Kittens for Sale in Indianapolis, Indiana - AdoptaPet.com (2024)

FAQs

How do I find a friendly kitten? ›

Observe Kitten Behaviors

Spending time with a kitten helps potential pet owners decide if the kitten has a temperament that fits well with their expectations (e.g., playful, cuddly, inquisitive.) Signs of a healthy kitten are alertness and curiosity, as opposed to listlessness or lethargy.

Kittens have boundless energy and curiosity, which means they require a lot of your time and energy. Not only do new kittens need lots of affection and playtime to be properly socialized, but they also require a ton of supervision to keep them out of trouble.

Fearful kittens can make wonderful companions provided you can give them the time and energy needed to teach them to trust. The adopter of a fearful kitten, will need plenty of time early on to spend with your kitten, patience not to push him past his level of comfort and realistic expectations.

Where to Get a Kitten. Animal shelters, rescue organizations, and humane societies are filled with loving, healthy cats and kittens who are longing to find a good home. Research shelters in your town, including Hill's partner shelters across the United States to help you find a kitten that is right for you.

The kitten should look well, with bright eyes, a good coat and be able to move easily. Ask to see the other kittens in the litter and the mother to make sure that they are healthy too.

Young: Young cats may have reached their adult size, but they haven't forgotten their kitten days yet! They're the “teenagers” of the cat world—they tend to be active and playful, but less demanding than kittens. Once they reach 6 months of age, young cats can be adopted alone.

(Kittens younger than four months should not be left alone for more than four hours. Older than that, they can handle another hour or so. When they reach six months, they can tolerate an eight-hour day without company.)

Purebred kittens and cats can be purchased from reputable breeders. Both mixed-breed and purebred kittens and cats can be adopted from animal shelters and rescue organizations. If you have the necessary skills and experience, you might consider adopting a cat with special medical or behavioral needs.

Waiting until a kitten is at least eight weeks of age before they are adopted or purchased will help to ensure that the kitten has had some opportunity for behavioural development, and has at least received adequate amounts of their mother's milk for growth and overall health.

Should I get a male or female cat? ›

When deciding between adopting a male or female cat, there's no right or wrong answer. A male cat may be more rambunctious and affectionate, but may also spray urine in your home. A female cat may be more quiet and independent, but may choose you as the person they trust.

Many cat owners worry about their pet being lonely, so will often choose to adopt two cats to provide them with a companion. This is a really strong reason to adopt cats from the same litter, as they have already formed close family bonds with one another.

Offer some tasty treats by either rolling them toward the cat or placing them gently near them. Try engaging them by waving a wand toy low to the ground. Keep your movements slow, your voice low, and your hand below the cat's eye level.

A phobic shyness indicates that proper socialization did not take place when your cat was an unweaned kitten. Proper socialization occurs when a very young kitten is handled and cuddled by all kinds of people, sniffed and touched by dogs and cats, and exposed to all kinds of noise out there in the world.

To find out for yourself how the kitten reacts, sit on the floor and hold out your arm to get their attention. You'll soon find out if the kitten is affectionate, whether or not they like their head rubbed or if they like to sit on your lap. Don't force anything.

Give your kitty lots of attention and affection when they're behaving in a way that you want to encourage. This includes sitting calmly by you and playing with a toy or scratching post. Helping your cat get used to contact can help them react well when encountering strangers or visitors.

Don't Stare at a Cat

For cats, staring is a sign of aggression. You can make brief contact then look away and to the side. Offer the cat long, slow blinks, which translates to "I mean you no harm." The cat may reciprocate the blinks.