Adult Cats – Why Adopt an Older Cat

Adult cats need as much love as the cute little kitten that makes you laugh. So don’t overlook the older ones when it’s time to expand your family.

Besides, the kittens won’t stay little forever. You realize they’ll turn into full-grown cats someday, right?

Over the past few years, my husband Wally and I tossed around the idea of getting a cat. We’ve had both cats and dogs in the past, and we love both. But at this time, a cat fits our lifestyle better than a dog.

Wally and I decided to adopt an adult cat because we wanted a calmer companion. Sadie is a very sweet two-year-old kitty that is still playful but knows when it’s time to chill.

She came to us through the Meow House, a cat rescue organization in North Carolina. They do a thorough job of vetting the adopters to make sure the kitties are going to good homes.

Sadie’s foster mom Oz brought the sweet bundle of fur to our house and spent some time helping our precious kitty get acclimated to the new environment. She also had a bag of food, a blanket, and some toys.

It took Sadie about three days to start getting comfortable with us. Now that she’s been here a couple of months, it’s like she’s always been with us.

Above all, this is Sadie’s home now, and we couldn’t be happier. I also love the fact that she’s good around our granddaughters.

Kittens vs. Adult Cats

If you can find a place in your heart to adopt an older cat, I highly recommend it.

Don’t get me wrong. I love kittens as much as the next person. They’re cute, playful, and have sweet little faces with big eyes that warm your heart.

In fact, you can’t help but smile when you see them swatting at whatever is in front of them.

So you start out wanting a new pet. Then you pick out the cutest kitten in the litter and take her home. The first night, you’re so excited you don’t mind the fact that she wakes up to play at 4:00 AM.

However, the second night, she’s still swatting at your face or nipping at your toes when all you want to do is get a good night’s sleep. By the time the third night rolls around, you’re wondering about your own sanity.

It actually never bothered me to see the toilet paper strewn around the house or food knocked off the counter when I got up. I learned to close the bathroom door before bedtime. I also cleaned off the countertops and basically kitten-proofed the kitchen.

A cat, on the other hand, has gotten past the kitten stage. Additionally, she needs her sleep too. Granted, she might not do all the silly stuff kittens do, but she’s also not as likely to chew through the cord of your favorite lamp.

Benefits of Adult Cats

First of all, adult cats don’t require as much constant attention as kittens. If you have a job or an otherwise busy life, you know your cat will be fine on her own for a few hours.

Secondly, you won’t have to take an adult cat to the vet for booster shots as frequently. Your adult cat won’t have to visit the vet nearly as often as a kitten.

Thirdly, you know what you’re getting with an adult cat. You can see how big the cat will be and have an idea of her temperament. Often the shelter or foster parent also has some sort of idea of her personality.

More Reasons to Choose an Adult Cat

Since kittens are so cute, and their actions make people laugh, they don’t spend as much time waiting for a forever home. If you choose an adult cat, you might be saving a life.

Adult cats have learned manners, so they’re better around children and senior citizens.

You don’t have to worry as much about an adult cat destroying your furniture or clothes when you’re not looking.

When you adopt an adult cat, you’re less likely to have claw or bite marks. Kittens have very sharp teeth, and most of them play-bite. Plus they haven’t learned when it’s appropriate to retract their claws.

Even though you can still play with adult cats, they don’t demand two-hour-long play sessions. In fact, they often enjoy hanging out on the couch as you watch TV at the end of the day.

Chances are, the adult cat has already been spayed or neutered, so you spare that expense.

If you already have pets in your home, an adult cat might be a better fit. Bringing a kitten home might upset a mature dog or cat because of the level of activity.

Some shelters and pet adoption agencies charge a lower adoption fee for adult cats than for kittens.

You might be the adult cat’s last chance to find a home, since most people want kittens. For this reason, the adult cat will be grateful and appreciate your love.

Kitty Playtime

While adult cats aren’t as rambunctious as kittens, they still enjoy some playtime everyday. Plus they like routine.

We’ve developed a routine with Sadie, and she seems very happy and well adjusted. Since she’s like most cats and wants to get up at the crack of dawn to “hunt,” we accommodate her.

We’ve purchased a bunch of cat toys, including some little catnip-filled mice that she loves. She plays with them until we get up.

Her favorite toy is a feather wand because it’s interactive. And it gets her moving, so she’ll get a good workout as she chases the feather until she “catches” it. She also likes chasing the laser dot.

When we’re busy doing something else, Sadie makes the rounds, first running through her tunnel and then swatting at track balls that spin in circles. By the end of the day, that little girl is exhausted. So she’s ready for dinner and a little TV.

How Adult Cats Relax

One of the things I’ve observed is how much she loves the outdoors. Since she’s an indoor cat, we’ve placed a cat tree beside a window so she can watch the birds and squirrels.

This gives her a taste of the outdoors without the risks. Fortunately, she never tries to run out when we open the door.

The other thing Sadie loves to do is sleep. There is something heartwarming about our cat sleeping next to me as I work at my computer.

More About a Southern Home

Yes, we southerners enjoy our pets, and most of us probably learned it from our southern mamas. They instill a love of all animals when we’re quite young. It’s simply one small part of our southern ways.

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