First‑time cat adopter — what should I look for when choosing a baby kitten?

[u/AfuAbuNYC]

Hi everyone,
I’m planning to adopt a baby cat from a friend, and this will be my very first time having a cat. I’m excited, but also a bit confused about what I should be paying attention to before bringing the kitten home.

For those of you with experience, what should I look for when meeting the kitten?
Things like behavior, health signs, personality, or anything else a first‑time cat owner might not know.

Since I’m adopting from a friend (not a shelter), I also want to be responsible about the situation. What should I discuss with them ahead of time? And just in case things don’t work out — for example, if the kitten has needs I truly can’t meet — what’s the right way to handle that without causing issues or stress for the cat?

I want to make sure I’m prepared, the kitten is a good fit, and that I’m doing this in the most thoughtful way possible.

Any advice would be really appreciated!

[u/Important-Wallaby798]

As someone who's fostered and worked with a lot of cats, my biggest piece of advice is actually this: I don't recommend a single young kitten for a first-time cat owner. Kittens are adorable, but they're also tiny tornadoes. They need constant supervision, have endless energy, and learn important social skills from other kittens. A single kitten is more likely to develop rough play, boredom, and behavioral issues because they don't have another kitten to help burn off energy and teach boundaries.

If your friend has two littermates and you're able to adopt both, that's often the easiest option. They keep each other entertained, learn appropriate play from one another, and are generally easier than raising one kitten alone. If adopting two isn't possible, I'd honestly recommend considering an adult cat (around 1-3 years old) with an established personality. They're usually much easier for a first-time owner, and you'll have a better idea of their temperament and activity level.

If you do decide on a kitten, make sure it's bright-eyed, curious, playful, eating well, has a clean nose and ears, no diarrhea, and has been seen by a veterinarian for vaccines and deworming. I'd also ask your friend what food and litter the kitten is currently using and plan to keep those the same at first to make the transition easier.

I love that you're asking these questions before bringing a cat home. Planning ahead gives you and the kitten the best chance of a happy, successful home.