Owning a cat has been medically proven to be a stress-reducer and lowers blood pressure. Bringing a new cat home can be an exciting time, but do your homework to make sure you get one that is a good match for you. No matter whether you're getting your pet from a breeder, pet store, or humane society, be aware of the following things to help avoid problems later on.
Make sure you can afford a cat. Feeding and caring for a cat is not free and the costs can add up significantly over time. In particular, veterinary care can be expensive. Even if you have medical insurance for your pet, there may be some treatments that are not covered by insurance.
Do not pick a cat just by looks. Much like humans, cats should not be judged by their outer beauty alone.You should also get a cat that has something that you love about it, if you like Garfield then you might get a ginger cat or if you like nyan cats then maybe get one that is a similar colour.The MOST important aspect of having a great cat is their inner beauty.
In both temperament and appearance, cat breeds are much more similar to each other than are dog breeds. Some may be a little friendlier and some tend toward a few special behaviors such as love of water, but most people would be well suited with a cat of any breed, or, of course, a mongrel.
Do carefully consider the hair length of your cat. A short-hair (smooth glossy coat) or medium-hair (modestly fluffy coat) is best for most people. Long-hair cats such as Persians have long, flowing coats, and a few have no hair (and are hypoallergenic). A short-hair cat is basically self-grooming and need only be brushed every several days to keep surplus shed hair from scattering and check for fleas, ticks, etc. A medium-hair cat should be brushed regularly to maintain a neat, knot-free appearance. A long-hair cat needs brushing every day or two to keep clean and healthy (they also shed a lot). A short-hair cat will be less comfortable on harsh winter days if it gets outside; a bald cat can die easily from cold.
Don't reject the animal if he or she attempts to scratch or bite you. If you have never had a cat before, you might not be aware of how to handle them correctly. Also, every cat has individual likes and dislikes when it comes to being touched. Additionally, be aware of the possibility that the cat was just being playful.
Ask to hold the animal you like. If he/she resists, don't force it. Some cats are very affectionate, but just do not like to be held. Make your hand into a fist and extend it towards the cat. This is a human method for mimicking a feline greeting. If the cat head-butts your hand, this is a friendly greeting. If he/she looks away or backs away, they may not like meeting new people. This is no reason for not adopting them. The cat may also be afraid of people. If you adopt them, you will need to help them get used to people.
Check the kitten or cat nose to tail for signs of illness. Things to look out for that are easily spotted:
Eyes - should be bright and free of discharge.
Nose - should not have any discharge or excessive sneezing.
Ears - should be free of dark wax, and should not smell bad.
Fur - should be clean and free of any bugs. Look in the armpits and on the belly for signs of fleas.
Bottom - should be clean and should not have any signs of diarrhea or worms.
Chest - breathing should sound clear and not have any wheezing.
Check for signs of diarrhea in the cage or litter box.
Find out whether the cat you're interested is one of a bonded pair. Cats sometimes come into shelters with another cat with whom they have already bonded, or form a bond while in the shelter. If separated they may suffer emotionally and have difficulty forming future bonds with other pets. If you are looking to adopt two cats, an already bonded pair is a good choice, as they will comfort each other through the stress of relocation.
Check the pet's veterinary records for which tests and vaccinations the cat has had. This can save you money, since vet bills can be expensive. If the cat is from a shelter, they should be checked for the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) before bringing the new pet to a home that has another cat.
Ask whether there is a veterinarian visit included or available with the purchase/adoption, which will catch anything you may have missed. Even if the veterinarian visit is not included with the purchase price, still bring the cat to a vet as soon as possible after adopting, especially if you have other cats at home. Also, consider that when you pay for the vet visit, you can choose the vet and know that he/she isn't biased.
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