Читать книгу Cats For Dummies - Gina Spadafori - Страница 23

Adult cats offer some compelling advantages and few disadvantages — the most serious disadvantage being simply that they aren’t as “baby cute” as kittens!

Kittens get away with all their endearing goofiness because they measure way off the adorability scale, but if you suspect you’re going to get tired of having your feet attacked, if you worry about your children not being gentle enough, or if you don’t want to be figuring out what your little baby is into every second of the day and night, an adult cat is a better option for you.

If you adopt an adult cat, you know exactly what you’re getting. Body type, coat, and eye color are set. Laid-back or active, quiet or vocal, cuddly or demanding, an adult cat has already settled into his own persona. These considerations may not be as important in a pedigreed cat, because you know, based on your kitten’s background and the breeder’s knowledge and reputation, what your kitten is likely to grow into in terms of body type and temperament. But in a nonpedigreed kitten, these qualities are really anybody’s guess. If you want to make sure that you’re getting, say, a mellow pet, choose a cat beyond the ants-in-his-pants kitten stage. (More on pedigreed cats later in this chapter.)

The easy care and generous affection of adult cats make them perfect pets for people for whom walking dogs would be difficult or impossible. And study after study confirms the importance of a cat in the lives of those who feel isolated by age or disabilities.

What age should you consider? Young adults of less than five years of age are often very kitten-like but without the teething, spaying, extra vaccines, and so on that come with new kittens. They are great cats for families with children. Older adult cats might be better for those looking for more laid-back and settled cats. And there's another real benefit to adopting one of these older cats: Some rescue groups wave adoption fees on older pets, and some even offering programs where all the veterinary care for these cats is covered, so a senior cat is truly a carefree companion!

One of the most compelling reasons to adopt a mature cat is that many of these adults have little hope of getting a second chance after they hit the shelter, no matter how healthy, beautiful, and well mannered they are. Kittens are so adorable they’re hard to pass up, and so many people never even look at the cages of adult cats when they’re at the shelter.

The possible disadvantage of adopting an adult cat is that you may be choosing a pet with behavioral problems — not using a litter box, for example. A good shelter, rescue group, or breeder practices full disclosure of any known health or behavior problems with the animals up for rehoming. Remember, however, that many animals are given up for behavior problems that can be resolved or aren’t their fault — such as the cat who’s looking at a filthy litter box every day and decides to do his business elsewhere.

An adult cat’s personality may be set, but his affections aren’t — a grown cat bonds with you just as tightly as a kitten does. We think that adult cats are even more likely to appreciate you for taking them in.

Most people — maybe even you — will still choose a kitten over a cat; such is the power of packaging. But we want to make sure that you aren’t automatically excluding some wonderful pets. Look at kittens, sure, but check out the cats, too. Strike a blow against ageism! We think you get brownie points for adopting an animal who has everything going for her — except kittenhood. Adopting an adult cat is also a great time- and money-saver.