You have decided it’s the right time that you get a fuzzy, warm love ball – in short, a cat. However, there are many unwanted kitties up for adoption and it can be very overwhelming the select the right one for you. When choosing a cat for your household, you may consider temperament, shedding, size, breed, as well as other criteria but the very first issue you should solve, is how old you would like your feline companion to be.
Table of Contents
What is the best cat age you should adopt?
This can be highly determined by looking at the drawbacks and benefits of adopting a young kitten or an older cat. All felines have something special to offer no matter what their age is, however, there are also factors to consider that can aid you in choosing the best cat that suits your lifestyle and personality.
Kittens
Young cats are so exciting but they come with lots of work too. What is the most recommended age to bring a kitten home? The best age is twelve weeks old healthy kitten.
Pros
- A fresh start – kittens let you start on a clean page where you can fill in the story. Cats haven’t had the chance to develop behavior problems and neurosis so it is up to you how to mold them.
- Comedic relief – there’s nothing funnier than a confused kitten jumping in the air to catch flies or a kitten falling off a chair and looking shocked.
- Training – you can be able to start training your kitten right away. Kittens respond well to a toy, attention, or treats. They can also be corrected gently for their unwanted behavior such as biting or scratching.
- Other pets – existing dogs or cats in the house are more likely to quickly accept kittens than older cats.
Cons
- Health – Young cats can have special health problems including feline leukemia, ringworm, ear mites, and worms. At times, they have sensitive tummies that can mean you need to find the right food for them.
- Housetraining – Since you have to start fresh with kittens, you have to be patient in training them on how to use their litter boxes.
- Safety – most of the time, kittens get into everything so your home should be free of clutter and you have to check for screens, holes in walls, etc.
- Meowing – some young cats are extremely vocal and it often takes some training to solve this.
Middle-Aged Cats
Pros
- Personality – adopting colder cats mean you can get a look at his personality before you bring him home. The shelter probably knows well if he is good with other dogs, cats, children, etc.
- Activity – older cats are more placid and calmer.
- Health – a cat is known to be the healthiest in their middle age. Your cat must have been evaluated by a vet and treated for immediate health conditions.
Cons
- Training – it can be more difficult to train older cats. Using tools like a water squirt bottle could help a lot to deter unwanted behavior.
- Background – shelters usually do not know the exact background of middle-aged cats that means he could have some behavior or personality issues.
[crp]
Common questions about what is the best age to adopt a cat
What is the ideal age to adopt a kitten?
Not until kittens reached 12 weeks old, they shouldn’t be separated from their mother. At around twelve weeks of age, kittens can go to their new homes and stay with their human parents. While some kittens are adopted at an earlier age, the closer you wait until the kitten reaches twelve or thirteen weeks will make things much easier for you and your new feline companion.
Is it better to adopt a kitten or a cat?
While adopting kittens might seem like the first answer to enter your mind, further thought must be given to adopting middle-aged or adult cats. Actually, kittens need more time for training and socialization and in general, more vet care is needed during his first year of life. Thus, if you’re a busy, working person, and adult cat might be the right option for you.
Do cats get sad when rehomed?
It can take cats a long time to fully adapt to a new home and environment. Until your newly adopted feline companion adjusts to his new home, he will be possibly depressed and stressed out. If this is the case, he shouldn’t be punished for feeling that way. The best thing you can do as his new human parent is to show him more love and affection until he gets used to the environment.
Conclusion
Choosing a cat to add to your family is a very personal matter. Bear in mind that considering whether a young kitten or older cat fits your lifestyle is very important and knowing the possible underlying issues of every life stage can make your cat selection journey a much easier task.
