Cleft palate and hare lip – Some cats for sale are born with defects that hinder their ability to feed; Many need surgical correction, and the procedure may not have been done when you are ready to choose a kitten. The upkeep of such kittens can be expensive Health – Potential for sunburn, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hereditary myopathy, luxating patellas (kneecap intermittently comes out of position causing lameness) Looks – Short, round-faced, muscular compact short-haired cat; Many colors not limited to blue, red, smoke white, or calico; Eyes do not always match and can be copper, blue, green Colorpoint – Like a Siamese but may not have a pedigree and can have the body type of an American Shorthair; Points can be tabby and other unusual patterns

Tabby - browns and caramels with no white (apart from chest/chin I.e. full tabby, no white paws etc)You must assume your kitten will try to put everything in her mouth and even try to swallow it. It will be easiest if you restrict your kitten to smaller areas of the house while she is tiny or until the age of six months. However, kittens are adept climbers, so placing everything out of reach requires imagination. You may have been approached numerous times about “free kittens near me.” Cats can be prolific breeders. A litter of baby kittens for free is not likely going to have health certificates or parental guarantees. There are still ways to enhance your chances of adopting a healthy kitten. You can win half the battle by visiting where the kittens are before taking one home. If the mother is there, see what kind of health she exhibits. Make sure she does not look too thin or have runny eyes. But especially look at the entire litter. Avoid specific qualities in free kittens. Looks – Short, round-faced, cobby-bodied long-haired cat; Many colors not limited to chinchilla, blue, red, white, silver, or tortoiseshell Looks – Short, round-faced, cobby-bodied short-haired cat; Many colors – Solid, bi-colored, tri-colored; Silver, brown tabby, and many others Looking to collect mid December at 8 weeks old so putting feelers out now for anyone expecting imminently. We are located in Cambridge but prepared to travel within reason.

Maintaining their claws is part of the feline’s grooming ritual. Your kitten learns it at a young age. Providing a scratching post may save your furniture, cabinets, and walls. Many times, you will have to try various kinds of scratching surfaces to determine which type your kitten likes best. Some cats like horizontal surfaces while others prefer vertical posts. Experiment with different materials as well. Collars and Leashes

Toys keep kittens busy and help engage their minds. Lures, lasers, and balls hone their chase skills and help their motor development. As you would for a baby, you need to make sure toys do not have small removable parts that could be choking hazards. String poses unique challenges as cats love to eat it, and it can cause detrimental effects on the digestive tract. Sometimes you must teach a kitten how to play effectively with toys. Everyday items such as cardboard boxes sometimes make more amusing toys than shiny commercial objects. Bedding Cats need 20 to 30 minutes of exercise a day depending on activity age. Your pet’s activity level will depend on her age and breed. Kittens are naturally active if they are healthy, but you want to establish a habit of playing with them early. This makes it easier to keep a routine of activity as your cat gets older and loses some of her interest in playing. Playing also helps you bond with your pet. Grooming