Mar
10
2010
How to tell if a kitten is healthy at a pet store/shelter?
Anyone know any signs that a kitten is healthy or unhealthy when first seeing it at a store? We’re buying a kitten this week at an adoption agency I think, and I would like to know. Thanks!
March 10th, 2010 at 8:57 am
Make sure the kitten is alert and playful. Interact with the kitten and make sure the kitten has bright eyes, no smelly breath, nice fur and overall, active. If the kitten appear sluggish, no interest in his surrounding, with gooey eyes and is terrified of people, that surely he is not healthy.
March 10th, 2010 at 9:56 am
As long as the kitten came from a shelter or a rescue group that was in a store like Petsmart/Petco – that’s fine.
But don’t buy a kitten out of a normal pet store. They are from puppy and kitten mills or backyard breeders and unhealthy and not socialized.
In general, look for clean ears, eyes, no sneezing and a healthy attitude of wanting to play – not sitting back in the corner (usually a cat doesn’t feel well if its just sitting/hunched up).
The fur should look and feel clean with a little shine (but until the kitten gets good food, the coat may not be really shiny)