I'm going to adopt a cat and I need some advice?

Question

Heya, I've always been fond of cats and now that I'm on my own I'm looking into adopting one. I was wondering if its better to adopt a kitten or one thats more mature, and does anyone have an idea how hard to toilet train a cat?

Answer 1

When we adopted our cat Misty from a shelter we wanted a more mature cat for two reasons 1) She was already potty trained, less likely to have an accidents and 2) Mature cats are less likely to be adopted. try http://www.petfinder.com/ yo help you find the pet that is right for you. Usually if you set down a liiter box the kitten will go in it. You might want to get one with a lid so they dont miss. Keep in mind if you get a kitten you have to have them sapyed or neutered and get all their shots.

Answer 2

It all depends on how much effort you'd like to put into your cat. If you have energy and time to burn, get a kitten. They are like little children - full of energy and curious about everything. I literally have to 'watch' mine or she will get into something she shouldn't.
If you'd rather have a low-key cat, adopt an older one. Those tend to play and run around less.
On the flip side, with a kitten you can teach it the behaviors that you expect...like no scratching furniture, no walking on the kitchen counter or whathaveyou. An older cat might be set in its ways and hard to break of habits its been used to for a while.
It's not hard to toilet train a cat. Usually if you go through a reputable adoption agency, they will not let you have it until it's finished drinking its mother's milk and is properly litter trained. Once you get it home, just show the cat where the box is and it will remember.
Good luck!

Answer 3

It really just depends on the experiences you'd like to have with your pet and how much work you're willing to put in. Kittens are more work, but you get to see that cute, exploration phase. But, adults are already trained...usually. :) Plus, adults are less likely to be adopted even though they can make wonderful pets. I adopted an adult cat that'd been at the shelter longer than any other cat. And while he had some behavior issues at first, he's turned into such an affection pet, and I can't imagine not having him. It makes me feel good that I took a kitty no one else would. It's kind of like you're doing a good deed by getting an adult--you're definitely saving that animal! And as far as activity level, my cat has more than enough energy and he's over 5yrs old.
Best of luck whatever you choose!

Answer 4

Kittens can be exhausting! Unless you're young and active yourself, and are able to be home with it most of the day for the first week or so, you're better off getting an adult.

I felt like a grandma when I got Poppy as a 3-month old kitten. She tuckered me out!

There is an obvious advantage to getting kittens, but 20 years from now when the girls have gone and I'm ready for another, I will get an adult. I'll be 61 years old *shudder* and a kitten will be too much for me.

If I get hankerings for kittens, I'll volunteer at the HS.

Further thoughts - oftentimes adults can be adopted for free because they have a harder time placing them. I paid $100 each for my two kitties at the HS. Prices vary, but you get the idea.

With an adult, you may already know what bad habits they have. Or issues. What I mean is Poppy has always had digestive issues. I love her to death, but I really enjoy having a cat (Sophie) whose butt doesn't need to be washed. With an adult cat, any issues are likely to be known already.

Answer 5

It all depends on what you want. I got my cat when he was a kitten and I wouldn't trade that experience for anything. Now if you have small children in the home you may want a cat that can defend itself to little people constantly picking them up...and by the time cats are ready to be adopted they're already litter trained! Just when you first get in the house. set the litter box up and put your cat into it right away, especially if its a kitten

Answer 6

The best part of having a cat to me is the kitten experience. You can really sense their personality as they grow up. I usually go to an adoption center and wait to see which one takes to me first. Works every time. The older ones can be difficult sometimes because you don't know their past history. One way or the other, they are the best pets, young or old. You will know when you find the right one...:)

Answer 7

If you want a cat that is affectionate, you're probably best off with a kitten. If you don't mind one that is aloof, an adult will work. Either way, cats are fickle and moody. If you mean litter train, it is very easy. Show them the litter box once and it is done. If you mean truly toilet train, best of luck to you! I know it's been done but I have no idea how.

Answer 8

For myself, I'd always get a kitten every time. You can train
them and teach them not to claw on furniture, giving them the
cat tree/pole and such for them to use instead. You also can
teach the newbie to not climb onto tables, and other things
by telling them 'no' and usuing your fingers to indicate what
is a 'no, no' by pointing to the object. Little things like that you
can teach a kitten to behave over time. A full grown cat, is al-
ready independant, and set in their ways. So you can't break
them, or not easily anyway. If you find a kitten clawing, you
only need to lightly spank their paws, and tell them 'no'. A
full grown cat, might take a swipe at you. Anyway, the kitten
is easier to train thru repetition.
Teaching a kitten to use a litter box, is optional. We just
let them in and out regularly, so that when they had to go, they
would go to the door and sit and maybe 'meow'. But you
have to put some kitty litter somewhere in a flower bed or
sandy area or anywhere there is soft dirt you can sprinkle it
on. And maybe take them to the area until they know where
to go on their own. They like clean potty areas, so you'd
have to rake the stuff over and maybe put down new litter
several times. Same as you would a litter box. You have to
keep the clumps out and smell out by cleaning the box once
or twice a week. As soon as it's looking cluttered. To show
them the litter box first time, sit them into the box of litter,
and take their paw to rake a few times and tell them to go
potty. Saying the word when you put them in the box should
be repetitious, til they learn the word. I never had a problem
with cats and a litter box. They seemed to know what to do
the first time after I traced their paw into the granuals, and
left them to think about what they were doing there. And
they always went before hopping back out.
Kittens are not usually finicky as compared to a grown cat.
You need to watch labels now tho. Don't buy anything made
with ingredients from China as a precaution to poisoning.
We watch all food and pet foods now for that. We've stuck
with the same natural brand for awhile and it's not made with
any by products and fillers. Kittens seem to like moist food
once a day with just a little bit down on a paper towell or on
a little plate. I always left dry kibbles down for little nibbles
during the day when they got older. Since they like milk, I'd
also put a little down in the morning, and in the evening.
Make sure it's not spoiled and warm by the afternoon, or
throw it out, so the kitten doesn't get sick. Same as you
would for a grown cat. Most cats aren't water drinkers, but
you might see if the kitten likes it. And refresh it three times
a day if you can.
Most likely the kitten will want to sleep with you, and sleep
next to you nightly. What a neat feeling to hear it's purring
contentedly in the morning when you wake up. Buy it little
mousie toys it can bat around and drag across a floor, they
love to attack things that move and twitch and can chase. Also little soft mateiral balls are good also.
I hope you enjoy your new kitten/cat. They can be such good
companions. And make so little in demands.

Answer 9

a kitten is more work than an adult, and about ur litter training question most cats will use the box themselves bcuz cats instincts are to go in a certain place

Answer 10

usually at the age of 7 weeks they r usually toilet trained by their past owners.