigree or a ‘bitza’ – this is what we call the kittens who are of mixed parentage.    Some people describe them as ordinary but nothing could be further from the truth.   There is a whole range of diversification in the ‘by chance’ kittens and they come in even more shapes, sizes and colourings than the ones whose birth has been planned.    If you are set on a specific breed you will have to source your kitten from a breeder and there are plenty of advertisements in the cat magazines.   Also there might be some advertised in the local paper or Ad-Mag.   You will pay a lot more for a pure bred kitten, anything from £200 upwards, the rarer the breed, the more expensive they are.    If all you need is love, you will undoubtedly get it from any baby feline companion, so you can check out the local animal sanctuaries (like us!) who will undoubtedly have lots of pregnant mums and litters of tiny-pawed babies, especially at this time of year – Spring.   Kittening is pretty much a seasonal occupation!

• Make sure the kitten is healthy – no runny eyes or noses
• The kitten should be at least nine weeks old
• The first vaccination will be given at nine weeks – don’t take a kit until he or she has been vaccinated
• The coat should be shiny and healthy looking
• The kitten should be lively and playful, although it might be a bit timid at first meeting strangers
• Make sure the kitten is eating well
• Check the type of food being given and stay with the same brand to begin with
• Kittens need special food – Royal Canin Baby Cat is what we feed to start with – complete dry food – tiny shapes
• Pouches specially for kittens are fine and kitten milk is good
• Don’t give cow’s milk as kittens cannot digest it
• Fetch your kitten when you have plenty of time at home to stay – kittens need company.
• Short haired kits are easy to look after – long haired need grooming every day.
• So many colours to choose from :   All blacks are said to guard against negative energy and are considered lucky.    Calico’s –  black, white and red, are the most rare and are said to bring good feng shui.   Tabbies are very popular and always look smart – there are mackerel tabbies (stripey) and spotted tabbies too.   Ginger kittens are adorable – usually males but not always.   Torties are smudgycoloured, brown, black and ginger – this is a lovely old fashioned farm cat colour.    White and tabby – they are one of our favourites – very neat.   Pure white kittens – are quite rare, be sure they are not deaf.   Smokey blue are always sought after and very elegant.    A mix of all the above is just fine.