My guess is getting a kitten, but maybe someone else knows something I don't. Thanks!
2007-06-20 10:56:39 · 21 answers · asked by Light Fly 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
Why not adopt an older adult cat? They are the hardest to home because people always want kittens. But an older cat will be so grateful to have a kind home, enough to eat, a warm place to sleep -- go and check out your local shelters!
2007-06-20 11:00:38 · answer #1 · answered by Terri B 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Don't get a kitten unless you are home all day. Also, if you get a kitten, consider adopting 2 kittens at once. They not only keep each other company, they will "train" each other in certain things, like biting. I had a solo kitten I was fostering and he was a horrible little ankle chewer. After spending a week with another kitten who was as much of an ankle chewer as she was, she learned to stop gnawing on other living things.
I would prefer an adult cat, though. Adults know the routine, they won't bother you a lot, and they will be so grateful to have a real home if you get one from a shelter. There are so many deserving pets waiting for a home, some on death row...
2007-06-20 18:55:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kittens and grown cats can make good pets, depending on the circumstances of the person adopting them. Kittens are extremely energetic, may require a substantial amount of training, and can be destructive until they earn good manners.
If you have lots of time and energy, get a kitten and raise it from babyhood. It will bond strongly with you and the kitten months are a lot of fun. There's nothing quite as silly as a clownish kitten.
However, if you are older or have limited time to spend on behavior modification, consider rescuing an older pet. You'll find many loving pets at your local SPCA, rescue organization, or animal shelter. People give up well-behaved, loving pets for a number of reasons--a move, illness, allergy, and other situations that have nothing to do with bad behavior on the part of the cat. In fact, many shelter cats are yearning to live again with a human friend.
In either case, visit a shelter and spend some time with the available kittens or adult cats. Find a cat that seems to want to bond with you. I've literally had a shelter cat climb into my arms. I had gone to the shelter looking for a particular breed of cat, but I went home with the affectionate cat who told me through her actions that she was my new best friend.
Good luck to you. You can't go wrong rescuing either a kitten or an adult cat. It's really up to you to determine which age best fits your lifestyle. Do be aware, though, that an adult cat who has always been an outdoor cat may not adapt well to becoming a 100% indoor cat. Instead, you may end up with an escape artist who spends all of her waking hours waiting to bolt through an open door to the great outdoors.
2007-06-20 18:39:36 · answer #3 · answered by Lucy L 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My wife (and me by association) have been fostering cats for years. So I've had the best and worst of both!
As cute as kittens are, I prefer adults myself, but...
Pro: Kittens are playful.
con: Kittens are playful...really playful. Keep in mind that it's going to tear h*ll around the house when it's awake. It will tear things up, have accidents, etc... If you want to raise a wonderfully friendly cat, you have to cater to it ALOT. It's work, takes patience. If you push it away in a moment of exhausted frustration to much, it will reflect later in it's personality that rejection. You're responsible for help forming it's personality, which sounds great, but it's a HUGE responsibility.
Pro: Kittens are cuddly, tiny and cute!
Con: Kittens (if not pre-checked by vet, and even then) have a high mortality rate. Alot of things can go wrong. They're delicate. It isn't until the third month that you aren't in that danger period.
Pro: Adults are calmer and...Adult. You pick an adult, the personality you see is what you get. They won't run you ragged, but they will be playful clowns if you invite them to be so. If you've gotten a clean bill of helath from a vet, then the chances of developing health issues later on are alot less.
Pro and Con: There are so many adult cats out there in need of adoption. The ratio of kitten/adult adoption is sad. We have wonderful adult cats sitting about here who wait for a home simply because they are no longer kittens.
Do what speaks to your heart. Just keep in mind if you get a kitten, make sure it has someone to be with it or it will get lonely. (the same can be said for an adult, depending on it's personality).
2007-06-20 18:20:21 · answer #4 · answered by Pooka 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kittens are, I will readily admit, one of the most adorable little balls of fluff on the face of the planet. They are fun, energetic, and wonderful.
HOWEVER--there is a period in a kittens/cats life called "The Terrible Twos."
This happens at or around the age of six months. At about that time, kitties attitude toward you may change, he or she will be going through those adolescent "growing pains," and may not be very affectionate or cuddly during this time.
They are even more energetic than usual, enjoy running from one end of your house to the other, curtain climbing :p, clawing, scratching, rough playing with you and or/harsh biting as she learns about growing up and where her place is in the house.
If you get a cat that is 1-2 years old, not only do you not have to (usually) train them to use the litter box, MOST have passed the "Terrible Two" stage and have begun to settle down in a more sedate adult attitude. (Though they'll still do crazy silly things--as cats are wont to do!)
In the end, it's up to you. Both ages of cats will always have moments that are handfuls, but the rewards and love is endless and the same.
Good luck to you, whatever you decide.
2007-06-20 18:04:26 · answer #5 · answered by elf_fu 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are a lot of great answers out there already! I would have to say it's a personal preference. When you get an adult you can tell its personality before you adopt it. I have a soft hard for adult cats because they are harder to adopt. Here's a suggestion, get a "young" kitten between the age of 6 months and a year, they are still young and full of energy but also old enough to have a personality and be a bit hard to adopt. I am not sure if you know, but petfinder.com is a great site to try!
2007-06-20 18:15:25 · answer #6 · answered by CC 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Adoption of older cats can bring problems, but then there no guarantees with kittens either.
You will want to know that the cat is declaewed, fixed and have a history of his litter box history. Some cats would rather spray furniture and carpeting then use the litter box... be prepared to bring the cat back within a day or 2....if this shows to be the case. Older cats are set in their behavior pattern...not always good.
Kittens take time and effort so they know what they can and can't do. You also have to make sure they are litter box trained....this time by you.
These are just some of the reasons, I won't ever have a cat... while independent and easier to care for than dogs..... the independence can also be a negative.
Gold Fisj are nice...if you forget to feed them and they die...flush and buy again.
2007-06-20 18:21:13 · answer #7 · answered by westfield47130 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If the full grown cat was a house cat before you should have no problems. If they were an outside cat or if your not sure, I would go with a kitten. Once a cat has been outside, they really prefer to go outside.
2007-06-20 18:01:03 · answer #8 · answered by B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kittens are fun, but FULL of energy. When they get to an age where they're close to full grown but still have tons of kitten energy they get into everything and can act out if they don't have lots of play time and attention.
If you're looking for a cat to cuddle with you at night and sleep on your lap you will make a great home for a cat who will greatly appreciate your care. (Though I agree, find out if they have been in a home before)
2007-06-20 18:04:15 · answer #9 · answered by Lauren A 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
ok I've had four cats not at one time but over a period of 12 years, ok but to answerer your question it depends on how much time you're willing to devote to your new house guest if a lot then yes go for the kitten but if i say go for a cat that's between 1-2 years old already potty trained and pretty much independent oh and if you go to a shelter like apl (animal protective league) that's even better because most of those cats are trained and usually very sociable OK good luck!
2007-06-20 18:10:07 · answer #10 · answered by angelique g 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a kitten, so you it grow up around you. You can build a relationship from the ground up and be able to train him/her to obey certain rules alot easier.
When you get a cat when their grown they tend to carry over habits from their previous owner and tend to do what they want until you show them their role and it takes some time, but its worth it.
Grown cats can get rid of rodents, lizards, and roaches better, if they get into your house. thats a plus.
Good luck, if you get a kitten make sure you get another kitten so they can play together.
2007-06-20 18:08:50 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋