adopting a cat question

[2CheekyMonkeys]

DH finally said we can get a cat! YAY! i am now tossing up wether to get a kitten or an older cat? what would suit small children better? i dont really want to have the hassle of toilet training them to go outside... it will be an adopted pet so they will be used to using litter but i am not going there!

[skybie]

The beauty of kittens, they come toilet trained! only takes one outside adventure for them to work out where to go outside, so if thats putting u off getting a kitten, dont worry! obviously you'll have a few weeks of the kitten being inside 24/7 but if u buy tray liners, makes clean up alot easier!!

As for an older cat v's kitten....it really depends on the cat itself, neither can be garunteed as a better pet for young children.

We adopted our can at a 16 week old kitten, and he is the most placed and patient dude in the world! DD1 was about 5 months old when we got him and put up with all the tail pulling, fur ripping and being sat on! even now she picks him up very awkwardly and throws him, but he never struggles or scratches, just kinda flops till it's all over! pmsl

My mum has two adult cats (they're actually mine but she wouldnt let me take them with me when i moved out!) and they wont have a bar of any kid! as soon as they hear my car pull up they bolt for the door. suprisingly though, they're both females!

From personal experience i've found that males tend to be more affectionate and gentle pets.

if i were to get another cat, i'd get a kitten again that way it can grow up with roudy kids chasing it, as apposed to it being a major shock to their system.
the shelters should be able to point u in the direction of cats that have been raised with kids

HTH

[Tanya]

I'd say adopt an older cat... there are so many that need homes and they are just as lovely as kittens. Maybe ring the local animal shelter and talk to them

Have fun on your new family member journey
xx

[Cassius2]

we have adopted both older cats and younger cats and TBH at the end of the day it really depends on their personalities! all of our cats have been loving, gentle creatures and not only entered our homes, but also our hearts.

That said, adopting an older cat does have a special 'feel good' factor about it. when we went to the RSPCA they automatically assumed that we would want a kitten, but instead we headed to 'death row' and picked out our boy cat Ciccio who was just over a year old. they were soo stoked as he was due to be put down in 2 days time. the lady was really emotional as he was (and is!) the most gentle and cuddly cat around....he's not terribly bright but that's a whole other story ROFL!

goodluck with your decision! have you checked out the shelters online to see if any catss/kittens take your fancy?!

[2CheekyMonkeys]

yeah i looked at a local shelter and there is one cat that is 12 months old that i like. DH wants to pick it though! he is at work so hasnt been able to have a look yet. i only got confirmation from him via facebook ' i cant believe i am saying this but get the damn cat' hehe (in a nice way)i have been pestering him for a while ;-)

but then i think it would be nice for the girls to have a kitten. so i dont know.. will have to wait and see them in the flesh to pick i think.

[New Dawn]

We got our cat from the RSPCA when she was 16weeks old and DD1 was 2, she is so plased thing ever, she sits in doll prams and is happy to be dressed up and playied with... the kitten fromthe RSPCA are used to been handled as people come in all weekend and sit and cuddle them... I would always get a RSPCA cat again...

But that said a 12 mth old cat would be fine too, having worked in a pound older cats are never brought so are always put to sleep, so you really will be saving a life getting a older cat... either Cat or kitten it doesnt matter they both will take some time to used to your family, and might scrach sometimes, but its just a matter of training your children to see the signs of when the cat isnt happy....

Good luck and enjoy your new family member

[{sarah}]

The only thing I would be concerned about with an older cat is that they might not be used to kids. We got a kitten in January & I think it's lucky we did because my two drive him crazy. They both want to pick him up & chase him & just generally love him to death! Our older cat was never brought up with children & doesn't like them & hides from the noise.

[Cassius2]

The only thing I would be concerned about with an older cat is that they might not be used to kids. We got a kitten in January & I think it's lucky we did because my two drive him crazy. They both want to pick him up & chase him & just generally love him to death! Our older cat was never brought up with children & doesn't like them & hides from the noise.

that's why i would prolly make sure that whatever shelter you adopt from has some kind of behavioural check system. the RSPCA do them and can tell you which cats/dogs etc are suited to what kind of family...

[Dansta]

we adopted one of our cats from the RSPCA - she was 3 (or 2 we're not sure!) and she's good with our DS - admitly he's only 13 months but she's good with knowing when to run away - and she's also been good with the other kids we've had in our house, even when a friend of DS's grabed a chunk of her fur she just looked at me like "uh, make him let go" you can also ask (if they know) if the cat has been around kids before/ if they're suited to kids. we asked them about our girl and they said she'd been find with the kids comming in to see cats. as for loo training most cats are fairly bight and you only need to show them the loo once or twice - then they "get it" as DH told me (he's had his male since he was 3weeks old) and sure they have some "oppsies" but they're fairly clean animals who like to keep their wees and poos covered up.

both of our cats co-slept with DH, DS and I too.

from a male Vs. Female thing. males tend to be more plasid and affectionate then females, our male had been chomped on, flopped on and chased and only ever "complained" about it, never striking out at any one. but each cat is their own cat, and once you spend a little time in the cat enclosure you'll get a feel for the cats. - DH and i found the saying true; "you cant pick a cat, it'll pick you"