Buying a kitten: what to look for?

The fluffy coat, the bright blue eyes, the tiny ears: almost anyone falls in love with these small balls of fur in the blink of an eye. Want to purchase a kitten? Don’t let their cute appearance alone seduce you. Keep in mind that your kitten will grow up, requires food and attention every day, the litter box needs to be cleaned regularly and a kitten tends to be very playful at first. Making a list of what you do and don’t want beforehand, makes the decision a bit easier and prevents disappointment.

Purchasing a kitten, will you opt for a full-breed or not?

One of the most important questions you should be asking yourself is whether you want to get a pure-bred cat or a ‘regular’ house cat. The benefit of opting for a pure-bred cat is that a lot is known about the character of the breed. Over forty registered cat breeds exist, ranging from small (less than 2 kg) to large (up to 13 kg!). Since a lot of mixed breed cats are born, it is a bit more difficult to estimate their size and character. What cat will suit you best depends on your preferences and circumstances. When purchasing a kitten, take note of any allergies.

Where will you buy your kitten?

Kittens are offered in many different places. This includes shelters, breeders, local cat owners and online. Always check out the litter before buying a kitten and collect as much information as you can about the party offering the kitten prior to your visit. Find out here what else you need to pay attention to.

How much money are you willing to spend on a kitten?

Purchasing a kitten and providing for a kitten costs money. The price of a kitten depends on the type of cat you want and where you end up purchasing the kitten. A house cat varies from 0 tot 50 Euro, a cat from the shelter will set you back around 60 Euro and a full-breed will cost anywhere between 300 and 900 Euro. Keep in mind that a cheap kitten from a private cat owner will usually come without vaccinations and without a chip. These procedures have already been done when you purchase a cat at a shelter. Always make sure to check before purchasing a kitten. The costs of maintaining your cat depend on the type of food you buy, how many toys you give your cat, what type of basket you get it, etc. You can make it as expensive as you want, except for the mandatory costs of vaccination.

Does a kitten have enough space to move around?

Consider where your kitten will be living beforehand: will this be your entire home, just the kitchen, living room or pantry or perhaps mostly outside? In any case, it is important for a cat to have enough space to move around and a safe place to withdraw. Keep in mind that a cat may cause damage to clothing, furniture, wallpaper and carpets by scratching, especially during the first year. It is best to remove any expensive furniture or carpets as long as your cat is still young, or make sure your kitten cannot reach them and offer alternatives such as a scratching post.

One or two litter boxes?

You will need to get a litter box before buying a kitten. Every cat needs its own litter box, so if you’re purchasing two kittens, make sure you get at least two litter boxes. Potty-training a cat takes a lot of time and patience; it is best when a kitten learns this at a young age. This is why a litter box-trained kitten should always have your preference.

Do you have enough time to play with your kitten and socialise it?

Every cat is unique. Both the breed and where it grows up are very important factors that contribute to its social skills. In any case, your kitten will have to get used to its new environment and its new house mates. Reserve time for your kitten, play with it regularly and provide it with a safe home. Cats are generally good at being left alone, but they hugely appreciate it when you aren’t away from home all the time. Playing with your cat or petting the animal also has a positive effect on the health of human beings. Double the fun!

Provide high-quality food

A cat needs exercise and good food in order to be and stay healthy. Nothing is more costly and tedious than a sick animal, so make sure you feed it well. We recommend food without chemical preservatives, without artificial scents, colouring and flavouring and based on high-grade organic ingredients. Research shows that 87% of cat owners see a positive result after switching to organic food by Yarrah. Commonly reported improvements are a more beautiful coat, less itching, better digestion and more energy. Yarrah’s grain-free cat food is suitable for kittens over 12 weeks of age and contains a higher protein and fat percentage. This will set your kitten up to become a beautiful and healthy adult. Food isn’t the only important thing. Make sure your cat drinks enough water.

For how long will you be able to take care of your cat?

Very important: think about the future! An average cat will live for fifteen to twenty years. Indoor cats tend to live longer than outdoor cats and castrated cats also up the average; they tend to outlive non-castrated cats. So if you want to purchase a kitten, consider whether you will be able to take care of the cat throughout its entire life.