Old Timers versus Kittens
If you visit your local rescue centre and you are looking for a cat, perhaps for the first time or maybe to add a member to your feline family, you may be naturally drawn to the tiny, cute balls of furry fun that are kittens! It’s only natural. They tug at your heart strings and are so funny and sweet you can feel your insides melting…
But spare a thought for the old timers, those senior cats that for whatever reason have landed behind bars either in their prime or in their twilight years and can be so easily overlooked. These dignified and stoic cats have already known the love of a good home hopefully, are trained to be the perfect house companion and are just waiting to melt into your arms.
It is said that a true cat lover and appreciator will hanker after adult cats rather than kittens but if you’re still unconvinced here’s some reasons why although a kitten may be fun and cute they they might not be the best option for you:
1. Kitten take A LOT of looking after. They haven’t quite figured out the litter tray yet and don’t know that your expensive Laura Ashley settee is not a scratching post! Do you have the time and patience to ‘train’ your kitten?
2. Does your family include little people under the age of 2 or 3? If so, you’ll have to have eyes in the back of your head as young children and kittens are not a good mix. A small child can inadvertently kill at kitten. This also applies where you have dogs. Again your mutt might get a bit too boisterous and knock the kitten (I’ve seen it happen). You’ll need to keep the kitten closely supervised until its big enough to fend for itself.
3. If you have other cats again you’ll need to do a fair amount of acclimatizing. The kitten won’t be able to stand up to an older cat if your existing kitty takes offence to a newcomer.
4. Check your house for dangers. If you can’t be at home all the time to supervise you need to question yourself whether its safe to have a kitten.
5. Be aware with a kitten you’ll need to get it neutered or spayed and vaccinated.
In contrast here are some pointers on why an older cat can be such a pleasure:
1. Older cats do not need looking after as much as kittens. In fact they are pretty expert at looking after themselves. This is great for someone who works and can’t be there all the time throughout the day.
2. In general senior cats are much calmer than younger cats and are better at adapting to strange environments.
3. Older cats tend to have been neutered and the shelter should be able to tell where they are up to with their vaccinations.
4. You’re safer mixing older cats with children. Your old timer will know to head for cover when a toddler hits the room!
5. Older cats know how to use a litter tray usually. You won’t have to train it.
6. As with children a senior cat will rule the roost when it comes to other pets. They can hold their own with dogs for example as long as there is an easy escape route.
Some things I've noticed
| Canoe Insurance at great prices. |
| sexi shop |
| Insure My Cargo Website |
| Life Insurance Ireland |