Getting a kitten or an adult cat

Getting a kitten or an adult cat requires familiarizing yourself with the natural needs of feline animals in terms of diet, behaviour, and living conditions. Cats may be considered easy and independent pets, but they require care and attention, much like dogs. Getting a cat is not free, and it is often necessary to have the cat sterilised or neutered. You should also be prepared for additional veterinary expenses.

In this article we go through the things to consider when getting a kitten or an adult cat and how to prepare for the new family member’s arrival.

What to consider when deciding between getting a kitten or an adult cat?

Before getting a cat, it is good to consider whether to get a kitten or offer a home to an adult cat. Kittens require more supervision, training, and possibly play, while an older cat tends to be calmer, refrain from climbing curtains, and use the litter box properly.

Under some circumstances, an adult cat may be a better choice than getting a kitten, which requires a lot of attention.
 

Appropriate age for rehoming a kitten

If you have decided to go along with getting a kitten, choose a responsible breeder. Animal shelters may also have kittens looking for homes.

Previously, the age for rehoming a kitten was 12 weeks, but current knowledge suggests that a better age is at least 14 weeks. A sufficiently long period with the mother and siblings is crucial for a kitten's development. Moving to a new home too early can cause stress and behavioural problems in the cat. Therefore, you should not go along with getting a kitten younger than 14 weeks, even if the breeder offers it.

A responsible breeder socialises the kitten early on by getting it used to handling, various situations, sounds, and people. Additionally, the breeder allows the kitten to taste a variety of foods, ensuring its diet remains as varied as possible even in its new home.

Read our tips on getting a kitten the best suited food as well as answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding feeding a kitten.

Settling a kitten into a new home

Before the kitten arrives, it is wise to get suitable food, water and food bowls, cat litter, a litter box, and a travel carrier. A scratching post is also a great purchase as scratching is a vital part of a cat's natural behaviour. Scratching helps a cat leave scent marks and mark its territory.

Place scratching posts in multiple locations to prevent the cat from scratching furniture. Praise and reward the cat with play or treats when it uses the scratching post instead of forbidden surfaces.

Both the kitten and the adult cat may require training in their new environment. Check out our tips on teaching everyday skills for your cat.

Cats are naturally clean animals and often learn to use the litter box from their mother. If the kitten is not yet house-trained upon arrival, you can teach it to use the litter box by placing it in the box when it appears to need to go. Stroke and praise the kitten after it uses the box.

The cat litter box must be kept clean and cleaned daily. If the box is dirty, the cat will typically choose another place for its needs. Find out the best cat litter picks and cleanup tricks.

Kittens should not be taken outdoors until they have adequate vaccination protection. If you plan to take the cat outside, it is good to start getting the kitten used to a harness early on. 

Getting an adult cat

Getting a fully-grown cat is another excellent option instead of getting a kitten. Sometimes, adult purebred cats are available from breeders due to a change in the owner's life circumstances. However, more adult cats looking for homes are usually in the care of animal shelters and animal protection organisations.

How can I ease a cat’s settling into a new home?

• Changes can stress a cat, so give it enough time to become used to its new environment.
• Make sure you know what type of food and litter the cat is accustomed to beforehand.
• If possible, bring something with a familiar scent for the cat, such as a toy or blanket.
• Allow the cat to make contact with the new family at its own pace.
• Ensure there is a safe and secluded place where the cat can retreat if it wishes.

What is on your cat’s mind? Learn to identify a cat’s body language and its meanings.

Even though an adult cat may not be as playful as a kitten, it still needs enough activities. Explore our ideas on how to enrich the days of an indoor cat. 

Many cats are seeking a lovable home – can you help?

Getting a kitten or an adult cat from an animal shelter or an animal protection organisation is a good act, as it eases the burden on animal protection workers. At the same time, you can offer a good life to a cat that has had to change homes for one reason or another.

Some cats are best suited for being the only pet in the home. Others are looking for a home with their feline friend, and some are best suited to homes that already have a cat.

Homes are needed for cats of various ages and backgrounds. Whether you are an experienced cat person or first-time adopter, you can undoubtedly find the right companion.

Learn more about our work for animal protection.