Well, since we was talkin’ ’bout cats the last time when we was a tellin’ ya about the 10 cat breeds that are great for kids, we might as well talk about em some more. If ya listened to me and my Lady, ya probably know if a cat is right for your family. Well, there’s more to it than that. There’s a world of difference between a cute li’l kitty an a growed up cat. My Lady’s gonna tell ya some things for ya to chew the fat with the family over while your makin’ up yer minds.
Kitten or Adult Cat: Which is for You?
Why Get a Kitten?
Well, have you seen them? There’s very little in the world that is cuter than a kitten. There are also very few pets that are more mischievous than a kitten. They make a lot of messes and get themselves into trouble pretty quickly because they are constantly exploring and learning. Think very active young child and you have about the half of a kitten. They need a safe environment and a lot of attention. If you have older children that can help with a kitten, they could be a good fit with your family. By the same token, if it’s just you and you aren’t gone for work for extended periods, a kitten can work.
Be ready for the expense of a kitten as well. Vet bills for shots, illness, sterilization (most likely) and the chance of injury can add up quickly with a kitten. If you are able to provide a lot of attention and guidance plus the veterinary care, you could be a perfect kitten owner, just remember the last, most important thing. Kittens grow into cats, and while there are many benefits to owning an adult cat, many people forget that fact.
Why An Adult Cat?
If you want a cat but have decided a kitten isn’t for you, don’t worry, there are many advantages to adopting a fully grown cat. The biggest perk is you know what you are getting. You know how big the cat will be, what personality the cat has, is it mellow or active – you can see exactly how it will fit into your lifestyle.
Don’t worry about a cat not growing up with your children. A well cared for cat can live for fifteen or more years, so even if you adopt a five year old cat, you still have many years with the same cat.
When you adopt a grown cat, make sure you find out any known history or issues with the cat, such as why it ended up in a shelter. Even if there were behavior problems, it is likely that a new environment and a little patience can correct them. It’s very possible the cat was acting out due to how it was treated. If it wouldn’t use a litter box, that doesn’t mean it can’t learn, it could just mean that the cat is even more finicky than most about how clean the box is. Cats will NOT use a dirty litter box, keep it scooped and you very likely won’t have any problems.
There are plenty of adult cats that would be great in any home but are overlooked because a kitten is so cute. The reality is adult cats are great pets for almost any lifestyle and will bond in a new home easily. It’s possible they will bond with your family even more quickly because you rescued them from the shelter.
It’s worth giving an adult cat strong consideration if you are looking for a pet for your family.
These are great tips! While my son was growing up, we had a few kittens that, of course, grew into cats. When I started living on my own, I adopted an adult cat. Only because I wanted to rescue. I’ve had her for 7 years now and she’s 15 years old. Actually, she wouldn’t have been a good fit with children. The shelter told me she was mean and she is. Fortunately, I just let her do what she wants and don’t bother her. If I had children, I wouldn’t want a cat they couldn’t interact with. 🙂
I’m really not an animal person. Not at all. If I had to choose I’d get a kitten. Adult cats take longer to get used to new surroundings.
Good list of ideas of what to think about when you are thinking of getting a cat vs a kitten. Kittens generally don’t have difficulties getting homes when compared to adult cats.
I’m a big supporter of getting an adult cat; like you said, it seems like everyone wants to get kittens and not as many people want the adult cats. I adopted an adult cat from the local animal control shelter and she was an awesome cat!
If I were to ever get a pet it would be a cat. Well, kitten. Cats by the time they’re adult, are already set in their ways. At least with a kitten, you can train them.
I’ve had both kittens and adult cats. Kittens were fun when I was younger and had more energy. My last 2 cats were older and easier for me to deal with and I knew the people who had to give them up since they were moving.
We decided to get two kittens from the same litter when we got our cats. We have two dogs and thought that getting them as kittens would allow them to integrate easily into the family with our canine fur-babies. We also decided to get two, instead of just one, so they would have a playmate.
If I could I would adopt an adult cat. I am getting older too, LOL We both can go at an easier pace!!
Yeah, I’m pretty sure a kitten just isn’t for me. A cat that needs a loving home, preferably an older cat, that seems to be what I’d go for. Thanks for the advice in this post, it helped. 🙂
When I got mine he was 10 months approx.
I agree that most people want kittens but I think adult cats, especially if they are already house trained can be a good choice and are less likely to be adopted by anyone else.