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!

If we did'nt have other cats & dogs I would have given an adult MC a home but its easier for us to have a kitten accepted by the rest not us me thinks Im getting to old for kitten antincs

Very true. If I already had a cat I would go for a kitten, but this will be my first one.

I have just got my 2 older girls. Purdie is 4 and Brisca is nearly 2. We chose adult cats because, at the time, we had 2 older cats, sadly we only have 1 now. My girls have settled in really well and have totally bonded with the whole family. They play beautifully and behave like kittens most of the time! I would not swap them for the world and have not had any difficulties at all. Having said that. I would also have a kitten if my OH allowed! You will have less choice and probably have to travel and wait a while too. It isn't as easy to find an MC to rehome as you'd think.

I was offered an adult Maine Coone from one of the breeders I approached as she didn't have any red or cream kittens but had an adult neutered queen which she wanted to re-home but because I have dogs I wanted a kitten as I thought it easier to introduce. This adult had no experience of dogs. She was beautiful though and I was tempted.

My first MC was an ex breeding queen {my daughter had one of her babies from her last litter but she didn't like being a mum} we did find her hard going to begin with but she also had some very good points about her,we were told she would eat any plants & that we wouldn't be able to have anything on our mantlepiece because she would knock them off but we actually found she responded to a "no you don't" very quickly,quicker than the babes,but she also could get a bit rough & nip you & if you went to do something that she didn't like you soon found out by the way of a nasty nip or scratch.Having said that though the MC traits far outweighed everything & although I said I wouldn't have wanted that first year with her again she has turned out to be a most loving friendly girl who likes nothing more than to sit with her arms wrapped round your neck & cover you with kisses,although she didn't like her own babies she has mothered every other one that has come into our house{much to the surprise of the breeder as she had always been a loner} she was not a bit put out with the two dogs that we had at that point,got on better with them at first than us & she certainly made an impression or we wouldn't now own so many of them. I would never rule out that we wouldn't rehome an adult again.
Having said all that I have still enjoyed having the kittens,none more so than the last time when we had the two together,descisions,descisions,but whatever you choose will be right for you,something will pull at the heart strings & you know that is it.I waited six years to get the colour & pattern that I so loved & he was the fourth MC to join the household but he is loved no more or less than the others just because he happens to be my "ideal colour".. Will keep watching for news of the outcome of this journey !