Is it best to adopt a cat when its a kitten or when its an adult?

Answer 1

It depends on what you are prepared to handle. I would prefer always to begin with them as babies and watch them grow and change, but they are babies. Kittens are up, down, and all over the place as they check out their new world. They need your guidance to understand what they can and cannot do. It takes a bit of work. If you are not prepared for that, then get an older cat that has settled into it's life already.

Answer 2

We adopted our cat from the local shelter when she was about a year old. We then acquired two kittens (long story) and while they are very cute and fun to watch, I would say our adult cat was much easier to live with. The kittens are just into EVERYTHING and require a lot of chasing around and removing them from places they shouldn't be. Our adult cat, while very curious at first, learned the rules a lot faster and listens much better than the kittens. I love all three of them, but I think adopting an adult cat is the best way to go. Plus I liked being able to give an adult cat a good home, since they are usually not adopted as easily.

Answer 3

Listen to BVC. I prefer to adopt older cats because nobody wants them. There is no such thing as a "No Kill" shelter. When there is no more room, they move them to a shelter that euthanizes them, if they aren't adopted. My One year old cat was scheduled to be euthanized the day before I showed up. Kittens get adopted more easily, sure, but some people don't like them when they grow up and they end up back at the shelter because they aren't "cute" anymore. Those people shouldn't have cats in the first place. I pick mine out by personality, and I haven't had a bad one, yet. I don't need to "mold" a cat. You can't. They do what they do. You either love them or not, and if you do, you can have the friend you need, because they are who they are, and you love them for it. You can't change them to be who they aren't. They do what they do because they enjoy it, and for no other reason. If they enjoy it with you, you are a very lucky human being!

Answer 4

I've gone both ways when adopting, and I prefer adult. Kittens are cute and adorable, but they don't sleep through the night (my first kitten would wake me up at 2:00 am by sitting on my chest and meowing in my face so I would play-cute, but not so when you have to wake up at 5:00 am to go to class!), are likely to chew on electric cables and wiring (if you work long hours, a kitten isn't recommended unless you can keep him in a room where he won't get in trouble), they'll get into EVERYTHING-if adult cats are curious, kittens are 10,000 times worse! *lol* Also, as everyone else has said: kittens need to be litter trained, and they need a lot more attention to help control their boundless energy. They also need booster shots, depending on how young they are, which will involve extra expenses at the vet's.
Adult cats are SO underrated! It's sad, and a terrible waste of possible loyal companions. Most adult cats in shelters are already socialized, and socialized well; some are already used to being around other cats, dogs and children (you don't have to deal with the headache of doing this yourself) - ask if you see an adult cat you like; if it was dropped in because its previous owners couldn't care for it anymore, the shelter will be able to give you his/her past history. Some shelters who put adult cats in foster homes before being adopted go out of the way to get them properly socialized so they'll make the most wonderful pets possible, especially the shelters that specialize in cats. Adult cats also already have developed their personalities-you already know what he is going to be like when you meet him (you'll know he isn't psycho or bipolar *lol*); they're already litter box-trained; they don't require 24/7 monitoring like a little kitten does; some are already neutered and have adjusted to the hormonal change; and most of the time their shots are up-to-date. So many wonderful adult cats are put down at shelters because no one wanted to adopt them because they were already grown-it's not fair. Adult cats, even healthy seniors, will play and have fun like a kitten, but on a more reasonable schedule. Take a look at the adult cats at your local shelter and ask about their histories, meet a few, give them a chance. Good luck choosing your new kitty! :)

Answer 5

It depends on what you'd like.

I've adopted both kittens and adult cats. Kittens are cute and fun, but do have a tendency to get into some trouble (curtain climbing, unrolling all the toilet paper, hiding somewhere where you can't find them). If they haven't been spayed or neutered at a shelter than you'll have to have that taken care of, plus vaccinations in the beginning.... all the things you'd need to do with a new baby.

Adult cats I have found tend to be more laid back once they get used to their environment. Mostly all of them are spayed and neutered and only need their yearly vaccinations and physicals.

I've enjoyed adopting both and have always ended up happy with my choices.

Answer 6

It's a "horse" a piece! There are good arguments for both, so it's completely up to you.

The advantages of getting kittens is that you actually have a chance of molding them to suit you. You can teach them not to scratch furniture, to eat the right food, to not do this and not do that. In short, you won't have any bad habits to "unteach" them.

The con side is that you have to know how to teach them those things. You need time and patience. Plus you may end up accidentally teaching them bad habits yourself.

When you get an adult, you're dealing with a cat which is likely set in its ways. If it hasn't been taught proper behavior, you may have a fight on your hands.

I've had both. I got one cat as an adult. I could never brush her hair or her teeth or cut her claws. She hated car rides and going to the vet. But I loved her dearly and she pretty much laid down the rules for me.

After she died, I got two kittens. I swore I would teach them to allow the things Martha wouldn't, and for the most part I was successful.

The other plus is that there are so many adult cats out there awaiting adoption. They're just ready and waiting to love their new parents!

Answer 7

There are advantages to adopting a cat that is a yr. old or older. 1.) They are less likely to get adopted so you could be saving it's life. 2.) They need less immunization shots 3.) They are usually already litter box trained And no matter how old the cat is it needs a loving home. Cats of all ages can be fun, loving and affectionate. Check out your local Pound or Humane Society you'll know when you found the right cat for you! There adoption fee might be around $50.00 but alot of pounds and Humane Societies usually give them shots before getting adopted , so in the long run that it's self could save you money. Good Luck!

Answer 8

Kittens are easier, but I had no problems even with the adults I adopted, they all need good homes and I am more likely to take an adult for the reason that few people do so they don't find good homes for them in time often.

Answer 9

Introducing the new kittens may still be a bit of step for your older cat even though she will be better off with the companionship. Introduce the kittens gradually, and try to provide a few retreats for your older cat to get away from the kittens when they are too much - a cat tree low enough for her to get up on, a bed on top of a piece of furniture, somewhere high yet accessible (I don't know how agile she is at her age).

Here is an article on introducing new cats (or kittens) to a resident pet. It's a good idea to first allow your olde rcat to meet the kittens while they are inside a cat carrier or similar arrnagement so she can smell them and get used to them without feeling overwhelmed. Of course be sure to give her plenty of extra attention so she knows she is still the center of the universe :)

http://catnet.stanford.edu/articles/introducing_cats.html

Good luck!

Answer 10

I prefer older cats. So many people adopt kittens that the older cats are left out of the loop. Older cats are calmer, they do not have a tendency to tear up things and chew through wiring, they are more than likely litter trained and adopting them gives them a new lease on life!