I'm going to get a new kitten, how do I choose one with a good personality?

There are 3 distinct cat personality types: active/outgoing, shy/timid, and active/aggressive. If you’re going to pick out a new kitten, you’ll want to find one that is friendly and well socialized. So take a kitten you like to a quiet corner and make sure she’s content to sit in your lap and be stroked. One who constantly struggles may not be for you. You might also want to tease the kitten with a feather or piece of yarn to see if she plays. If she bats and pounces on it, she’s a normal, inquisitive kitty.

If you’re trying to find a kitten that won’t chase birds and chipmunks, ask about the mother cat. Predatory aggression is inherited and learned, so the mother’s behavior may give you insight into her kitten’s future traits.

– Dr. Larry McDaniel, DVM for the “Purina® Animal Instincts” Podcast Series

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