Kitten Or Cat

[morrisonp]

Hi

I am currently in contact with a local resuce organisation to adopt a rescue cat.

I am wanting advice. My first choice was going to be a kitten for the usual reasons they are cute etc. Only my thought were that it would be more hard work for myself and I also work full-time, so it would spend most of the time on its own. So I deciede to adopt a cat from a rescue centre.

Although my heart is still set on a kitten, could anybody out there advise me about wether I'm doing the right thing in getting a cat rather than a kitten

[LMC]

Thing with kittens is that they don't stay that way!

They are also a lot of hard work, cute though they are, and can be destructive.

Plus, if you're out all day, there is a risk that the kitten will "lose" it's early socialisation and revert to being a cat who walks by him(her)self - they need lots and lots of attention until they are a year/18 months old if you want a sociable cat. Fine if you can spend a lot of time with him/her during evenings and weekends, but if you have a busy social life as well as a full-time job then you may find you don't have time for a kitten. Older cats are more self-sufficient.

Some rescue centres are a bit funny about you leaving a cat at home while you're at work all day (for goodness sake... !!) - why not offer to adopt 2 young-ish adults, then they can keep each other company, you'll get hours of pleasure watching them interact with each other and double the love.

All mine were rescued as adults, and no regrets

[Hreow]

Spot on LMC!
You'd miss most of the kitten-being-kitten if you're at work all day, better get a good (pair of) cat(s) that fits into the life you have. They will be cuddly and loving when you come home and you can spend quality quiet-time with them. (Quiet as in lap-time and game-time, rather than fixing, scolding, laughing, tidying.)

[Snoof]

I think that, whichever you choose, getting two would be best so they have each other for company. It'll also help the rescue out as they frequently get pairs in that would be best off going to their new home together (which is harder to achieve).

[Donna]

I would get two young adult cats. They will be company for each other and you will miss all that kitten stage when you at work anyway - an older cat will be less likley to cause havoc in an empty house!!

I had my two from kittens, and much prefer them now they have their own personalities etc.

[Fran]

I agree with all the above..spot on advice

[dinahsmum]

It is all good advice. Although I am enjoying my kittens they are causing upheaval in the house and I dread to think what the place would be llike if they had it to themselves all day! And I wouldn't want to confine them to one room.
There are always lots of young cats needing a new home (sadly). You could have all the joy of a long, long, life with (a) cat(s) whose purrsonality you would see when you chose them (they chose you?) without the exasperation of kittenhood to add to a full time job.
Good luck. I'm sure you will know when you see your soulmate(s)

[EmmaG]

I would go for two young cats as well, I have two (although different ages) and they get on really well and keep each other company. I also work full time.

[Luke]

Definatley a slightly older cat-i myself have vowed the next feline will be a young rescue, couldnt be doing with a naughty kitten climbing up the curtains, turning over the litter tray, escaping, getting into holes etc all over again-NOOOO!

[Kazz]

I have to say unless you have a reason for a kitten ie "other animals" who the kitten would need to get on with and you thought it might cause trouble adding anything but a kitten I would go with an adult.

Explain your circumstances and lifestyle and I am sure the rescue will be able to "match" you with at least 3-4 cats to choose from go with their advice - they "know" their cats personalities. So go with adults over kittens and two in preference to one,