How to Avoid Buying a ‘Sunday Cat’ (Sick Kitten)

1 Overview

Is it true sellers inject stimulants/serum before shipping sick cats?

First, I’ve run a cattery for years and never knew what ‘stimulant’ you mean. I often hear people say their dog/cat must have been given a stimulant—after it wore off, the cat died within a week. My peers and I… never heard of such a thing. And serum is a very expensive drug.

Feline panleukopenia serum is antibodies extracted from a cat that has them—e.g., a cat that survived the disease has antibodies, and extracting them from its serum can treat infected cats. But extraction is too costly; few sell it now.

Monoclonal antibody is not some high-end drug; it copies the antibody via technology.

Immunoglobulin (Ig) refers to globulins with antibody activity or similar structure. So these three are the same thing; serum is outdated, immunoglobulin is like antibody, and FPV monoclonal is a drug that specifically binds the virus.

After explaining the three substances, you see how absurd it is to say a sick cat is given serum then falls ill at home.

Serum is so expensive—would a dealer really use it? If it worked, why not cure the cat before selling?

Also, understanding these drugs means you won’t be tricked into overbuying unnecessary meds on Taobao; some sellers push both immunoglobulin and monoclonal—unnecessary together, and I think monoclonal works better than globulin.

So what actually causes Sunday cats?

Feline panleukopenia! It’s an acute, highly contagious disease with about a one-week incubation, up to 90% mortality in kittens, costly treatment, and low survival.

Why panleukopenia? The cause is complex—environment, feeding, long transport. Many Sunday cats have it because of weak constitution; those few-hundred-yuan cats cost less than a month of my cat food, so do you think they eat good food and supplements? Only cheap kibble, no extra nutrition—naturally weak and sickly, more easily infected. But be clear: the virus causes the disease; the three-way vaccine is the only prevention.

Yet some owners spent big and still got a sick cat—meaning they didn’t do homework or keep eyes open.

How can owners avoid Sunday cats?

One: observe the cat’s vital signs

1. Mental state

A healthy cat is spirited and lively—playfulness is key. If it looks listless and unwilling to move, it’s likely sick. Healthy cats play and run nimbly.

2. Appetite

Normally appetite is strong; the first few days in a new home it may not eat—normal, recovers gradually. But if it keeps refusing food and vomits or has diarrhea, it’s likely panleukopenia.

Two: distinguish by purchase channel

1. Street vendors

At malls or parks you sometimes see vendors selling pets, but cats bought there are likely Sunday cats—premature birth, long transport, constant panic, easily sick.

2. Online purchase

Online is most people’s choice and the most common channel for Sunday cats and scams. With uneven quality, how to tell good from bad sellers? Reputable sellers keep cats at home, limited numbers, post daily videos. Bad sellers post cats like numbered merchandise—overwhelming, factory-like—and prices are very low.

3. Cattery purchase

A cattery is a good choice—CFA catteries and home-breeder catteries. CFA catteries sell cats with pedigree certificates, high health and conformation assurance, but high prices. Home breeders are more affordable; some allow visits. Health is generally guaranteed 7 days; if a seller won’t guarantee health or only the day of, be cautious.

3. Adoption

Two ways: kittens from friends’ pets, or cats from dedicated adoption agencies. Both are very safe, so consider adoption.

Healthy cats make happier owners!

All this owners do is for a healthy, happy cat. News of Sunday pets is endless; hope every owner keeps eyes open and finds a truly loved, healthy pet for life!