Before Buying A Breeder's Kitten: What You Must Know!
So, you've made the exciting decision to bring a new kitten into your home. Congratulations! As a pet behaviourist (and something of a crazy cat lady myself), I know firsthand the joys and rewards of sharing your life with a furry friend. But before you bring your new bundle of joy home, there are some important things to consider when buying from a breeder.
In this post, I'll walk you through the steps to take after you've decided to buy a kitten from a breeder, including how to choose a reputable breeder, what to look for in a healthy kitten, and how to prepare your home for your new furry addition.
Finding a Reputable Breeder
When it comes to buying a kitten from a breeder, it's important to do first your research and find a reputable breeder. A reputable breeder will prioritize the health and well-being of their cats, and will be happy to answer any questions you have about their breeding practices.
Here are some things to look for when choosing a breeder:
Positive reviews: Look for breeders with positive reviews from previous customers. You can often find reviews on the breeder's website, social media, or online pet forums. Awards from Shows can also be a good indicator of a quality breeding program. Although, this is not to say breeders who don’t spend time, money, and effort on shows can’t offer perfect kittens!
Health testing: A reputable breeder will conduct health testing on their cats to ensure they are free of genetic diseases that can be passed down to their offspring.
Openness: A good breeder will be open and transparent about their breeding practices, and will be happy to answer any questions you have about their cats and kittens, their living circumstances, and how they socialise them. For instance, some kittens are raised in a dedicated enclosure, others are raised in the breeder’s house with children and other pets, including dogs. Both are fine - but understand why the breeder chooses one approach versus the other.
Communication: Good breeders communicate well and respond to initial phone, text or email enquiries professionally and within a reasonable timeframe - say 1-2 days (if their communication is poor and chaotic, their breeding program might be, too!)
Pricing: Check online ads for the “typical” pricing of kittens of the breed you are looking for. Prices will vary based on how perfectly the kittens adhere to the breed’s “standard”. Cross-breeds might cost less as will kittens from breeders who are based in more rural locations. Just make sure pricing is “in the range” you see across multiple breeders advertising that breed.
Contracts: A reputable breeder will provide you with a commonsense contract that outlines their responsibilities as the breeder, as well as your responsibilities as the owner. Make sure you read it from end to end!
Desexing: Some breeders will insist their kittens are desexed before they hand over the kitten to you (in which case it should be included in the price of the kitten). Others might insist you do that in the months after delivery (but they might not provide pedigree papers until desexing has been confirmed).
Vaccination: Usually a kitten will have had at least one round of vaccinations before a breeder delivers to its new owners.
What to Look for in a Healthy Kitten
Once you've found a reputable breeder, it's time to choose your kitten! Here are some things to look for in a healthy kitten:
Bright, clear eyes: A kitten's eyes should be bright and clear, with no signs of discharge or redness.
Clean ears: A kitten's ears should be clean, with no signs of wax or debris.
Clean coat: A kitten's coat should be clean and shiny, with no signs of fleas or ticks.
Good appetite: A healthy kitten will have a good appetite and will be eager to eat.
Playfulness: A kitten should be playful and curious, with lots of energy.
Preparing Your Home
Before you bring your new kitten home, it's important to prepare your home for their arrival. Here are some things to consider:
Safe space: Create a safe space for your kitten to explore when they first arrive. This can be a small room or area of your home where they can get used to their new surroundings.
Litter box: Set up a litter box in a quiet area of your home, away from their food and water.
Food and water: Choose a high-quality kitten food and provide fresh water at all times.
Toys and scratching posts: Provide plenty of toys and scratching posts to keep your kitten entertained and to prevent them from damaging your furniture.
The Wrap
Bringing a new kitten into your home is an exciting and rewarding experience, but it's important to do your research and take the necessary steps to ensure you're buying from a reputable breeder and preparing your home for your new furry friend. By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to enjoying a lifetime of love and companionship with your new kitten.
