How to choose a kitten

Choosing a pedigreed kitten is a three-step funnel: appearance, breeder, and character. With each step you take, the pool of potential candidates will significantly narrow down.

At the very beginning, you should determine which cat appearance, and possibly which color, appeals to you the most. It’s better to choose not just one breed, but two or three. There are about 50 to 60 cat breeds, but in reality, the overwhelming majority of pedigreed cats belong to just a handful of the most popular breeds. So, if you’re drawn to a Nebelung but aren’t quite ready to part with your kidney, it might be better to consider options like the Russian Blue or the Angora cat instead.

Each breed has a limited list of permitted colors, but at this stage, I would advise against setting too strict of limits. If you’re fond of a less common color, it’s better to select several breeds where that color is allowed. On the other hand, if you’ve chosen a rare breed, be prepared for the possibility that you may not be able to pick a specific color.

If you’ve been wondering how to determine which breeds are rare, you’ll find your answer at this stage. Have you chosen your most desired breed? Now, try to find a reputable cattery 🙂 If there’s a cattery of that breed in your city or a nearby one, it means the breed isn’t that rare after all. However, if you couldn’t find any catteries in your country or just came across a couple, congratulations—you’ve chosen a very exclusive breed! 🙂

While in the first stage, you focus on beauty, in the second stage, the quality becomes crucial as it guarantees your future emotional and financial wellness.

But what does quality mean when it comes to a living being? It means health.

Beyond health considerations, it's important to evaluate how comfortable you feel communicating with a specific breeder. How readily do they respond to your endless questions, and do their actions seem appropriate to you? For instance, I would personally avoid breeders who have a constant high turnover of kittens or who advocate a raw diet.

If you find yourself with no options at this stage, consider lowering your beauty standards and give it a try first. However, if you have specific breeders or catteries in mind, congratulations—you’re nearing the finish line.

After all the hours of searching and lengthy discussions with breeders, I suggest you relax and let go a little. Choosing a kitten from a cattery is the cherry on top—a delightful addition, but not a mandatory part of finding a lifelong friend. 🙂

You’ve done the most important part: you’ve decided on the appearance you want and are confident in the breeder’s reliability. The primary distinction among kittens in the same cattery lies not in gender or color, but in personality. The moment has come for us to discuss behavior! 🙂

Just like people, all kittens are very different. Some are bold and curious, while others are shy and cautious. Some love to sleep right next to their owner, while others prefer to climb to the highest spot and relax there. You will likely fall in love with your kitten, no matter what its personality is, and even its crazy antics will seem like charming little mischiefs to you. So, take a deep breath and relax, because soon you will undoubtedly embark on a joyful life with your cheeky and fluffy (or maybe not-so-fluffy) friend!