Kitten or adult cat?

Should I choose a kitten or an adult cat?

Kittens are adorable, but still need to be raised. Wouldn't an adult cat be wiser? Both options have their pros and cons. It is worth finding out what suits you best: a kitten or an adult cat.

There is no right or wrong answer to whether you should get a kitten or an adult cat. What matters is that you honestly assess what will make you happy and that you choose a good breeder or shelter that gives you the right information about your future companion.

Adopting an adult cat

Although most people tend to choose a kitten, choosing an adult cat certainly has a number of advantages. The shelters in our country are full of lovely cats eagerly waiting for their own home and family.

Advantages of an adult cat:

• Giving a shelter cat a home is a responsible choice that gives both the cat and yourself a good feeling.
• You have a very wide choice: all colours, characters and ages are available.
• A good shelter knows its cats and can help you choose an animal whose character and needs match yours.
• Adult cats are generally house-trained.
• Adult cats are usually much calmer than kittens.
• Shelter cats have been treated for parasites, vaccinated, examined by the vet and usually neutered/spayed before you take them home.
• With an adult cat, the character is already clear and you can make a conscious choice for a certain personality trait.

Challenges when adopting an adult cat:

• Some shelter cats have a trauma or difficult past, which may mean they need a bit more time and attention to settle in.
• An adult cat may have learned habits that you do not like. These are often quite difficult to unlearn.
• The socialisation period took place elsewhere, but this does not mean an adult cat cannot learn anything new.

Where can you adopt a cat?

There are many ways to adopt an adult cat. The most obvious is the shelter. You can visit, meet cats and ask the staff about the cat's character. You can also take over a cat from family, friends or neighbours who can no longer care for the animal.

Should I go for a kitten?

For many people, having the perfect cat means it is of a certain breed. With a pedigree cat it is easier to estimate what the character traits will be. It is important to check whether the breed of your choice suits your lifestyle.

Most breeders prefer to keep their kittens with the mother until they are at least twelve weeks old. At this age the kittens are ready to leave the mother and can be properly vaccinated before going to their new owner.

Of course you can also find kittens in shelters. With these kittens you do not know how old they were when they were separated from their mother.

Advantages of a kitten:

• Kittens are playful and lively, which guarantees laughter and entertainment.
• You can choose your own breed.
• You receive a complete medical background from the breeder.

Challenges of a kitten:

• Kittens require more attention than an adult cat.
• Kittens still need to be raised.

Where do I find a kitten?

There are many ways to get a kitten. You can go to a good breeder, a shelter or online, or perhaps family or friends have just had a litter. The most important thing is to check that the kittens and mother are in good health.

• Once you have chosen a breed and breeder, visit to see what kind of environment the kittens and mother live in.
• Kittens living in the living room, with many people around them, experience a fairly normal household. This will help them settle in at your home more quickly.
• Ask about the character of the parent cats and what measures the breeder has taken to socialise the kittens as well as possible. Are the kittens healthy, vaccinated, dewormed, and what food have they been given?

Whether you choose a kitten or an adult cat, both options require some research. Do not rush and remember that the cat depends on your care, time and attention to grow into a happy and healthy cat.