Physical Characteristics To Look For When Choosing A Kitten

When you are evaluating a litter in order to purchase a new kitten, not only will you want to look at its character and personality, but you also want to take stock of its physical attributes. You want to get a sense of the kitten's health and to be sure that he is in good physical condition.

Below are the physical descriptions of a healthy kitten that you can use as a guide to help you determine whether he is healthy enough to bring home:

1. The Ears: Take a quick look at the kitten's ears. They should be fairly clean, if not spotless. However, if there is a little grime on the inside than this is okay. On the other hand, if you see what appears to be extremely dirty ears, then this is a sign that the cat may have ear mites. Ear mites are not a big problem so long as you are prepared to administer a long period of medication which will eventually kill off all of the mites and their eggs.

2. Skin & Coat: A kitten's skin should be smooth and clean. Run your hand through the fur and over the skin. There should be no sores of any kind or rough patchy areas. Some kittens may have a fungal infection which produces bald patches. This fungal infection is called ringworm. Be aware that this can be passed on to you by rubbing over the infected area. Therefore, it is wise to ask the breeder if there is any cases of ringworm in the litter before picking one up.

3. The Mouth: A kitten's gums should be pink in color without any inflammation. The teeth should be white in color without any type of tartar buildup.

4. The Nose: Take a look at the kitten's nose. There should be no discharge whatsoever. It should be clean, yet slightly moist. If he appears to be breathing heavily and gasping through his nose, as well as his mouth, then this cat is probably very sick.

5. The Tail: The tail should be dry and free of any fecal matter. Check underneath and if there appears to be dampness and/or stains from the kitten's waste, then this is a possible sign of illness.

6. The Eyes: His eyes should be clear and there should be no discharge or any type of the glaze in the eyes. Also, every cat has a third eyelid and this eyelid should not be visible. However, in some cats that have an eye infection this protective lid pops out from the corners and is a sign that something is wrong.