Should I adopt a cat or kitten?

Question

I recently moved from Oklahoma to New York. I had to leave my 2 year old cat in Oklahoma because my pet movers cancelled on me after I had moved here (long story, but he's fine... lives with my parents and their 2 cats). I really want to adopt a cat up here, but I'm not sure what to get. Our apartment is small (1 bedroom) and I don't want more than 1 pet. I think kittens are cute, but I like cats as well. Would a cat or kitten be better? I need one that'll be fine being alone during the day (the cat/kitten will have toys and things of that nature) because we're gone at work during the day and I don't want to come home to torn up furniture, yet I don't believe in declawing either. If you've ever adopted an older cat, how did the cat adjust to living in a new place? Any suggestions on what cat Ii should get would be great! I already am settled on the cat or kitten being a male, I just don't know what age I should go for...???

Answer 1

Adopting is a wonderful idea! Good for you.

Make a visit to your shelter and look at what they have available for adoption. I can tell you kittens are the first to find homes, it's the adult cats that people don't fall in love with. With an adult cat, it's personality is already established and the shelter workers will be only to happy to tell you which adult cat is their favorite.

Don't look at the color of the adult cat, check out the personality first. That's what's gonna steal your heart away. A cat that's loving, one that comes to the front of the cage to greet you, one that will let you hold him, one that purrs the moment you touch him, that's what you need to look for.

Adopt an adult cat and you save a life!

Answer 2

I'd definitely go for the adult. I adopted a 5 year old & he adapted beutifully. I had him for 15 yrs, and sadly he just passed away in Ma. I recently got a 3 month old kitten & it is a lot of work and a lot of vet bills. The kitten is a wild woman who keeps me up all night running around the house. Don't get me wrong, I DO love her & she's very entertaining, but if I had to do it again, having done both, I'd definetly get an adult. By the way, the adult I adopted was a Maine coon male, but I think any type of adult would be fine. Also, adult cats do better alone, whereas kittens do better in pairs. I've never had a problem w/ a cat or kitten scrtatching furniture. Just get 1 or 2 of those corrugated cardboard scratchers...they seem to love them. Good luck...hope you find a great new friend. I'm sorry you had to give up your other cat, but it's good that your paretns were able to take him in!

Answer 3

You should adopt an already declawed cat. Kittens are cute, but at such a young age, you do not know what kind of personality they will develop. Whether they will be sappy lap cats, or "leave me alone" meanies. At a shelter, they give you the chance to spend time with the cat you may want to take home and they come with all their shots, neutered/spayed already, plus you will know if you are compatible. You won't have to worry about litter-box training or anything. Also, adult cats need less attention than kittens, so if you are at work all day, you can worry a little less.

Answer 4

Sounds like you need a full grown cat. A kitten needs a lot more attention than you can give right now. We adopted a 2 year old cat about 3 years ago and we loved each other right from the start. There are a lot of cats at shelters who have had their shots and been spayed or neutered. I also don't believe in declawing. But all cats don't destroy things. As long as there is something that is theirs to scratch they are happy.

Answer 5

I dont know if you have Petsmart in NY , im sure you do bu they have cat/kitten adoptions in there store.You can see and play with them and they usualy have a brief description of there tempermant.
Kittens are cute, but getting a cat that already knows how to use a litter box is nice too.
Since your apatrment is small and your not letting it outside not a problem. You may want to keep it in one room for a few days when you bring it home so it gets used to its new home. They adjust pretty well, some are a little frieked out at first and get scared, just stay calm and it wil ltoo, if it wants to hide , let it.
Thats why I suggest the one room at first.
Age, well under a few years if you can

Answer 6

The choice is up to you. Kittens take more training time, but they grow up to be cats. Cat's usually take to a liter box, quickly. It's easier to train them to not scratch. But kittens can be bathed, easily. Both are precious. I would never have a cat declawed, either. When I adopted my Alex, he was 7 years old (in human years). He immediately took to my home, which at the time was a house, that my mother sold, since then. He disciplined the dog, we had. But when we had visitors or company, he was shy. Now,
we Alex and I) live on our own, and he's not shy at all, ( so far) when Mother comes, whith or with out my step father, when my brother comes or when other relatives that he's familiar with come. He's content, and he keeps me happy. So, I guess we could say, he adjusted well. He doesn't like to travel in cars, but he's ok. The few times we traveled together in a car I used to have, he was fine, after we sort of had a conversation.

Answer 7

Adopt an adult cat who has already been declawed (and spayed or neutered)...

I have ONLY ever adopted adults (one was declawed before adoption as I would never subject another cat to that torture)... all worked out just fine and I still have 2 of them today.

kittens often get adopted while adults are often passed over simply because of age - I find this so sad.... as they need homes too.. PLUS an adult cat will be less destructive than a kitten, you can ask for one that was relinquished by an owner that was an indoor only cat - this will be better than one that was partially or fully outdoors...

good luck

Answer 8

Get a 1 to 2 year old cat. At that age, they are through their kitten stage of clawing up everything in sight, and moving to a new place isn't as stressful on them as it would be an older cat. Check out your local animal shelter. They probably have the right cat for you.

Answer 9

Get a teenager cat.
However, I live in Oklahoma and am totally against declawing cats. You know how the country is. If a declawed cat gets out around here, it's a goner.
Good luck. I know you will make the best decision.


P.S. Good answer Sunny!

Answer 10

IMO a kitten would be a bad choice. To be alone all day in an apartment by himself would not be a great life for a youngster. They have so much life and energy the kitten would be inclined to sleep during the day when you are at work and bug you all night wanting attention and playtime. I don't think it's right to make one pet completely dependent on you for its emotional fulfillment.

An older cat would be much better. They have fully settled into their ultimate "cattiness" and will be happy to only have your company in the evenings and maybe want to share your bed at night.