Cats

At a Breeder: Whether you are buying from a breeder or adopting from a shelter, the most important question to ask is if the kitten was with her mother and litter until she was at least seven weeks old (and preferably 12 weeks, to continue the learning process). A kitten needs feline companionship in those early weeks to learn, well, how to be a cat. Take a pass on any kitten that didn’t have that social-developmental time, because she is less likely to grow into a confident cat that can integrate into a household with other cats.

Look at the entire litter and see how the kittens react with one another and with you. “A kitten from a breeder won’t necessarily be any more or less introverted or extroverted than a kitten from a shelter,” says Mieshelle Nagelschneider, a feline behaviorist and a consultant at www.thecatbehaviorclinic.com. Choose one that is not on an end of the behavior spectrum — neither extremely timid nor extremely playful.

At the Shelter: “Any prospective owner should understand that a cat at a shelter is not in her natural environment. Cats are housed in a way that is contrary to feline behavior, with the food, litter box, and sleeping area placed next to one another,” says Nagelschneider. As a result, it can be difficult to assess a cat’s real temperament.

If possible, Nagelschneider recommends, take the cat out of its cage and place her in a room that approximates the size of one in your home. Spend at least 15 minutes with her. Kneel down five or six feet away and call her several times, but don’t make eye contact for more than a few seconds at a time, since a cat may feel threatened by prolonged eye contact. “Positive behaviors to look for would include some eye contact, a slow approach toward you, and the cat sniffing your hand,” says Nagelschneider. Questionable behavior includes avoiding eye contact, watching you without approaching, and defensive posturing and hissing.

While kneeling, extend one hand to the cat as you call her. Ideally, she’ll start sniffing and rubbing her body against your hand. You don’t want her to strike at you with her paw or hiss and growl. If the cat seems responsive to your touch, pet her along her head and neck and talk to her.