Ok, so you have decided to get yourself a kitty. You’ve thought out the practical parts of it, you are ready! Now all that is left is picking one. Easy, right? It…can be :) But before you go and fall in love with the first kitty that crosses your path and tests its evil charms on you, think before you decide.
I know, now you have decided you are ready for a cat, it is annoying to hold back one more time. So what else is there to consider? Plenty ;)

Most people automatically assume that getting a kitten is the solution. And why wouldn’t it be? It is cute and fluffy and the kids love it, and you can train it yourself and that way it does not come with extra baggage from its past etc etc. All valid points. But kittens aren’t the perfect package deal they seem to be. And what about bred or stray cats? Male or female? And do you want an indoor cat or an outdoor one? How do you pick a kitty with a compatible personality to yours and your lifestyle? Not as easy as you thought, eh? Here we go:

Part 1: kitten vs adult

Ahh, the joy of kittenhood. True, the average kitten has irresistibly big eyes,the most cute clumsy moves, they utter the cutest little meow and possess your general awwww-trigger. And they are right for some people. Which people? Well, people that have the time and patience to actually teach the kitty what the rules of the house are, for starters.

Kittens need, just like kids (just not as long), consistency. That means, you decide beforehand that kitty is not allowed on the countertop and you stick with it, even if it is ever so cute the way it gets up there (probably using your drapes).
They need attention. That means that if you are at the office all day and no one is home during those hours you have two options: either kitty will be bored and therefore sleep and be hyperactive when you do return and you are too tired to really care about the critter, and this can go on all night btw. Or it will tire itself out by deciding what is fun to do within these four walls it is confined to. Since you are not there, you don’t get a say in what is allowed and what not. Envision cats on countertops, on stoves, inside closets, on top of closets, climbing drapes, climbing Christmas trees, generally jumping from one closet to another, knocking over all kinds of stuff. Not to mention cables being nibbled at, with electrocution as a possible consequence. If you are home, and willing to educate, these things are no problem. If you are not, then you really need to kitty-proof your house.

I would also get two kittens in this case. The notion that cats are solitary creatures is not as black and white as it seems. Kittens are used to having littermates. It teaches them social etiquette amongst other things. And, it keeps them busy while you are busy or are too tired. Yes, they will rampage through your house, but as long as you kitty-proof, you will find it a lot easier than being considered a replacement littermate. Some people enjoy that close bond, and it is true, that if you only have one cat, your bond is a lot stronger. And if you are home a lot, this is definitely an option. But consider kitty’s needs as well. When you are not home, and you work full-time, you are about 9-10 hours(with commuting included) away, where the kitty is plain waiting for you. Then having a playmate while we wait for ‘mommy’ or ‘daddy’ is much more fun.

Now, adult cats do not need this as much. They do not have the need to constantly play, although they can definitely benefit from that and they too can enjoy a second cat in the house. It is harder to introduce an adult cat to a new cat and yes, it is easier usually to get a kitten as a second cat. But I speak out of experience when I say that it is definitely doable to put two full-grown cats together. All you need is time and patience.

So what are the benefits of getting an adult cat? Well, for starters, they are not that exhausting, and they usually do not require you to kitty-proof the house. Since they have lived with humans before, they know the house-rules pretty much. All you need to do is show them what specific rules you have. Yes, they will ignore them occasionally. After all, they are cats. But on the whole, you need to do a whole less babysitting. See, they are not gonna fall off of things that easily, since they have developed their balance already and they are already big enough to jump up stuff. And they know pretty much the limits, if any, their body holds.

And they will still come and cuddle with you, but they will also settle down on your lap or leave you alone after a while, so you can do whatever it is you need to do. They are not that fragile either, and they often have a stronger immune system than kittens, which saves you several trips to the vet. And an older cat, especially one around like 8 or 9 years old, will simply not turn your house upside down.

I once had someone come up to me at the clinic to ask for a sedative for her mother’s cat. Her mother was 80 and had a cat of about 2 years old. When I asked her what the sedative was for, since you cannot get that without doctors permission, she said: ”Well, my mother complains that he bounces off the walls. I was just wondering if there wasn’t something to calm him down. We already neutered him, but he keeps being wild and unmanageable.” When I inquired about the kind of behavior he was displaying, it turned out to be normal cat stuff: racing through the house, jumping on things and having one hour a day where he went absolutely bonkers. I told her the cat was perfectly normal for a two year old, and that it was to be expected from a cat that young. She sighed, not knowing what to do. I advised her to get her mother a fishing pole toy, so she could stay seated while she let the cat run after it, or to let the cat outdoors so he could squander his energy there. Other than that, there wasn’t much else to do.

This is a perfect example of what happens when you choose the wrong age for your lifestyle. The old lady would’ve been much better just getting an elderly cat from the shelter instead of a kitten. Yes, you have to say goodbye to the cat sooner, and potential health problems are an issue. But those years she does spend with you( and since they can live up to about 20 that’s still a lot) she will be present and cuddly without being obnoxious, without being pushy, and bouncing of walls. And at least the cat wouldn’t end up back at the shelter, just because you cannot handle it.

What about the drawbacks of an adult cat? They are more dignified and will clown about less. They aren’t as cute. And if they come from a shelter, or just from another owner, they may have quirks you don’t really appreciate. But cats are smart, and they understand new rules rather quickly if you give them the chance to adapt.

As for traumatic experiences, yes, occasionally, you will see those peeking through. Prinny trusts me completely, and it is the cat I have the strongest bond with. But to this day, she panicks completely when I pick her up. She has improved, though. She realizes that, although she does not like the situation, I am not about to hurt her. Before she starts panicking she looks at me, and at how I am holding her. Now if I hold her gently but firmly, she will allow it for a short period. But only for a short period. I don’t know what happened to her, but I respect and acknowledge her fear.

Believe it or not though, those traumatic experiences usually also give adult cats a benefit which kittens will never ever have. Ask anyone who has adopted a cat from the shelter, especially if they are indoor cats. Those cats are the most grateful creatures alive. The difference is astonishing. I see that with Arwen. She was too small to realize the predicament she was in when she came to me. The only reason I have that strong a bond with her is because I am mommy to her. The reason Prinny has the bond she has with me, is because she knows. She knows what situation she came from. If you have read her story (Homecoming Princess), you know what I mean. I have earned her trust because I took her in, and that’s why she is always the first to greet me at the door and is incredibly focused on me and my whereabouts.

So, think about what you want from a cat, and most importantly, what you can offer the cat. All these cats deserve a good home. But make sure that you are the right home for them. That way, you will both enjoy the experience, without having to regret ever getting a cat later on.

Next time in “which kitty is right for you”: Breeds vs strays