Thread: Kitten vs. Rehomed Adult

We have had both a stray MC mix that we took in and a retiree from a breeder (that we have other cats from). I agree that the first 6 months or 1 year with such cats can be somewhat trying, but our two cases certainly worked out well. The male MC mix that we took in had been living outside for probably two years before we took him in, so he was not used to living with people, but he adapted quite quickly. In the end, he came my big buddy, and he is the reason we now have four MCs (unfortunately he turned out to have HCM so was with us for less than five years). The retiree was not quite one year old when we got her, and she had known the kitten we had just gotten from the breeder. She certainly was not a very happy cat for many months, and did not feel like our cat during that period. Kittens inherently trust you, but Allie did not for a good long time. Eventually, though, she became no different from a cat we had had from kittenhood, and is a big cuddler.

So if you are willing to deal with a cat that is not particularly not being particularly attached to you for several months, getting an adult can be a fine choice. Kittens are fun, but kittenhood doesn't last that long, and kittens can be quite a bit of work.

Thanks for the info on your experience. I guess it can be quite difficult settling a new adult cat in, even if it came from a breeder where it was well looked after (which I'm assuming is the case with your ex-breeder cat.

For those of you who have had kittens, please can you tell me if you think it would be a problem with my not being at home during the day whilst the kitten is still fairly young? I'm particularly thinking about feeding, etc. if they would need a mid day meal? Although there are such things as automatic feeders, but I'm not sure how good they would be.

If you fed the kitten on dry food you can leave it down all day as unlike dogs they don't try and eat it all in one go and will just come and go as and when they feel hungry. When we first got Simba the breeder told us to leave his dry food down all day and offer wet food three times a day but not worry if he doesn't want it. He was never keen on the wet food and I gave up on it eventually - he know only eats his Royal Canin MC adult.

I think if you left him or her with plenty of toys to entertain it all day and access to water and food it should be fine. Have you thought of getting two kittens if you are thinking of leaving them during the day it might be nicer for them to have company. I would have definitely if I was away during the day.

Ultimately though I suspect it will be you that suffers leaving it as they are so adorable as kittens you will want to spend all day playing with him or her.

I agree with karena as we both work full time we had two so they had company in the day I think we missed them more than they missed us! From the first day they had breakfast and kibble down all day then the one home first gives them their tea and then they have supper at about ten. This seems to suit them and you always get a welcome when you come home I like to think its nothing to do with food but I know the truth!

the fact that we will be t work during the day is one of the reasons we will have two kittens when the time comes ....my adult cat ( who i admit is very old now) spends alll day sleeping and doesnt seem to care if we are here or not ...even when she was younger she did just sleep daytime and paly when we got home

Thanks guys. I hadn't really thought about getting two. Although I can see the advantages from the kittens point of view, I'd only really thought about having a single one.

Maybe I'm partly trying to avoid turning into one of my sisters who currently has 7 cats (all rescue moggies).

I never had the option of an adult cat... but we would have gone with a kitten anyway... Especially as having kids one of which doesn't know the meaning of leaving the cats alone!

And even though we have kittens of 2 different breeds they get along great together....