Grandmother's Best Advice:
"Use the good sense you were born with."
by Anna Sadler

Never could this advice hold truer than when faced with choosing that one special kitten or cat to be a lifetime companion.

We will assume that before you ever go to physically see the potential kitten or cat companion that is available, that you will have done both the soul-searching and the homework that will determine whether the right match for you is either a kitten or adult cat, a rescue or a carefully bred pedigreed cat, and whether a new pet is practical and advisable in your life at this point in time.

Then, with Grandma in mind, we will provide a checklist of those good senses, which might help avoid disappointment in the future.

Sense of Vision. Observe the kittens or cat. Their personalities become apparent, especially kittens if playing with littermates. Look for the one whose personality most closely matches the traits that attract you to a cat, i.e., outgoing, people oriented, etc. All kittens should be bright-eyed, active and playful. Think twice about taking any of the kittens if even one shows overt signs of illness, such as crusty eyes or runny nose or appears unhealthily thin. (And please, if you do handle what might be sick kittens, do not go directly to another home that has cats or kitten, taking germs with you!)

Sense of Smell. A healthy, well-kept kitten or cat will not have an unpleasant odor. Nor should its surroundings.

Sense of Touch. Whether long hair or short, the coat should have a healthy feel. It should not be dry and brittle, or greasy or "tacky" feeling. While petting the kitten, feel below the coat to the skin, which should have no lesions, scabs or crusty areas. The backbone and ribs should not have a bony feel; there should be some muscle and fat between your hand and the bones.

Sense of Hearing. The kitten or cat should not display "noisy breathing", which could indicate a malformation of the airways or an upper respiratory infection. Similarly, it should not breathe noisily or heavily after running or play.

Sense of Taste. This 5th sense is unnecessary for selecting a kitten or cat except by way of "discriminating taste", which we should hope you possess!

Sixth Sense. The first of the two most important "senses" to use in selecting a kitten or a cat, it originates from deep inside. It is that indefinable knowledge that this is the right companion for the next 15-18 years. Or contrarily, there is the likewise indistinct, nagging feeling that something is just not right, either with the kitten or the seller. Listen to this sense! As intensely personal as choosing the right pet may be, this sense will rarely steer one wrong.

Common Sense. As with the Sixth Sense, this seventh sense will prevent the often disastrous purchase of the smallest, sickliest kitten out of pity. If you do choose to take on the responsibility of a special needs cat or kitten, it will require that you research the potential financial costs and the emotional cost to your and your family. If you are seeking a long term pet, it will put everything on hold while the contract is read and guarantees and potential problems are understood. It will trigger suspicion if the person seems interested only in the getting the kitten out of their home or facility rather than ascertaining the quality of the home the kitten will go to. It will insist on a veterinary check-in immediately, to determine if the kitten or cat is as healthy as it appears to be, with provisions for return and refund if it is not. It will ease the path to commitment for life that the kitten deserves.

Related Reading:
Important Choices
Responsible Sources