Which cat should be picked?

Question

My mother wants a new cat or kitten. She is going to adopt from our local shelter. The new cat will be mostly outside, in her sunroom, and in her garage.

All of the cats at the shelter are reasonably young. Should she get a 6 to 8 week old kitten or a cat that is 2 to 4 months old? Will one stay closer to home than the other and be a better outside cat?

She may decide to adopt two cats. Is that a good or bad idea? Does it matter if the two are close in age, or would a 8 week old and 4 month old be okay?

Thanks for your insight and, yes, the cats will be spayed or neutered and vaccinated.

Elayne, despite my best efforts, I have not been able to convince my mother to keep the cats inside. Despite this, I think that it is better for her to adopt cats and keep them outside instead of them being put down at the pound. Don't you?

My mother will never, ever have inside cats. I've tried to convince her for 15 years to do so.

Personally, I think its better for the cats to be adopted, even if they will be outside, rather than them being put to sleep at the shelter. I'm not going to discourage her from adopting a homeless animal.

Thanks for the insights. I will definitely encourage her to adopt 2 cats. One will definitely be an older one.

Answer 1

i would by the cat younger just because it would stay closer to home if it becomes a outside cat because thats the place they know is safer. and because they get to know you better.
older cats would be good they are more lazy though and woulnt want to go outside that much.

you can get to cats that wouldnt be a problem. sometimes its is but usally if they are young they will get to know each other eaiser then as they get older they attend to get a little more vilant.

Answer 2

i have never adopted a kitten from a shelter, but i assume it's not much different than getting a kitten from a breeder. i do know that when they are young like that, two kittens have a really good chance of growing very close to one another, so i think two cats is a great idea. 8 weeks and 4 months should be OK, it is likely that the older one will be dominant...

i have adopted two 3 year old cats in my life from shelters. they have been the sweetest cats in the world. if you mom isn't up for a whole bunch of kitten messes, hold out for the older cat. when you look for older cats, they kind of find you instead of you finding them...

Answer 3

I have adopted both an adult cat and a kitten and I am now firmly in the adult cat camp. It was wonderful not to deal with kitten crazies and bring home a nice stable adult cat that was still young enough to be fun. Also, they take longer to be adopted. Either one (kitten or cat) will adapt to its new home just fine.

A kitten will need to stay in all the time until it older. If she brings home an adult, it will need to be inside until it can make a gradual adjustment to the outdoors. Cats must always be in at night for protection from predators at a bare minimum.

Two cats is fine. In my experience and from what I have seen, two neutered males about the same age do the best together. Put them in a room together at the shelter and make sure they get along before taking them home.

Answer 4

I wouldn't advise her to get a cat. What does she want one for? She doesn't sound like a cat person to begin with. Most people who have cats allow them into the house because they are so affectionate. Maybe a nice pretend cat or a large rock painted to look like a cat. You could go on Ebay or a nice yard sale & buy her a ceramic cat. Or might find a concrete cat at a garden center.
I'm not telling you these things to be mean, but I am looking out for the well being of this cat or kitten.
Kittens need a lot of attention & apparently, your Mother is not prepared for that. Older cats at shelters have been dumped there or abandoned by their owners & need lots of tender loving care so that they can trust people again.
Right now, as I am typing, there is a large white cat sitting in my lap. She thinks she can type, too. And every couple of words, I have to hit the back space because I don't know this word, "nldfrewpocvxco." But she seems to.
So, if your Mom's not prepared to take care of an orphan, I suggest that you try to talk her out of getting a pet. By the way, I really don't think your Mom needs a pet, I think she needs a new hobby to occupy her time.

Answer 5

At those ages the cats need to be the same age. 2 to 4 month old kittens may chew or pounce on young ones hurting them. Also at this age they wont wonder far, but will crawl under things, houses, blocks. The older cats get the further they rome. If she wants the cats to stay home she needs to put them in the house, only. If you work with them cats can also be house broken to potty out side.

Answer 6

I don't think there is much of a difference in age. If you live where it gets cold then no cat is good unless inside and warm. The shelter should be able to tell you if a specific cat is good w/ other cats so if you get 2 make sure they will get along.

Answer 7

What is the point of getting a cat if your just going to keep it out side all the time. Don't you know that dramatically cuts there life expectancy? Especially a kitten... good grief... I would tell you mom not to get a cat unless she is going to take proper care of them. Spaying and neutering are only part of taking care of your cats. Keeping them inside is very important. I'm not saying to never let them out.. but keeping them outside the majority of the time is irresponsible.


popsiclewinter,
Most vets recommend that cat owners keep there cats inside the majority of the time, if not all the time. Cats are practically defenseless when it comes to the outdoors. They are more prone to getting diseases, getting into fights, getting hit by cars, being attacked by dogs or other wild animals such as coyotes or raccoons. Rural areas are no more safe.


My Mom had a few cats. They have died because she let them outside and they contracted the feline version of HIV. She will not adopt another cat... because she now understands the danger of letting our cats out... and she does not want her cats to have to live inside all the time. Maybe your mom should consider this.

Answer 8

Two cats are good. My family and I used to have four cats but two died and now we have two.
Tabbies are friendly and lively.
British blue cats are lively as well and friendly.
tabbies and British blues are great outdoor cats and shouldn't bug eachother after a little while.
DO NOT LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE WHO SAY KEEP THEM INSIDE. Let them in when they want but LET THEM GO OUTSIDE! Getting adult cats is a GREAT idea because lots of people dont adopt them and they get killed.

Answer 9

Two cats are most often better than one, but it helps if you get them at the same time, particularly if they're from the same litter.

Does she have to let them outside? Unless you're in a rural area, it can be very hazardous for outdoor cats, even ones who spend some time inside. They're more prone to some diseases and of course are more likely to get in fights with other cats and then there's traffic, cruel people, etc. to contend with.

For sure if she's going to let them outside they should not be declawed.

How about she gets two adults? They're harder to adopt and so are often less expensive than kittens. It's quite common to find two who need to be adopted together.

EDIT: Thanks for the additional info. In light of that, might it help if you gave her documented evidence of how bad it can be for cats to be outside? Again, probably not as bad in rural areas. Perhaps if she learns more about it from people in the know, it might help to convince her. I'll dig up a link or two for you, if you're interested.

And in light of that, I think it probably would be better if she goes with adults rather than kittens. She may even find ones that are already used to being outside part-time.

Because kittens are so easily adoptable, it might be better if she leaves them for others, in light of her feelings about housing them.

Answer 10

get older kittens because they will do better outside than younger ones.....
if they aren't going to have a lot of human contact than two is good cause they can keep each other company.....
age isn't as important as if they get along...try finding ones that are already together to make it easy-er.....
spaying/ neutering will keep them closer to home......