Thread: Kitten vs. Rehomed Adult

Warning - this is quite a long post!

One of the things I'm thinking about re my potential future MC is whether I'll be better to get a kitten from a breeder or to rehome an adult MC. Obviously both would have their advantages and disadvantages, but I'm wondering if there is anything blindingly obvious for you experienced cat owners that isn't so obvious to a newbie like me that I really need to consider.

I've listed some intial thoughts/concerns/questions below, that I'd appreciate your input on, but if there is anything else you can think of, please shout up.

Kitten related:
* Would have more chance of getting one of my favourite colours (I'm definitely leaning towards a red or cream tabby at the moment!).
* Kittens seem to be more expensive to purchase than adult cats (and a lot of rehomed cats are free to adopt). Not that the cost of a kitten is a problem for me, else I wouldn't be considering it.
* Would allow me to have the cat for as much of it's lifetime as possible.
* Depending how high up a breeders waiting list I was, may have the choice of more than one kitten from a litter, so I could let the kitten choose me.
* Would need more attention etc. while it was young. Question: would the fact that I am normally at work between 8am and 6pm weekdays be a problem? I would take some time off for the first few days I had a kitten, and would be back at work after that (although I may be able to wangle working from home for at least part of each day for another week or so, but only maybe).
* Would get to see the cat through it's playful kitten stage (although this could be either a good thing or a bad thing!).
* Would need to get the kitten neutered, which again isn't a problem cost wise, more knowing what to do for the kitten before and after the op (which I know is different to with my rats, although you really don't want to know how many rat operations I've been through over the years!).


Cat related:
* Although there seem to be quite a few cats up for adoption, they may not be local, and I wouldn't have the choice I'd get with having a kitten, necessarily.
* Would probably be happier left in the house whilst I'm at work.
* I'm planning on my cat being an indoor cat, possibly with an outside run, and that may narrow my choice down further to rehomers that are also indoor cats
* Will have an established personality by the point it came to live with me.
* Always a risk in rehoming any animal that the owners may not be honest on why it is being rehomed - i.e. it may have behavioural problems that they may not let on about, which I definitely wouldn't be equipped to handle. May be less of an issue going through a rescue though (if it's a good rescue).
* If the cat is really bonded with it's owners (which I guess is quite likely for the 'genuine' rehomers, it may not bond so well to me.
* Would most likely already be neutered, but might not be that easy to tell whether that really was the case (with female cats at least). I guess I'm a little wary on that after having had a friend who rescued a cat (from a rescue centre) and was told she was definitely spayed only to find out she wasn't when she had a litter of kittens later on!

I guess part of me would really like to have a kitten, but I guess I'm just thinking about whether it's the best thing for me (and for the MC!). Any thoughts/advice/experiences appreciated!