Undecided about being a pet parent?

Getting a cat is really exciting, but a lot of people tend to ignore all the stresses and hiccups that come along with it. Sure, getting a cute, innocent kitten seems like the easiest thing in the world, but really there are lots to consider when thinking about buying or adopting a cat. Here at Kitty Café, we have put together somewhat of a guide to aid you in getting your own moggy friend.

Kittens tend to be the most popular choice for a new cat owner because of one simple reason, they’re adorable… But don’t rule out the idea of adopting an older cat, most cats live into their 20’s so an older cat still has a huge amount of love to give you.

There are advantages and disadvantages to getting either a kitten or an older cat, so read on to help you decide which is the best choice for you.

Let's get it out of the way nice and early by saying kittens are darn cute. Choosing a kitten over an older cat gives you the satisfaction of knowing that your pet cat has been treated well all of its life, since it’s lived with you since being a baby. Plus you can form a bond from just a few weeks old which can last for over 20 years.

Kittens however, need a lot of attention in their first few weeks of life. They need feeding more often than older cats, need more love and affection, discipline, training, the list goes on; basically kittens need everything a lot more until it grows into a handsome adult cat. Just think of it like having a newborn in the house..

A lot of people will admit it's easiest to choose a cat by picking the cutest kitten, and it would be unreasonable to say this cannot be a factor in your decision. However for many people, it's best to think about getting an older cat instead. For example.. If you lack the time for a kitten, or there’s nobody in the house to take care of it during the day, then it is better to consider adopting an adult cat. There are endless amounts of adult cats that are unfortunately stuck in animal/cat shelters, through no fault of their own, with such low prospects of ever being rehomed. If you adopt an adult cat, you can proudly say that you have done a good deed, by giving an animal with lots of love to give, a new home.

Another advantage of choosing an adult cat is that you see what you are getting. An 8 week old kitten still has a lot of growing to do and its temperament may change as it grows older and matures. Adult cats require a lot less attention than kittens and most will be perfectly happy to be left in a nice warm room while you are away at work for the day!

You may also think that an adult cat may not be capable of forming a bond with a new owner but this isn’t true. An adult cat is likely to form a loving bond with new owners and even a cat in its teenage years still has plenty of life and love to give. In addition to this, adult cats are calmer and will settle faster than a kitten. Kittens are more likely to cause themselves injuries in the first years of their life which can be distressing for both owner and pet.

Whether you want a kitten or a cat, it’s crucial to research more deeply into both ages, and also the breed of cat you’re looking for as all breeds have different temperaments and needs, aka daily brushing, prone to health conditions etc. We hope whether you opt for a kitten or an older cat, you will cherish the little animal with lots of affection. Both cats and kittens have so much love to give!