Kittens are cute and fun! However, most people forget that they grow up, and they do so very quickly! Within about 6 months your kitten will be approaching adult size. Some things to consider before adopting a kitten:
- Energy! - if you work long hours or do not have much free time in a day, an adult cat may be better suited for you. If you really want a kitten, consider 2 as they can wear each other out.
- Allergies - if you suspect that anyone in your home has allergies to cats, sometimes adopting a kitten can help you become immune to "your" cat. Be ready to try different remedies, or consider fostering if you are really unsure about allergies.
- Lifetime Commitment - you can expect an indoor cat to live about 18-20 years. This is a long time. Consider where your life will take you and if you will have that time to commit to your cat. If you want to start travelling in 10 years, consider adopting a 10 year old cat.
- Expense - kittens require more vaccinations and their immune systems are not as well developed as older cats, so they are more susceptible to kitty colds
- Kids - if you have young children, an adult cat may be a better match. Many families with young children do not have time to manage a kitten, and young kids may hurt a kitten.
- Other pets - sometimes kittens or juvies (teenaged cats) can be easier to introduce to other cats, but care must be taken so the kitten is not harmed.
- Fun - if you have time every day to play and want to watch a kitten change and grow, then a kitten may be for you!
Adult cats - are usually calmer, and you already know their personalities. From rescue groups they will already be fixed, vaccinated, and ready to go. Adults are usually more accepting of you being at work all day and can more readily amuse themselves without getting into too much trouble! Older cats are still very adaptable and very grateful to be rescued! As most of our rescues are kept in multi-cat households, introducing them to your resident cat (or even dog) is usually not a problem - and we can help you pick the cat that would best suit you!
When considering adopting a cat, please consider your circumstances before automatically choosing a kitten! While kittens are very cute and fun, they do not stay kittens forever. Adopting is a serious commitment and it is important that you find the right cat for your family!
