Choose a Cat

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.

Steps

 * 1) Make sure that the establishment will allow you to handle the animal in question before taking it home.
 * 2) Do not pick a cat just by looks. Just like with humans, cats should not be judged by their outer beauty alone. The MOST important aspect of having a great cat is their inner beauty.
 * 3) 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.
 * 4) 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, this is a reason to adopt them (if you can afford a little bit of stress from attempting to get them to be used to people) as they may not be adopted otherwise because they are believed or known to be "anti-social". Just like humans, cats need love.
 * 5) 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.
 * 6) Check for signs of diarrhea in the cage or litter box.
 * 7) 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.
 * 8) 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.

Tips

 * Whenever possible, try to adopt a pet from an animal shelter or Humane Society. Cats found there are typically strays or surrendered animals and you will be helping reduce the burden of the shelters and possibly saving a cat from being put to sleep. Pet stores generally pay breeders to supply them with cats.
 * If you go to a humane society or pound, check any notes left by the former owner that will give you a clue as to the cat's temperament. Keep in mind, however, that the person who abandoned the animal may have a reason to lie about what the animal was like. Talk to staff in the cat room and see what they have to say.
 * Many shelters have visiting hours. The best way to see a cat’s true personality is to go at the start of the day. By day’s end, many cats will have been picked up and roughly handled by less kind hands and they may be sleepy or more ready to lash out at you because of over stimulation.
 * Buy your accessories (litter box, litter, food, bowls, toys, etc.) before you go to get the cat - that way you can bring it directly home. Try to also have a veterinarian lined up before you adopt the pet also. If you plan well, you can have a vet appointment for the day you go and adopt the pet so that you can take him/her right to the vet's office on your way home.
 * A cat that has already been neutered / spayed and vaccinated is a plus. Make sure that they really are vaccinated before purchasing the cat, as this is a well-known scam. Make sure that you get the rabies license tag for that animal!
 * If you've got the time and money to rehabilitate an ill or traumatized cat, then by all means, do so--otherwise, you'll just be making a bad situation worse. This is especially true for animals that have been repeatedly adopted and then "returned" to the shelter.
 * Be a responsible and knowledgeable owner: Buy and read several cat-care books before going to choose a cat. Each breed has temperaments, care requirements, and health concerns you should be aware of. Also find out what you can expect to pay for routine veterinary care each year, and what are common diseases/problems that will require extra care.
 * Ask if you can have a little of the "dirty" litter from the cat's own litter tray. This will help the cat to feel more secure in its new home and let it know where you expect it to "go". It is particularly useful for younger cats/kittens.
 * Although male cats tend to mark their territory, many don't. And males do tend to be friendlier and more affectionate than females.
 * Pay attention to "breed". Although the various color schemes (orange tabby, grey tabby, all black, all white, tortoise shell, etc.) of common domestic cats do not indicate specific breeds, there tend to be common characteristics and personality traits within any one scheme.
 * Females tend to be better hunters than males.
 * Make sure the cat doesn't have rotten teeth.

Warnings

 * Anyone who tries to discourage you from any of the above steps should be avoided. They obviously do not put you in their best interest. A good place should be happy to let you handle the cat as much as you like. The best places will even have a private room with chairs and a cat tower where you can meet the cat without having to pick the cat up.
 * Please be aware a kitten's personality will change over the years, depending on how much or little you handle it. Its reaction to being held or petted is much less guiding than the reaction of an older cat.
 * Believe it or not, many people cannot discern between a male and female cat so please make sure you can realize the difference between them. A male cat may be more likely to mark his territory, even after being neutered.
 * While it is possible to pick up a cat from the street, you never know where that cat has been and the diseases it might carry and transmit, so it is much safer to choose a new pet from a shelter or pound who has been inspected properly, though you should keep in mind that many animals at shelters are animals rescued from the streets.
 * Be careful if bringing a stray home: Even a healthy-looking cat can carry Feline leukemia, meningococcal meningitis or other diseases, which will be deadly to any cats you already have. Bring any stray directly to a vet for a checkup before bringing it home.
 * If you are buying from a shelter, make sure =none= of the cats there are sick (very important), the cat you are picking out may seem healthy, but you can never be sure. It is important that you inspect the physical conditions such as the fur, eyes,nose, paws, and the physical sexual reproductive area. Also take a look in there litter box to make sure that the feces of the cat look normal because you don't want to bring home a cat with diarrhea. If the cat is sick, bring him/her to a licensed vet ASAP. Do not be discouraged by a sick cat. They need help, and you could be the one to bring such to them.
 * Once you bring home your cat, it is perfectly normal if the cat's behavior is slightly timid and shy. Cats just need some time to adjust to their new, friendly and safe environment.
 * Also be sure to check if you or anyone in your house is allergic to cats before you decide to buy or take one home.

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Pet a High Strung Cat
 * How to Make Cat Toys
 * How to Litter Train a Cat
 * How to Keep a Cat from Running Away when It Is Moved
 * How to Ship a Cat
 * How to Recognize a Cat's Sense of Humor
 * How to Tame a Feral Cat
 * How to Bathe a Cat

Sources and Citations
Choisir un Chat
 * Petfinder This is a great site that helps potential pet-parents adopt a homeless pet.
 * Stress Relief reference 1
 * Stress Relief reference 2