Cat versus kitten—who should I adopt?

If you're looking for a feline companion your first thought might be that cuddly kitten that you spotted at your local rescue centre, but you might want to consider an adult cat too!

05 Apr 2016 By Zahra Gaitskell Comments

Adopting an adult cat is a wonderful experience. If you have an idea of what type of cat and personality you're looking for you may have a better chance at finding it with an adult. Adults and even teenagers come with a more fully formed personality, allowing you to find your perfect companion. For example, if you're looking for a cuddly lap cat or prefer an independent or aloof cat it will be easier to look for these traits in a mature cat.

Sure kittens are adorable, but what about those cats who have been overlooked time and time again, don't they deserve a home too? Adopting an adult cat gives you the chance to do something really special for a cat that needs a second chance to be loved. If you're not keen on an older adult, teenagers still have some of the playful, frenetic kitten energy, without some of the more troublesome parts of kittenhood, like toilet training, de-sexing and those razor sharp kitty teeth!

If you have your heart set on a kitten, you have a lot to look forward to! Kittens are fun balls of fluff, cuddly and playful, every moment is 'aww'-inspiring when they're young. You and your kitten have a chance to discover the world together, to learn and go on adventures through the house and form a friendship that will last a lifetime. There will be lots of cuddles, impromptu naps, favourite toys and midnight play times. As your kitten gets bigger you can see them grow into themselves and their personality and know that you helped shaped their young lives. Your kitten doesn't come with the potential baggage of an older cat; it's a clean slate, which gives you a chance to form a close and powerful bond from the very beginning.

However there are some unique challenges that go with raising a kitten too! Toilet training can be simple or it can be difficult, sometimes your little bundle of joy won't make it to the litter box, and guess who gets to clean that up? There might be some destroyed furniture, ruined in playful exploration, or even vomit if you haven't found the right kind of food for their delicate stomach. Not to mention the vaccinations, micro-chipping and de-sexing you'll need to do with a kitten which an adult should already have completed at adoption. It's not fun, but it's part of being a fur-parent to your minuscule feline!

Chose your cat with care and you'll have a lovable companion, whether they're a kitten or an adult!

05 Apr 2016 By Zahra Gaitskell Comments

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