Читать книгу The Cat Handbook - Karen Leigh Davis - Страница 39

Once you’ve selected a cat or kitten, ask if he has been tested for FeLV and FIV, as noted previously. If the cat has not been tested, you will want to make sure he is free of these diseases before introducing him to other cats you may have at home. If any medical or vaccination records are available, ask for copies. Have your veterinarian examine the animal within a day or two after you take him home to help ensure that you’ve picked a healthy one.

Age: Knowing a kitten’s age is important, too. Kittens taken away too young from their original surroundings sometimes suffer from stress and have trouble adjusting to a new environment. Some also may develop unusual behavioral problems related to their maladjustment.

Ideally, a kitten should not leave his original environment until he is between 8 and 16 weeks old. Many breeders of purebreds will not release their kittens to new homes until they are between 12 and 16 weeks old. By this time, a kitten has been weaned and litter-trained, is eating solid food, and, depending on the owner, may have had some or all of his first year’s vaccination series. This is a best-case scenario that may be possible if, for example, you are planning to adopt a kitten from a friend or neighbor’s unplanned litter. However, since space at animal shelters is scarce, kittens there typically go to new homes by about eight weeks of age, or as soon as they are weaned and eating solid food.

In cases in which a breeder must ship a kitten to you, the animal must be at least three to four months old to conform with most airline age requirements. The breeder usually helps with shipping arrangements, but you can expect to pay all costs.