If you are seriously looking into adopting a kitten, you already know that there is lots to do! Not only do you have to purchase all of the supplies that a new kitten will need (from a kitten-sized litter box and non-clumping litter -- wait til it's older to get the clumping stuff -- to nail clippers, ID tags and break-away collars, etc.), but you'll also need to select a healthy kitten.

More than the personality or looks, it's the health of a kitten that should be your first consideration. Stay away from pet stores unless they are working in cooperation with a humane shelter or rescue organization. Make sure the kitten has a clean bill of health, and ask if there is any paperwork regarding its first vet visit or vaccinations. A healthy kitten should be lively and curious, not listless. Of course, don't mistake a shy kitten for one who is truly unwell; the sick one will be sluggish or uninterested.

Go through the kitten's coat carefully, looking for bare patches, and feel for any scabs or scarring. These can be signs of ringworm, fleas, or more serious skin conditions. If you see feces stuck to the kitten's back legs, it may be an indication of diarrhea, which can be caused by anything from parasites, viruses, and bacteria, to food changes, stress, and overfeeding or overfeeding. Although a case of worms is no big deal to treat, a kitten who has signs of diarrehea and is also lethargic and hot to the touch may be quite ill. Check the kitten's eyes too. They should be bright and clear, with no redness or tearing, and the third eyelid should not be visible.

The inside of a kitten's ears should be clean, and take note if the kitten you're interested in shows a lot of head shaking or non-stop scratching. Check each ear for a build up of dark wax or bloody scabbing, both of which could be a sign of ear mites. Ear mites are not serious and are easy to clear up with ear drops, but you need to know what to look for in order to make the diagnosis.

A kitten's gums can also tell you a lot about its health. Healthy gums should be dark pink, not pale. You can check for something called good capillary refill time, which is simply seeing if the pink gum color returns within 1-2 seconds after being pressed with your finger.

Once you're satisfied that the kitten you're looking at is healthy, then it's time to decide on if its personality, length of fur, sex and color are a good match for your requirements and personal taste.

Copyright © KittenAdoptionInfo.com