by Laurie Childree

Created on: January 25, 2008   Last Updated: September 11, 2009

Are you thinking of adopting a pet? You want a pet and you're thinking of getting a cat. Should you get a cute and cuddly kitten or a grown cat that's already set in their ways as a companion? The question of whether or not to adopt a kitten or a cat has never been a problem for me. My animals have either always chosen me or circumstances beyond either of our control has thrown us together to begin the adjustment process. Whether they are still babies that get into everything or grown cats that someone has decided to discard for no other reason than they are tired of them we adjust to each other.

When you go to adopt any animal you must first ask yourself if you are ready to be a parent. Kittens will act much like a new born baby and as they grow they will go through their own version of the terrible twos. They will scratch the furniture and at times they may even jump on things and knock your possessions down onto the floor.

Are you ready for that? Older cats tend to be calmer but they have more of a history. Are you ready for the possibility that they may have been starved or otherwise abused? The possibility is very real that you may have to adjust to your choice because they may appear fearful of you for reasons only they know.

I have a grown cat that adopted me after being abused. When he showed up on my door step he was so skittish that no one could get close enough to check his wounds. The back half of his fur was gone and the skin was so raw he was still bleeding. I began to leave a little food out for him and gradually he began to come up to the porch and eat.

That was a good start but he still ran away every time he heard the door open. By the time he would stay put several weeks later his skin had begun to heal. Now a year later he will come to me to be petted. He refuses to be held and he will only let you pay attention to him when he wants you to. He can not use a litter box. While he does not poop in the house he will occasionally have urinary accidents in the floor on the nights that he asks to be let in because it is too cold for him.

Now are you ready to patiently clean up the floor in case of accidents for those animals that have problems controlling their bladders or for some reason can not find the litter box? Are you ready to build up trust with an animal that has a history of being mistreated? Do you have the patience to teach a kitten?

Kittens are the easiest to place. Everyone thinks they are just the cutest. Older animals have a hard time finding homes because they don't make your heart skip a beat when you look at them. They grew up and they settled down. If you aren't that energetic then an older cat is the perfect choice for you.

When you have small children you may want to consider an older cat. Not because the kittens pose a danger to the kids but because the kids can pose a danger to the kitten at times. All of the older cats I have had would hide from the kids when they got to loud or too active. Some kittens will bite, they don't mean any harm but they do not know any better. If you got the kitten for a child and the first time it bites the child you will likely hear a chorus of "I don't' want it anymore, it doesn't like me."

When deciding whether to adopt a kitten or cat take into consideration which one you can take the best care of. They will give lots of love either way. Remember someone else is most likely going to adopt that little kitten if you leave it behind but the cat you are looking at may not be so lucky.

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