Whether you’re adopting a cat for the first time or adding a new kitty to your existing family, one of the first questions you’re probably asking yourself is, “Should I adopt a kitten or an adult cat?” In this blog, we’re going to focus on the perks of adopting an older cat – and share a few considerations you probably hadn’t thought of yet!
1. You Can See Their Personality
Whether you visit kitties at a shelter or read the description their fosters post online, you can get a strong sense of their personality before you adopt them. Are they outgoing and cuddly? Are they the independent type? Do they interact with other pets and kids, okay? With a kitten, a personality hasn’t emerged yet. But with an adult cat, you can see who they are on day one and decide if your home is the best fit for their unique personality!
You can see what they dislike and their last home may be able to tell you a bit more on the subject. If they come from a shelter, the staff will have likely done an evaluation on their personality. Basically, because their characters are much more predictable, you know what you’re going to get.
2. They Know the Rules
One of the most common benefits we hear about cat ownership is that cats are an easy addition to any home compared to many other pets. They still require a financial investment (food, toys, veterinary bills, home visits when you’re away, etc.) as well as your time, love, and affection, but an adult cat is unlikely to cause damage to your home or disrupt your schedule.
Most cats surrendered to shelters, or foster care are there through no fault of their own; their previous owners divorced, developed an allergy, moved somewhere that doesn’t allow pets, etc. In those cases, adult cats know the rules of living in a house! They’ve lived in one if not multiple different places meaning they can adapt to different environments easily.
3. Older Cats Are Better with Kids
Kids love kittens – but don’t we all? They are so cute! But kittens are “kids” themselves and, because they are smaller, weaker, and less likely to know how to keep themselves safe, kittens have to be closely monitored around children. Adult cats, however, learn how to fend for themselves and will remove themselves from tricky situations. And in many cases, you may be adopting a cat who has experience with children, so they’ll understand how to engage with the tiny humans. Children still need to be supervised when interacting with any animal, but there is less to worry about with a more experienced feline!
4. Adopting An Older Cat May Cost Less
Like we said earlier, older cats will still require a financial investment including food, toys, and veterinary bills. However, adopting an older cat may mean that they’ve already had their initial vaccinations. Before claiming this benefit for your prospective cat, keep in mind that senior cats may come with existing health conditions and special dietary needs that cost more.
5. They Appreciate You
If you’ve ever had a cat, you undoubtedly experienced how intensely loyal they can be and the extent to which they love you! And while that bond can form with any cat, an adult cat who has experienced hardships – living in the wild, being abandoned, or even just living in a home where they were ignored – will understand and appreciate like no other creature your decision to adopt them. They know when you’re having a bad day, they can sense when you’re happy, and their past experiences help an adult cat fully understand and appreciate when a good person adopts them.
The ASPCA reported approximately 3.4 million cats enter animal shelters every year, most often for reasons outside of the cats’ control. No matter what traits you’re looking for, you’re sure to find the perfect cat through your local shelter or rescue organization. Shelters and rescue groups are pros at matching personalities, so we encourage you to tell them about your home and your family and let them help you find the perfect match!
Adopting An Older Cat: The Bottom Line
Does this article have you convinced yet? We hope so because there are numerous benefits to adopting an older cat. One benefit we didn’t mention is how much adopting an older cat can fill you up. You see, older cats need love too, and giving it to them will definitely lift your spirits and self-esteem.
Tell us about your cat in the comments! We love to hear how kitties make your life better.