What checks will I need to make when getting a pet kitten?

Question

I am about to get a new kitten, and am worried about any problems, as the last kitten I had passed away, due to back background, he'd also had fleas which led to anemia. I am worried about the same thing happening again, does anyone have a checklist of things to look for? Many thanks for your help :o)

Answer 1

Have flea and tick killer on hand to use as soon as the kitten comes home (kitten strength ones). It is also an idea to worm the kitten (again kitten strength ones).
Have brushes and combs to keep him groomed;

Answer 2

Hi, sorry to hear that you had problems & that your last kitten passed away - it must have been heartbreaking.

The checklists already given are great ... as long as you're prepared to walk away from an adorable little kitten that you feel really sorry for & just know that you can give it a better home & environment than the one its currently in.

So I'd try to ask a few questions on the phone to the breeder before actually going to see them.... moggies or crossbreeds are generally (in the UK anyway) rehomed before their first vaccinations ... but it's worth asking if they've had them in any case. Pedigree kittens have normally had their vaccinations. Having vaccinations means that the kittens have been seen by a vet. Most vets (I think) also give the kittens an examination at this time & will notifiy the breeder of any problems - so a kitten already vaccinated my be a 'safer' bet for you.

By the way, not all breeders vaccinate their kittens against Felv - feline leukemia - there is some debate with regards to its safety & so some breeders leave this up to the new owner to decide whether or not to get it done.

Ask if the kittens have been treated for fleas. (This would normally be by Frontline or Stronghold - I think that some cheaper versions are not suitable for young kittens. Stronghold is quite good as it also treats roundworm & earmites).

When were they last wormed? Kittens that have a roundworm infestation generally have large bloated pot bellies - untreated the roundworms can absorb the nutrients the kitten needs to grow properly & cause blockages to the intestinal tract ... not to mention the danger of infecting us with roundworms!

If you're happy with all the responses to these questions - specifically that the kittens are flea-free & have been wormed (as I said previously kittens are not always vaccinated before re-homing). Then go along & have a look.

I'd recommend buying some sort of toy on a string to take with you (maybe a feather on a string - my kittens love those sort) & then you can easily interact with the kittens - even a shy one will be tempted to join in chasing the tantasling toy.

If they look lively, with bright eyes & sleek fur (clean around their bottom area preferably) and you've done the other checks that other people have recommended, then the chances are that they will be okay. A poorly kitten will probably not join in the chase for the toy & you may notice that it sits rather hunched, it may be smaller or bonier than the others, with duller fur.

If you decide to adopt then I'd recommend popping the kitten along to the vet for a quick once over once you have him or her ... well, you've got to register the kitten with a vet at some stage & it can't do anything but help your peace of mind AND if there are any problems then you can get them sorted out straight away.

I have to (very shamefacedly) admit to rehoming a kitten with earmites once. I'd never come across them before & none of my cats had ever been affected before. I did notice that two of the kittens had more ear wax than normal but as they weren't scratching I didn't think it anything other than earwax. It wasn't until I went to see my vet to ask for a product to help me clean away this rather stubborn earwax that I discovered it was mites. Ugh. Very embarrased I contacted the new owner & apologised. I now know what they look like - but it's possible that a novice breeder may not. Fortunately, ear mites are not life threatening & were cleared up with Stronghold.

Anyway, I'll stop rabbiting on now. Good luck, hope you get a lovely kitten.

Answer 3

The things you can look for include clean ears and eyes, and mo patches of missing fur. If the kitten doen't look right, it probably isn't. Go with your instincts. Look around at the cages and check how clean they are, and look to see how active all the kittens are. A vet can do thr most thorough exam once you get the kitten, but if you see any type of redness or dryness on the kitten's skin, or his butt is very dirty, he may be sick. Also ask about what tests and vaccinations the kittens have had, and ask for documentation of it, if possible.

Also, often you can get a healthier kitten by buying from a breeder rather than a pet store. I understand that this can be more expensive and is not the option for everyone, but this way you can often get documentation guaranteeing the cat's ancestry and disease-free genetics, which can save vet bills in the future. Before choosing a breeder, try to get references.

Hope these websites help!

Answer 4

First of all, ensure it has had vaccination jabs and doesn't suffer from a virus such as cat-flu, next ensure you find out if it has been neutered, finally, either invest in a good quality flea collar or spray/powder, when you get the kitten, it is always a good idea to take it to the vets for an examination, this way, you know up front if there is anything wrong with it. If all is ok, pet insurance may save you a financial headache as the cat grows.

Answer 5

well you need the paper kind to buy it just kidding... then watch the kittens behavoir. Spunky, alert, playful. Look at there eyesand nose. Clean, gunk free, gums pinkish white, fur free of any dirty spots, missing hair, or broken hair,or lots of poopy cling ons or dihorreah on the fur around the butt, If the cat has some white on her fur then Dig in, if you see any thing that looks like coffe grinds or dirt particles she most likely has fleas. Is the kitten look exceptionally boney? Take one that is plumper. Look inside ears, if real dirty and waxy, then they probably have mites. Smell breath, super foul could be tooth problems and digestive issues. Then if kitten is free of all that, purchase, and take to vet for a full examination and vaccination.

To the person who said your not going to get a healthy kitten from the pound or shelter, OUCH what shelter did you go to? My shelter had a policy that no cat was ever even put on the adoption floor if it had so much as some bad gas!! NEVER EVER if it had fleas or ring worm. Our cats went home healthy and if they even show any sign of illness in the next week we covered any care given by a certified vet. If a cat in the adoption rooms exhibited any sign of illness the room was closed to the public, the vet was called in and then re-opened after he ok'd it.

Answer 6

Look for a happy, active, friendly social kitten with no obvious discahrge from its eyes or nose, and no signs of respiratory infection. You can usually see signs of fleas - they leave brown "dander" in the fur and you can often see the little brown insects scurrying in the fur. Try and adopt from a shelter or humane society who has given the kitten its first round of vaccinations. Don't adopt a kitten less than 8 weeks old. Get it spayed or neutered to prevent more unwanted kittens and to protect its long term health. Or consider adopting an adult cat - they adjust well to new homes, are generally healthier than kittens, are already litter box trained and less work, and often harder to get adopted because everybody seems to want a kitten. Good luck this time.

Oh - and take it to vet to get checked out as soon as you get it.

Answer 7

your not going to find a perfectly health cat at a pound or animal shelter, if you want that get a pure bred. But adopting a kitten at a shelter is a very good thing. Most likly they will all have fleas and possible a cold but all you have to do is get all it's shots and keep a eye on it, give it a bath when you take it home. I've gotten most of my cats at shelters and in two cases they were sick and coverd in fleas, but i gave them a flea bath took them to the vet got some vitamens and they were good to go.
but here are some signs if you dont want to go to the vet.
1. sneezing,
2.fleas
3. dirt looking stuff in ears (ear mites)
4. sleepy all the time wont do anything
5. wont eat
6. very underweight.
but you can always go to the vet get them checked out right away feed them good food and plently of love and your good to go.

Answer 8

Unless you are a Vet or a Veterinary technician there isn't much you can check for just by looking. You should do more to research who you are getting the kitten from. You should take a new kitten into the vet when you first get it anyway, unless you know for a fact that the person you are getting it from has taken it.

Answer 9

There is a lot to look for. General overall condition: healthy weight, shiny coat, clear eyes (no runny discharge of any kind) ask about coughing and sneezing, normal bowel movements, has the kitten been tested for: Feline Leukemia, Feline Infectious virus, intestinal parasites - was he or she dewormed? What kind of food is the kitten currently eating? You will want to get the same brand to prevent upset stomach. For great tips on choosing a veterinarian, go to www.protectthepets.com
Best wishes!

Answer 10

adopt one from a shelter, they have already been checked,had some vacs,and dewormed, also the money you pay goes toward their spay or neuter, also when getting a kitten tell the owner you are going to get a vet to exam the kitten,if it passes, then you will keep it, if it doesn't, then you will bring it back, within 3 days