Kitten or Cat-Which is better to adopt?

[belledreamer]

Since there seems to be alot of good advice on the Community boards, I thought I'd pose a question...

Here's my story:

Last Friday, my cat of 20 years, "Kitty Nuna" died peacefully in her sleep due to old age. Needless to say, it had a deep effect on me since we grew up together and were constant companions. Well, feeling the next for a feline companion, I've decided to adopt a cat from a nearby shelter.

I was leaning toward getting a kitten since I didn't get to really enjoy my first cat's kitten years, (I was only 3 when we got her at 10 weeks) but I haven't seen too many, and I'm seeing alot of cats that are over a year old that need good homes. (And falling in love with a few I've seen already... )

So for all you cat owners, which is better to adopt, a kitten or a slightly older cat? What are the pros and cons? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Philagoofy]

Not much advice here except to say, sorry for your loss and whichever kitty wins your heart, kitten or older, is the one to adopt.

I just noticed your user name, our second little kitty is named Belle. Our first found his way into our home by sneaking into the garage.
He was probably close to two years old. Our little one was probably a few months old when she was taken in off the streets by her
foster family and we adopted her when she was about a year. She's more loving then Stewie is but we love Stewie just as much. Doesn't like
to get to close or be hugged like Belle.

Good luck with whoever you choose. Hope you have many long, happy years with them.

 

[simba928]

(i typed this on my phone so i apologize ahead of time for any spelling or grammatical errors)
first, i think it is a personal decision and completely up to you. It is your cat, you are the one that has to live with kitty for the rest of his life. You know your lifestyle and nobody other than you can make a decision like this that will result in a perfect situation for both you and kitty.
With that said, i work in a shelter and can tell you generally, the kittens fly out the door while any kitty over 6 months has to wait much longer. We've had cats wait for 6 or 7 months. I understand what you mean, not experiencing having a kitten. I got my first cat as a kitten when i was 4. She was fabulous, my best friend growing up. She died at age 14. I just fell in love with a mama cat and her 5 kittens at work 6 months later. After all her babies got adopted and she was the only one left, 4 months after they came in, i brought her home. She has been a wonderful cat, couldn't have asked for better.
From experience, my best advice for you if you decide on an older kitty is to go to a shelter and talk to the people that actuallly take care of the animals,. We always have a favorite or 2 that we can reccommend. Most of the time our favorites are the wonderful animals that just go overlooked forever because they're average looking or don't reach out of the cage like another kitty might, or some other reason that kitty just hasn't caught anybody's eye. Those are the ones that we know the best and often times make the best pets.

 

[Imzadi]

Sorry for your loss.

A year old cat really isn't that old. My kitty wanted to play all the time till she became about 6 and a half. She's 8 now and she's still pretty spunky now and then.

A slightly older cat is easier to take care of in some ways as it doesn't need the constant attention a kitten does (getting into things. Kittens need to play a lot.) Cats are also easier to train as they have developed more reasoning/listening abilities (if that's what it's called.) They learn easier when you say no, what it means.

On the other hand, those kitten months are like no other time you will get with a kitty.

Good luck which ever you decide!

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

I say Cat. Kittens always get adopted but cats don't

Fwiw, I've adopted both, anything from 6 weeks to 8 years, and there really isn't much of a difference.

From one cat lover to another, I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[DisneyWhirled]

I'm sorry for your loss. I lost my 16yo Tigger about 6 weeks ago. I had the hardest time with it, and my children, who've had Tiggy thier whole lives were grieving as well.

The kids really wanted a kitten, since they had never had one. So, about a week after Tiggs passed, we found ourselves at a local shelter and guess what--they each found a kitten they loved. So, here we are, six weeks later with two fiesty kittens.

We all miss Tiggs still, but the kittens have helped to fill the void.

I know that doesn't help with the kitten/cat decision, but I thought I share how it does get a little better.

Good luck with your decision, they are all wonderful animals and all need loving homes!! Post a pic of your new furbaby, if you can!!

 

[dauser]

I'm also sorry for your loss.

I adopted a cat who was 5 years old and it has worked out well. The local cat rescue group worked with our local pet store to find homes for cats, and always had 3-4 cats available for adoption. The cat I eventually adopted (CC) was there for 4 months, while all of the other much younger cats would find a home within a month or two.

She has made my life better, and I feel that I have made her life better as well!

 

[dakcp2001]

I prefer to adopt older kitties.My last 2 adoptions have been adults, and they both adjustred very well. They are calmer and don't swing from the curtains. Kittens are adorable, but keep you up at night. I love em, but dont want any more crazy kittens raising heck all night.


Sorry for your loss

 

[scrapquitler]

Kitten. IF someone is at home and there to supervise during the day.
Just my personal opinion based on my experiences (five cats adopted from the local shelter, one from the neighborhood farm, four of them as kittens).

 

[Maridw]

We have 6 cats. Of those 6 only 1 was picked from a family, the others were all strays of different ages. We have had kittens and our latest is at least 2 years old.

I agree that kittens in the shelter get adopted faster than older cats. Most older cats will never get to see a good home. I think it would be better to adopt an older cat. If you are looking to adopt through a shelter, go and look at all the cats and there will be at least one that will grab your attention.

3 of our rescues were ones that we found. One was near the dance school I attend, one at my work and one on our doorstep. Our youngest, we got from the shelter and our last one was supposed to just be a foster. Needless to say my DH got attached and we are keeping him. Now we have 4 girls and 2 boys plus our dog, who we also rescued.

Finally, sorry for your loss. We had to put our dog of 15 years asleep two years ago and it was very difficult for us.

 

[kacaju]

I have had plenty of cats/kittens over my lifetime. I will only be adopting cats from now on. Yes kittens are cute, very cute.
Kittens also have sharp teeth that they love to use on you.
They pounce on you in the middle of the night.
They attack you as you walk by.
They have non stop energy.
They climb everything.
they are annoying as heck at times, but yes, they are cute. Which is why they survive to adulthood.

A young adult cat (6 months and up) are every bit as fun, but you miss out on most of what is annoying about kittens.
I am feeling the same with puppies too, highly overrated!! I have had 2 pups here a 4 and 5 month old and I have no desire to ever go back to the 8 week old puppy crap either. (but they are so cute!!) LOL!!

 

[hereyago]

Sorry for your loss. I don't have a real answer, I just believe the right one finds you whether it be kitten or cat.

I just adopted a 5 month old kitten last month. He is mostly black and actually some people are still superstisous. He has also tested positive for FIV, but have to have him tested again next month in case of false positive. I knew this going into adopting him.

His mother was a feral who had to be put down, he has only part of a tail. And whatever happens, he is going to be loved and cared for. His big "brother" a year old German Shepard loves him and he loves his doggy brother.

 

[beccamarie]

I understand your loss, as my favorite cat Garfield was attacked by a roaming dog and killed in front of my kids. I let my kids go to the shelter and find the cat that they loved when we readopted. She happened to be a kitten, but I would have easily let them adopt an older cat. I say just go look and find the cat your heart leads you to.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

We only adopt cats. Kittens will always find a home cats don't.

 

[charming23]

So sorry for the loss of your furry baby. I too grew up with the last cat we had and it was so hard to lose her.

When we adopted again Cleo was just over a year and Caly was 8 months. I did not want kittens as they are so small and mostly I just fell in love with the two we have.

Good Luck in finding your new baby, and thanks for adopting.

 

[JESW]

I am so sorry for your loss.

Let the cat choose you! And while you're at it, why not bring two home so they can keep each other company? We have 3 right now - just lost one who was not even 2 years old recently and we were very saddened by that.. We are planning on adopting two more after we get back from Disney, maybe in early May. We are a family of cat lovers and I can't imagine our lives without them.

Jill

 

[PaulaSB12]

After my last two cats died (17 and 18 great life since they had nearly been starved to death as kittens) I went to the local cat protection centre to look at 2 kittens. While there a 9 month old tabby queen climbed on my lap and that was it. 3 cats came home not 2. Queenie is a very cuddly cat, but is in temper a grumpy old moo of a cat if anything goes wrong its thump her son or the dog time. Even her meow is more of a grumpy grizzly noise than the usual but she is my girl and she uses this fact as much as possible. You will know when you have found the right cat, adult or kitten. If you are remembering the other 2 cats they are Socks a big black and white tom cat who is the biggest wuss of a puss ever he worries about EVERYTHING the cat light toy that the others play with is the DEATH ray to him. The other kitten is a black queen who has the biggest ego I have ever seen in a cat she also has an underwear fettish as we found one day when all my knickers where found in a nice trail down the stairs (blasted easy glide ikea drawers)

 

[debg]

Another vote for adult cat. The two best cats I've ever had I got as adults, one four years old, one six years old. I'll never get another kitten, for the reason you keep hearing here - adults rarely get adopted. Both of my boys seemed so grateful to have a real home, if you can believe it. Sounds a bit silly, I know.

debg

 

[damren]

Sorry for your loss
I work at my local shelter and my suggestion would be if you want a kitten get 2, they love to play. Kitten season will begin soon so there should be many.
I think you should get what you want, all shelter animals need homes

 

[puffkin]

I would vote older kitten. Once they hit about 6 months old they are much harder to adopt. I went through a cat rescue org with both my cats and it was wonderful. The foster moms were able to tell me their personalities and help us pick the right cat. They were also old enough that all their shots were done and they were spayed, which was a HUGE money saver for us. They were still young and playful, but past the really annoying kitten stage. Lilly was 6 months and Riley was 9 months. I would adopt that age again in a heartbeat.