Kittens are sweet and adorable, but they’ve got boundless energy in their tiny frames. They won’t leave you alone when it’s time for bed, have to be trained, and devour things left on countertops. Older cats have already lived in homes with other humans. They know how to use their litterboxes and are considerably calmer than kittens. They can keep you company, or quietly enjoy being on their own if you’re away from home.
Budget
It sounds awful to put it this way, but adopting an adult cat is significantly cheaper than adopting a kitten! Many senior cats have already been spayed/neutered, dewormed, immunized and declawed (note: I advise against any declawing of future pets, but that’s for another time.) Plus, many shelters offer free adoptions for old cats! Use the ASPCA website to search for adoptable cats in your area.
You know what you’re getting
When you’re adopting a kitten, you really don’t know what they will be like as an adult cat. They might turn out to be a lovely, fluffy pile of sweetness, or they might attack you in your sleep. Shelters will know everything about an adult cat such as her behavior, whether she gets along with other cats, pets and children, their health problems, and most importantly how she reacts to changes in the environment.
Mature cats are great for households with children
No matter how much you tell your child about proper behavior and handling of pets, they won’t be able to be gentle with a cat because they haven’t grown into their fine motor skills yet. Older cats can handle a little more “rough handling” than kittens, who might react with scratching or biting – and those little claws and teeth hurt! A mature cat is more likely to put up with being yanked by her tail than a kitten and still love your child.
Older cats are perfect companions for senior citizens
Older cats are a perfect addition to a venerable person’s home because they’re calmer, more relaxed and far less destructive than kittens. Kittens want to play all the time, and that can be taxing for someone who has limited mobility.
Mature cats get along with other pets
If you’re looking to add a cat to a house that already has mature cats, an older cat will have an easier time integrating into the established dynamic. Adding a kitten into the mix will stress your older cats out, because if you’re not playing with the kitten, the kitten is playing with your cats. Mature cats enjoy their routines and independence and upending the balance in the home with an energetic kitten will be extremely stressful.
A mature cat will love you endlessly
Studies have shown that after being adopted adult cats show gratitude and love in unbridled ways. They are indefinitely grateful that you have given them a warm home, whereas kittens can take your home and care for granted.
Older cats have immense love and willingness to give back, are more responsible than their younger counterparts, and fit in with other animals and people extremely well. Adopting a senior cat will enrich your life with the company of a devoted pet who will never forget your kindness. There isn’t really a reason why you shouldn’t consider adopting a mature cat!
Compiled sources included:
https://www.thesprucepets.com/reasons-to-adopt-an-older-cat-4160026
Cats Protection in the U.K.
Please note this was an informational research project to educate a friend & a new parent for proper senior cat care & adoption. I did not write most of this material, only gathered & now sharing it to help other cat parents.
To see the last Series “Rehoming A Cat”, start here.
To read the beginning of this series, “Welcome Home Your New Cat”, click here.
To read the next Article in this series, go here.
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