Have you decided to adopt a kitten ? You have undoubtedly made the most beautiful decision. Adopting a kitten is an exceptional event; this little being will bring you a lot of love, joy and also probably a lot of laughter. But as a young future parent, you must ask yourself many questions: when is the best time to adopt a kitten? Where to adopt it? Can you adopt a two-month-old kitten ? We answer all your questions.
When is the best time to adopt a kitten?
Spring is the best time to find a kitten to adopt , from April to June, because this is when the peak of kitten births occurs. For our cats, the mating season takes place around February and March, when the days start to get longer. These are more conducive to the reproduction of cats who allow themselves longer outings in the evening.
Summer is also a great time. For many whiskers, cuddle season can extend beyond March and into June. At Ziggy's, we have kittens born in late August in our family. However, in the fall and winter, births are rarer. It will be harder to find a kitten to adopt.
But let me clarify: we're talking about births! Kittens poke their whiskers out in the spring, but it's not until two or three months later that you'll be able to welcome your little companion into your home. Spring is actually the best time to adopt a kitten "from a distance."
At what age should you adopt a kitten?
A kitten can be adopted from the age of two months , at which point it is considered weaned. At Ziggy, however, we advise you to adopt a kitten that is three months old , to ensure that it is completely weaned.
In kittens, weaning is extremely important, because it is during their first weeks that their mother teaches them all the basics of feline behavior. She is the one who takes care of their food and psychosocial weaning; she teaches them how to eat, wash themselves, be clean or interact with their brothers and sisters, other animals and humans. A kitten weaned too early can subsequently develop behavioral problems: uncleanliness, hyperattachment, aggressiveness.
Please note that it may happen that a mother cat cannot or no longer can perform her duties. Death, abandonment, accident, illness... The reasons can be multiple. If you have to welcome a kitten under two months old, your role as mother or father will be all the more essential, especially in terms of its diet. Let's not forget that it is also during its first weeks that the kitten draws all the nutrients necessary for its growth. We share all our advice in our article: Milk, bottles: how to feed an unweaned kitten.
Where to find a kitten to adopt?
Turn to associations and shelters
You can turn to shelters and associations that help abandoned cats.
These organizations offer adult cats for adoption, but sometimes also kittens who are just waiting for your love, your caresses, the warmth and comfort of your bed (yes, expect to share your bed with your new little ball of fur!)
At Ziggy, we are also partners with several associations , such as Potron Minet and L'École du Chat Libre de Bordeaux. For each order placed on our website, a meal is donated to one of our partner associations.
Asking for help from those around you
Also ask your friends and family. Talk about your desire to adopt to your family, friends, work colleagues or even your neighbors. Maybe one of them has a pregnant cat or one that has just given birth to a litter. The more you talk about it around you, the more likely you are to find a kitten to adopt.
Social networks and dedicated platforms
If you can't find a kitten to adopt, you can also post a small ad on social media. Many people offer kittens for adoption on Facebook groups. Our Ziggy Family Facebook group, for example, has over 1,800 members, all cat-loving and caring members who could lend you a helping hand.
Finally, you can turn to dedicated mobile applications, such as Mister Coocky , which brings together almost all the ads published on the websites of associations, breeders or those posted on platforms for donations and exchanges between individuals. To find its ideal little companion, the application has developed an image recognition algorithm: you send a photo and Mister Coocky finds among all the ads, the one that most closely matches your photo.
Should you choose a male or female kitten? And which breed?
Whether male or female, your kitten will bring you just as much love, joy and purrs.
Some consider males to be a little more cuddly and sociable than females. Others consider them less clean and more “quarrelsome”, sometimes having destructive behaviors (scratching the sofa, climbing curtains, etc.).
You will hear a lot of conflicting opinions about the pros and cons of having a male kitten or a female kitten . The reality: every cat is different, every cat is unique.
Their character may depend on the environment in which they grew up. Some kittens may have experienced trauma when they were babies and subsequently suffer from Pica syndrome , for example, an eating disorder characterized by compulsive and obsessive ingesting of non-food or non-nutritive substances, such as plastic, cardboard or paper.
Ineka, a little cat from the Ziggy Family, has this syndrome. At 4 months old, she was found in the (turned off) oven of a pizzeria in Guadeloupe. The place where she was hiding and her long journey to France probably left their mark on her. That said, even with a particular past, a cat can be the cuddliest and most sociable of all cats. Gus, the big Boss at Ziggy's, was found in a trash can. And he's the most adorable of cats. 😽
Regarding the breed of your future kitten, same thing. Whether it is a Bengal , a Ragdoll or a Maine Coon , its character and behavior will be unique.
There are, however, some similarities; for example, Ragdolls generally have a very cuddly demeanor. Moms and dads of a little Ragdoll all say that he is also very playful, a real cat-dog! A piece of cardboard, a piece of string or a bottle cap can amuse him for hours.
Fun fact: In cats, kittens from the same litter can have different fathers. Our kittens are indeed capable of “superfertilization”, that is to say that they can emit a new egg with each “cuddle”.
What name should you choose for a male or female kitten?
Every year, one letter prevails when choosing a name for your cat. In 2022, it was the letter T. This year, in 2023, it is the letter U.
To help you choose the most beautiful name for your kitten, we have listed more than 200 ideas for cat names in U , for a male and a female. We hope you will find what you are looking for in this list.
Of course, it's up to you to choose. You don't have to respect this "tradition" of letters. 😽Also find our lists of more than 200 names for a male kitten and more than 200 names for a female kitten.
What care should be given to a kitten?
At the time of adoption, you will need to make sure that your kitten has received its first vaccinations against feline panleukopenia, coryza , chlamydia and leukemia (if it is at risk of exposure to the latter). These are recommended around the age of 8 weeks. If not, make an appointment with the veterinarian so that he can review his first vaccinations and to make sure that your kitten is doing well.
If your kitten is not yet weaned (less than 8 weeks), several cares will need to be given to him in addition to his little bottles, such as keeping him warm or helping him to relieve himself.
Before the age of one month, a young kitten is not able to relieve itself. Its mother must lick it to trigger the emission of urine or stools. As a surrogate mother, you will have to stimulate it in the lower abdomen and anus, using a cotton ball or a damp cloth. This is an essential step for its survival! We tell you everything in our article on how to take care of an abandoned kitten.
How to welcome your kitten?
To properly welcome your kitten , you need to think about several things.
Your kitten will need a welcoming home, with everything he needs to thrive: small toys, a small basket or cozy places for his long naps. Moreover, when he is in the arms of Morpheus, avoid waking him up , because it is only during sleep that the hormones essential to his growth are released!
And of course, don't forget his litter box, his transport box for his next visits to the vet or weekends with you and his bowls; one for food and one for water.
Note: for the litter, opt for a non-clumping plant-based litter. At their age, kittens explore their environment and taste almost everything, including their litter. They often swallow litter, and it risks getting stuck in their digestive tract. Don't hesitate to consult our article to find the best litter for your kitten . We share all our expert advice with you!
Before your kitten arrives, make sure that the plants within reach are not toxic. Kittens often like to chew on leaves and many of them can be dangerous for their health. The same goes for all toxic foods and products (detergent, household products, etc.) or dangerous objects (plastic bags, electrical cables, etc.).
Finally, we strongly recommend that you secure your windows and balconies (using nets for example). Kittens, like adult cats, can be distracted by their outdoor environment and falls or accidents are very common.
What food should you choose for your kitten?
It will be important to choose a good diet for your kitten , healthy and quality kibble and/or pâtés so that it can grow well and be healthy. From birth to 12 months, its food guarantees its growth and the maturation of its physiological system.
There are many kitten foods on the market, but not all are equal. Some kibbles and pâtés contain far too many carbohydrates - nutrients your cat doesn't need - and poor quality proteins that have no nutritional value for your little friend.
For your kitten, you will need to make sure that its kibble and/or pâtés are rich in quality proteins and fats, balanced in phosphorus and calcium, and low in carbohydrates. We share with you on our blog all our advice for choosing the right kibble for your kitten.
Kibble or pâté: what to give your kitten? We also explain everything on our blog (click on the little pink link just before).
Quality kitten kibble and pâtés
At Ziggy, we take care of your kitten as if it were our own.
Formulated by Dr. Géraldine Blanchard, a world-renowned expert in feline nutrition, our kitten kibble and kitten pâtés are rich in quality proteins, low in carbohydrates and contain all the nutrients your kitten needs to grow well and become the most beautiful adult cat. 💛
The Complete Guide to a Happy Kitten
First night, introduction to the family (animals, children)... We share all our advice with you in our guide to a happy kitten.
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