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.
