QUESTIONS TO ASK THE BREEDER
It’s important that you meet your potential future kitten armed with questions.
QDid they breed the kitten? It’s important to see the kitten with his mother in the place where he was born, and to find out about the kitten’s history.That’s why it is important to make sure you are buying from the breeder themselves.
QHave any of the kittens had any health problems? Try to find out whether any of the kittens in the litter have had a health check from the vet, or been treated by the vet for any reason. If your kitten has been checked or received any treatment, the breeder should provide details of anything abnormal that the vet may have noted.
QIs the mother healthy — has she been vaccinated and wormed?
It is very important that the mother is healthy and up-to-date with her vaccinations and worming, otherwise the kittens may be more at risk of suffering from health problems too.
QHow many litters, including this one, has the mother had?
Pregnancy, birth, and rearing kittens all take a lot of energy and work for any mother. Avoid kittens from mothers who have had numerous litters, as this may be a sign that the breeder has expected too much, and may also mean that the care
and condition of the kitten could be affected.
QHave the kittens been treated for worms or any other parasites, and have they had their first vaccinations? Worms are commonly passed on to kittens from their mother’s milk. To ensure the kittens are healthy, breeders should, with veterinary advice, make sure kittens are wormed.Vaccinations are also very important to prevent certain diseases. If your kitten has been vaccinated already, the vet will have given them a vaccination certificate.
QDo the kittens have microchips?
It is advisable to microchip kittens to help them be traced if they are ever lost or stolen, although you can arrange this after you get the kitten.
QWhere are the kittens kept and have they been socialised?
Are they kept inside the house, or in a busy kitchen where people come and go and interact with the kittens? A kitten who hasn’t met many people, or has lived in a quiet home, may become fearful of new people and different environments when they are older.To help kittens feel comfortable and safe around people and children, they should ideally be gently introduced when they are kittens.