How to check a kitten before you buy, what to actually look for
Why this check matters more than people think
A kitten can look perfectly adorable in a photo and still be dealing with something you can't see at first glance, an infection, worms, a skin issue, or simply being too young to have left its mother yet. Catching this before you commit saves you a heartbreaking vet visit in the first week, and it saves the kitten from being separated from its mother before it was ready.
This isn't about being paranoid or difficult with a seller. A genuine breeder won't mind you checking, in fact, they'll usually point these things out to you themselves. It's the sellers who get impatient with these questions who are actually giving you the clearest red flag of all.
But first, understand who you're actually buying from
India has a few very different kinds of kitten sources, and knowing which one you're dealing with changes everything about what to check.
Farm breeders
These operate at a commercial scale, breeding as many litters as possible and pushing kittens out for quick sale. The focus stays on volume, and things like proper health screening often get skipped entirely. A kitten looking cute matters more to them than the kitten actually being healthy.
Home-based catteries
A big step up from farm breeding. Breeding here follows the parent cats' natural cycles and health, not a sales calendar, so kittens and their mothers stay healthy and unstressed throughout. Litters are smaller and far better looked after.
Homebred owners
Usually first-time cat parents who breed their own pet only once or twice in its lifetime, then get it spayed or neutered afterward. Because it's personal, not commercial, every detail gets attention, food, health checks, and general care, all done properly, with nothing cut short.
Farm breeders tend to hand kittens off to local shops the moment they're ready, because tracking what happens to each one afterward was never really the point. Homebred owners and home-based catteries do the opposite, they won't hand a kitten to a shop where it might sit around uncared for. They want to know exactly where it's going.
This is the exact gap Royal Kitten was built to close. We only work with homebred owners and home-based catteries, never farm sources, and health stays the one thing we never compromise on. Every kitten clears a three-step verification process before it ever reaches a new home, something you won't find offered anywhere else in India right now. Below, we'll walk you through exactly how we check a kitten, and what you should be checking yourself if you're buying from someone else, so you never end up caught off guard later.
How to check a kitten before buying, through India's most popular Royal Kitten three-step verification
The moment you book a kitten with us, the process starts, and it starts before the kitten even leaves for home. The person who hands your kitten to you at delivery isn't just any delivery person. It's one of our own cat experts, someone who has spent years around kittens and knows exactly what a healthy one looks and acts like. Before a kitten reaches you, it goes through three checks. It only moves ahead if it passes each one.
Our expert checks the kitten in person
This is the first step. Our cat expert checks the kitten from head to tail, either in person or over a close video call if you're buying from far away. Here's what we look at.
Eyes
The eyes should look bright, clear, and open. No discharge, redness, or extra watering. Some breeds like Persians naturally have a bit more tear staining because of how their face is shaped, but the eye itself should still look clean and alert, not cloudy or half closed.
Coat and skin
The coat should look clean and full, with no bald spots, scabs, or flaky skin. We part the fur in a few places to check closely. Tiny black specks can mean fleas, and that's something we always look out for.
Ears
The inside of the ears should be clean and light pink. Dark, waxy build-up or a bad smell can mean ear mites. These are common in kittens but need to be treated before the kitten goes home, not after.
Nose
The nose should be clean with no discharge. A runny or crusty nose can be a sign of infection, especially if the kitten is also sneezing.
Breathing
We watch the kitten breathe for a few seconds. It should sound quiet and steady, not wheezy or heavy, and it shouldn't come with a lot of sneezing or coughing.
Body and belly
A healthy kitten should feel like the right weight for its age, not too thin with ribs showing, and not unusually round in the belly either, which can sometimes point to worms.
Gums and teeth
The gums should be pink, not pale or white, which can point to low blood count or parasites, and not overly red or swollen either. Easy to check while the kitten yawns or is being gently held.
Tail and rear
This area should be clean, with no signs of loose motion or matted fur, which can point to a stomach problem.
Health isn't only about the body though, so we watch how the kitten behaves too.
- Alert and curious. A healthy kitten shows interest in what's around it, it doesn't hide constantly or stay completely still.
- Playful in short bursts. Kittens sleep a lot, that's normal, but when awake they should show some energy.
- Eating on its own. By eight weeks and older, a kitten should be able to eat solid kitten food by itself.
- Comfortable being handled. A little shyness around new people is fine, but a kitten raised around humans usually settles down within a few minutes.
- Litter trained. We confirm this and, wherever we can, show it to you on video.
A separate vet check
After our own check, the kitten is examined again, this time by a vet, completely separate from what our team already found. The vet goes through a full clinical check.
Basic physical check
- Weight, to see if it matches the kitten's age
- Temperature, to rule out fever or a body that's too cold
- Heart rate and breathing rate
- Hydration levels
- Body condition, not too thin, not overweight
- Activity and alertness, active and responsive versus dull or tired
Head-to-tail check
- Eyes, checked for discharge, redness, infection, or anything unusual
- Nose, checked for discharge or blockage
- Mouth and gums, colour, teeth, and any ulcers or infection
- Ears, checked for mites, wax build-up, infection, or discharge
- Skin and coat, checked for fleas, ticks, fungal infection, or wounds
- Belly, checked for swelling, pain, or anything unusual
- Legs and joints, how the kitten walks, any weakness or injury
- Rear area, checked for unusual discharge, swelling, or cleanliness
- Lymph nodes, checked for swelling or signs of inflammation
The FPV test
The last step is a test for feline panleukopenia, usually just called FPV. It's a serious infection that's fairly common in young kittens, and it doesn't always show up during a normal check-up. We run this test using a quick FPV test kit, similar to how a home test kit works, so we get a clear result on the spot instead of waiting on a lab. This is the final check before a kitten is cleared to go to its new home.
If a kitten doesn't pass even one of these three steps, it doesn't go to a new home, simple as that. For us, a kitten's health always comes first, no matter how ready a buyer feels or how far along the process is. A kitten only reaches you once we're genuinely sure it's healthy enough to.
Ready to bring home a checked, healthy kitten?
Now that you know what to look for, you don't have to go looking alone. Royal Kitten delivers verified, home-raised kittens across major Indian cities. Tap your city to see what's available near you.
Every kitten listed on these pages has already been through the same three-step verification you just read about. No surprises after delivery, just a healthy kitten from a real home.
Buying from somewhere else? Here's your kitten health checklist
Not everyone buys from us, and that's completely fine. If you're getting a kitten from another seller, here's a simple checklist to go through before you say yes. Whether you're meeting the kitten in person or looking at it over a video call, these are the things worth checking with your own eyes.
How the kitten looks
Eyes are bright, clear, and open, with no redness, discharge, or extra watering.
Coat looks clean and full, no bald patches, scabs, or flaky skin anywhere.
No tiny black specks in the fur when you part it, that can be a sign of fleas.
Ears look clean and light pink inside, no dark wax or bad smell.
Nose is clean, no discharge or crusting around it.
Gums look pink, not pale, white, or overly red.
Body feels like the right weight, not too thin and not oddly round in the belly.
No signs of loose motion or matted fur around the tail and rear.
How the kitten breathes and moves
Breathing sounds quiet and steady, not wheezy or laboured.
No constant sneezing or coughing during the visit or call.
Walks normally, no limping, stiffness, or obvious weakness.
Stays steady on its feet, not wobbly or off balance.
How the kitten behaves
Seems alert and curious about its surroundings, not constantly hiding.
Shows some playfulness when awake, even in short bursts.
Eating solid kitten food on its own, if it's eight weeks or older.
Settles down after a few minutes of being handled, some shyness is fine.
Seller confirms the kitten is litter trained, and can show it if asked.
What the seller should be willing to share
A real, recent video of the actual kitten, not a stock photo or an old picture.
Proof of a vet visit or health check, not just a verbal promise.
Honest answers about where and how the kitten was raised.
No pressure to pay the full amount before you've even seen the kitten properly.
If a kitten seems unusually quiet, wobbly on its feet, or doesn't react to sound or movement at all, that's not something to ignore. Ask the seller to get it checked by a vet before you take it home.
The safest approach is to do both. Go through this checklist yourself first, then always get the kitten checked by a vet near you too, that's what actually confirms whether it's healthy, not just a visual check alone.
And here's the thing, you don't have to buy from Royal Kitten to get our help. We offer a free consultation for anyone buying a kitten, from us or otherwise. Just share a video of the kitten you're considering with our team, and our experts will help you understand its health and nature before you decide. After that, getting it looked at by a vet nearby is always the right next step.
Get a free consultationChecking a Kitten Before Buying – FAQs
People searching this topic usually have a few worries in common. Here are the most common questions, answered in plain language.
Why is it important to check a kitten before buying it?
A kitten can look perfectly healthy in a photo and still have something wrong that isn't visible right away, like an infection, worms, or a skin issue. Checking beforehand can save you a difficult vet visit in the first week, and it also protects the kitten from being taken from its mother too early.
What is the difference between farm breeders, home-based catteries, and homebred owners in India?
Farm breeders focus on volume and often skip proper health checks. Home-based catteries breed based on the parent cats' natural health and cycles, so kittens are better looked after. Homebred owners usually breed their own pet only once or twice and give every kitten close, personal attention. Knowing which type you're buying from changes what you should check.
What is Royal Kitten's three-step verification process?
Every kitten goes through three separate checks before it's cleared for delivery. First, our own cat expert examines the kitten physically. Second, an independent vet does a full clinical check. Third, the kitten is tested for FPV using a quick test kit. If a kitten doesn't clear all three, it isn't delivered.
What is the FPV test, and how is it done?
FPV stands for feline panleukopenia, a serious infection that's fairly common in young kittens and doesn't always show up in a normal check-up. It's tested using a quick FPV test kit, similar to how a home test works, so results come back on the spot instead of waiting on a lab.
What should I check before buying a kitten from any seller, not just Royal Kitten?
Look at the eyes, ears, nose, coat, gums, and belly for anything unusual, and watch how the kitten breathes, moves, and behaves. Just as important, ask the seller for a real video of the actual kitten, proof of a health check, and honesty about how it was raised. A seller who gets impatient with these questions is usually a red flag.
Should I still take the kitten to a vet even after checking it myself?
Yes, always. A visual check helps you catch obvious issues, but only a vet can properly confirm a kitten is healthy. The safest approach is to check the kitten yourself first, then get it examined by a vet near you before or right after bringing it home.
What happens if a kitten fails one of Royal Kitten's health checks?
It simply doesn't go to a new home. Health comes before everything else for us, so a kitten only reaches a buyer once it has genuinely cleared all three verification steps, no exceptions.
Can I get help checking a kitten I'm buying from someone else?
Yes. Royal Kitten offers a free consultation for anyone buying a kitten, even if it's not from us. Just share a video of the kitten with our team, and our experts will help you understand its health and nature before you decide.
What are common warning signs that a kitten might be unhealthy?
Watch out for cloudy or watery eyes, a runny nose, dark wax or a bad smell in the ears, a pot-bellied stomach, wheezy breathing, or a kitten that seems unusually quiet, wobbly, or unresponsive. Any of these are worth asking the seller about directly, or getting checked by a vet before you commit.