Guide to Adopting a Healthy Kitten: Tips for Success

Where Do Healthy Kitten Pups Come From?

Healthy kitten pups come from a variety of factors that contribute to their wellbeing. Here's what you should know about their journey:

1) Healthy Parents: The foundation of a healthy kitten is laid by parents without any obvious genetic defects.

2) Proper Breeding: Responsible breeding practices, avoiding inbreeding and overbreeding, are crucial for the kittens' health.

3) Good Care During Pregnancy: The mother cat receives adequate nutrition and lives in a clean, comfortable environment during pregnancy.

4) Excellent Care During Lactation: Both the mother and her kittens are wellcared for during the nursing period, ensuring they have access to sufficient nutrition and a clean, cozy environment.

5) Not Being Taken Away Too Soon: Kittens should not be separated from their mother too early to ensure they develop properly.

The Most Important Principle: See the Kitten's Parents Before Adoption

It is strongly recommended to see the kitten's parents before considering adoption, whether it's a free or paid adoption. This is the most crucial principle in cat adoption.

After meeting the parents, you can be sure of the following:

1) The health of the parents, whether they are fed good food, and whether their living environment is clean and comfortable.

2) Whether the parents are properly mated, as improper mating can lead to congenital diseases. For example, a dwarf cat should not be bred with a Siamese, as the offspring may have a high probability of congenital diseases; similarly, a dwarf Ragdoll should not be bred with a Burmese, as the offspring may have walking issues.

In many cat stores, you may only see the kittens in the display, and not their parents. When you ask to see the parents, store owners might make excuses like, "We have our own cattery in the suburbs." In such cases, the kitten's origin is likely unknown, and for safety's sake, it's advisable not to adopt.

Good Catteries: Seeing the Parents Right Away

In good catteries, you can often see the parents of the kittens when you visit. Take the time to observe the mother cat closely and ask the owner many questions to learn as much as possible about how they care for their cats. If the mother cat looks thin, it's a sign that the quality of the kitten's milk may not be guaranteed.

Secondary Principle: Don't Take the Kitten Home Before 12 Weeks

The first three to seven weeks after birth are the most critical socialization period for kittens. During this time, kittens learn social skills through play with their parents and siblings, preparing them for adulthood.

If kittens are taken away from their parents too early, they may have a harder time integrating into other cat groups or forming close bonds with humans. They may also have coordination issues. Additionally, the earlier a kitten is separated from its mother, the less time it spends on breast milk, which could lead to a weaker constitution in the future.

Official Catteries and Backyard Breeders

There are terms like "official cattery" and "backyard breeder" in the market. Generally, it's believed that official catteries have more standardized breeding practices, while backyard breeders are considered more chaotic.

Official catteries and backyard breeders are not necessarily black and white. Some official catteries may not fully meet the criteria, and some backyard breeders may have certain characteristics of official catteries. Therefore, consider each situation individually.

Don't Rush to Adopt a Kitten

Take your time to understand the cattery before making an adoption decision. A kitten can be a loyal companion for many years.