How To Choose the Cat That's Right For You

Consider your family situation. Children under six years old don’t mix very well with kittens unless you can be constantly available to supervise, so an adult cat that’s been around kids will be a better choice.

Be realistic about your own personality. Kittens are tons of fun—but they also take lots of time, training, and supervision. If you’re the kind of person who likes order and peacefulness, an adult cat might provide an easier adjustment.

Make an assessment of the time you have available. Contrary to popular myth, cats love human company. If you have a long workday, you’ll want to choose a laid-back cat that won’t go nuts if he’s alone.

If you already have other pets, make sure you choose a cat that’s has been socialized with other animals.

Do some feline research to read about particular kinds of breeds and types of cats. You can find cat books at the library and cat magazines at most pet stores, and there are tons of cat websites online.

Visit cat shelters, cat breeders, and cat owners to investigate potential kitty housemates.

Inspect a potential pet to see if he looks healthy. Beware of a cat that has cloudy or runny eyes, a runny nose, dark wax or a foul smell in the ears, mangy fur, fleas, or is sneezing, wheezing, or coughing.

Ask the breeder, owner, or the person working at the shelter about the cat. They should have spent time with him—and probably know a lot about cats in general—and can fill you in on his personality to make sure you’ll be a perfect match.