Choosing a Feline Friend​
You decided to add a kitty companion to your household - congratulations! What should you look for to choose the best match for your home?
Adult or Kitten?
The first question most people think about is whether to get a kitten or an adult cat. It’s easy to be drawn to an adorable kitten face and playful personality but an adult may be a better fit for your family. Here are a few things to consider when making the decision:
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Energy Level
Kittens are high energy, day and night. It can be almost impossible for a person to provide enough play to satisfy a kitten. Adults can be energetic and playful too but rarely are as go-go-go as kittens.
Personality
A cat’s personality develops over many years. If you are hoping for a specific type of cat (one that will cuddle or sit on your lap for long periods, for example), you are better off choosing an adult who already matches your expectations. A kitten may grow up to be a very different cat than you imagine.
Learned Skills
Kittens need to learn their house manners. They are more likely to get into things in your home and require more cat-proofing. Adopted adults generally have lived in homes and already know the routine. They are also more likely to have established litter box habits
Teenage Years
By 8-10 months kittens are full sized and look like adults but they aren’t mature yet. The teenage phase lasts until they are 2-3 years old and during this time their behavior can be even more troublesome than when they were kittens
Playful Aggression
It is very common for young kittens to bite and scratch in play as they are learning what is appropriate. While normal, this behavior may not be good match for young kids or people with certain medical conditions
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Why Two Kittens Are Better Than One
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If you’ve decided you still want to bring home a new kitten, it is highly recommended that you adopt two at the same time. Two kittens can provide the level of play needed to tire each other out in a way that a person can’t. Other benefits include:
- Learning social skills, how to control themselves, and how to play appropriately
- Preventing boredom that can lead to problem behaviors
- Keeping each other company while human family members are at work or busy
Two kittens can just be cats together in a way that we humans can’t provide for them. Adult cats in the home may not be interested in playing all day with a kitten either. Imagine you had to spend all day, every day entertaining a two-year old!
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If You Already Have Cats
A very important factor when adding a new cat to your home is matching the energy levels of existing cats. More than sex or age, energy level is going to predict how smoothly the introduction goes. If you have an laidback adult or senior cat, adding a single kitten may be difficult. Vice versa, if your current cat is high energy and playful, a shy or older cat may have a hard time.
If you already have an adult cat, adopting kittens in pairs is still the best plan as the kittens can play together and give the adult a break. No matter the ages or energy levels, start with a slow introduction and make sure all the cats have time and space away from each other when they need it.
Why do you want a Cat?
When deciding on a new cat, it is also important to think about why you want a cat and what expectations you have from them. Some common reasons to get a cat are:
- As companionship and to provide affection
- Something to play with and have fun with
- A playmate for an existing pet
- To teach kids responsibility or be fun for kids
While these are all valid reasons, choosing the right cat will help everyone live together happily. Find a cat that has the personality to match your reasons for getting a cat. For example, an independent, high-energy adolescent may not enjoy cuddling and a kitten may not be a welcome companion for a senior cat.
Finally, no matter the cat or kitten you choose, they will be a major addition to your life.
- Cats are long term commitments that can live 20+ years.
- To grow up to be enjoyable companions, kittens need socialization and training.
- While kids can help, a human adult must be ultimately responsible for the cat.
With a little effort, you can find the right cat for your family and have many happy years together!
This material was written in collaboration with cat behavior consultant Jessica Char.
Learn more at
www.FelineEngineering.com
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