How to Select a Kitten

Adding a new kitten to your home can add lots of fun and love for your family. Finding the right kitten will make the experience fun, easy and stress free. Choosing the wrong kitten can result in an experience that is unpleasant for both you and the kitten. Remember, this new kitten will be a member of your family for up to 20 years!

Things You'll Need

  • Litter box
  • Food dish
  • Water dish
  • Toys
  • Kitten food
  • Lots of love
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Instructions

    • 1

      Find kittens needing homes. Adoption from a local shelter or rescue organization is a good way to find just the right kitten for you while providing a needed home. Check with your local pet stores for adoption days. Most cities of medium or large size also have animal shelters with kittens needing homes. Do not buy a kitten from a pet store. A kitten purchased from a pet store is likely to come from a kitten mill and may not be suitable as a pet. A kitten adopted from a shelter or rescue organization will have been examined by a vet, will have all shots and will be neutered or spayed. You will be asked to donate to the shelter or organization to cover the costs of preparing the kitten for adoption.

    • 2

      Select a kitten with a good personality. Ask how the kitten was raised when considering adoption. A kitten that has been raised with people and held a lot will be social and make a good pet. Generally, feral kittens that lived outdoors and were trapped will not make good pets.

    • 3

      Ask how long the kitten was with his mother. Kittens should remain with their mother for at least 8 weeks and preferably 10-12 weeks. A kitten who was cared for by people can make a good pet but if a kitten has been raised by his mother he will be better at "cat" skills. His mother will teach him proper litter box skills and will even teach him to use a scratching post.

    • 4

      Prepare to bring the kitten home. Before you bring your new kitten home, prepare for his care. You will need a litter box with non-clumping cat litter. Do not use scoop litter until your kitten is at least a year old. You will also need to provide a food dish, a water dish and kitten food. Kittens should be fed a good brand of kitten food and not regular cat food. Kitten food is prepared to meet the kitten's nutritional requirements.

    • 5

      Bring your kitten home. Your kitten should be transported to his new home in a cat carrier. You should not carry the kitten in your arms because he may panic and get loose or may get scared and have an accident. When you bring him home, set the carrier on the floor and open the door. Allow the kitten to come out when he feels secure enough to do so. Provide love and care and enjoy your new family member.