A reader was trying to decide between adopting a kitten or a cat. Here’s how I see it. And Happy Adopt a Cat Month!

Q: Should I get a cat or a kitten?

A: That’s a great question to ask during Adopt-a-Cat Month (American Humane) and Adopt-a-Shelter Cat Month (ASPCA).

Adult cats are often overlooked at the shelter, especially during “kitten season,” which is now. Kittens have “cute” and “fun” and “fuzzy” going for them, but we’d like to share some reasons to consider a cat.

With an adult cat, you know exactly what you’re getting: size, activity level, sociability and health. In a loving environment, they’ll bond just as tightly with you as a kitten will.

Adult cats know the drill. They have litter box habits down, they may be trained to use a scratching post, and they’re not as wild and crazy as kittens, being less likely to tear through the house and knock things over.

Some adult cats may come from a background that makes them suited to your household. They may have come from a family with kids or dogs, for instance. If possible, ask the shelter what information was provided by the original owners.

Kittens have a ton of energy. That makes them entertaining, but it also makes them something of a trial to live with until they become mature and mellow. They need extra time and extra training, and you’ll need extra patience to make it through their antics (Exhibit A: the roll of toilet paper that my recent foster kittens unwound during the night).

To get to know an adult cat at the shelter, ask if there’s a visiting room where you can spend some time together. After a few minutes, a calm, confident, outgoing cat should respond readily to your attention, becoming relaxed and welcoming petting.

Kittens are adorable, but we see lots of sweet, pretty and well-mannered adult cats at shelters. You just can’t go wrong with one of them.

There’s more in Pet Connection, the weekly nationally syndicated pet feature I co-write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.

Dogs thrive on exercise, although there are individual variations on how much they need and benefit from. Here’s what I told a reader.

Q: What kind of exercise do dogs need?

A: While many dogs these days are companions who live in our homes with us, they are still wired to be hunters and scavengers, and their bodies are made to move. You can see it in their everyday actions: the way their eyes focus on a scampering squirrel; the way their ears perk up at the sound of a treat bag opening; their instant chase response to a thrown tennis ball.

That instinct to move, sniff and seek can be met by many different types of exercise, depending on the breed. Greyhounds, pointers, Dalmatians and Jack Russell terriers like to run; retrievers live to play fetch; Australian shepherds, Siberian huskies, Weimaraners and Rhodesian ridgebacks make great hiking buddies; Portuguese water dogs, Irish water spaniels, Boykin spaniels and standard poodles love to swim; flat-faced dogs enjoy walks.

And it’s good for them! Exercise, movement and play help dogs stay healthy and happy, shed pounds, fulfill their instincts and burn off excess energy that, left unsated, can lead to behavior problems. No matter how cushy their spot on the sofa, dogs need activity.

You can give it to them in lots of ways. The best exercise for any dog is something that engages both brain and body. That can be playing fetch, going hiking or running, taking up kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding, or competing in one of the many dog sports. These sports test canine skills in sniffing, agility, jumping into water (dock diving), tricks, herding, freestyle (dancing with your dog), and other options for teamwork and fun.

You can dedicate your life to training and competing with your dog, or you can stay with something simple such as walking or hiking. So grab a leash and go play with your dog!

There’s more in Pet Connection, the weekly nationally syndicated pet feature I co-write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.