Although a veterinarian will give you a professional opinion, the following are some good health signs to look for when choosing your pet:
* clear eyes, free of irritation, tearing or other discharge
* clean ears, free of ear mites and any other foreign material
* firm, pink gums, free of sores
* glossy coat without bare patches, lumps or redness
* firm and muscular body free from rashes
Avoid getting a kitten with a runny nose or eyes. These are indications of disease problems. A cat which sneezes may mean frequent trips to the veterinarian later.
Try calling the kitten you are interested in and see if he will respond even if he is looking in the other direction. This will help determine how responsive he is to you and whether or not he is deaf. A shy cat may present problems later.
If a kitten is unusually skittish or spits occasionally, observe him carefully to see if there is anything wrong or if he is simply frightened of you or his new environment. He may just be acting playful.
The physically sound kitten is active, bright and responsive. Even at an early age he will try to make his way around to find out what is going on. All cats are naturally curious and intelligent but, as with humans, some cats are more curious and intelligent than others.
In selecting your cat you will not only want to consider the individual eat's apparent health, but the cleanliness of the premises where he was raised. You will want to inquire into the health of your eat's littermates as well as the health of other nearby animals.
If you are considering getting a kitten, you should not take him home with you until he is at least six to eight weeks old, when he should be weaned from his mother and probably housebroken as well. Kittens should be acquired before they become much older than four months if you wish to make sure they have acquired no undesirable traits.
Whether you decide on an adult cat or a kitten you are embarking on a new and rewarding experience.
