The Life Span Cycle Of Vet Care For Dogs

3 Reasons To Adopt An Older Cat Instead Of A Kitten

7 November 2018 by Leonard Wallace

Australia is a nation of pet lovers, and along with dogs, cats are valued members of households across the nation. Due to the ever-increasing feral cat population and strict new regulations about the sale of cats in pet shops, more Australians than ever are adopting cats from animal rescue organisations.

Unfortunately, even with the increase in adoptions, many older cats are being passed over in favour of kittens or young cats. However, older cats make wonderful companions and can often fit more easily into a household than younger animals. If you're considering a cat adoption, then here are three reasons why you should think about choosing an older animal.

1. No toilet training

By nature, cats are fastidious animals who like to keep themselves clean. However, young cats and kittens still need to be trained to use the litter box. They generally catch on quickly, but there will inevitably be plenty of accidents before they've perfected the art. You can avoid this messy, smelly and sometimes frustrating process when you choose an older cat.

It's incredibly rare to find a mature cat who isn't fully toilet trained. Just remember to provide a clean and regularly changed litter tray in a place they can access at all times. If you already have one or more cats in your home, providing the new feline with their own litter tray will ease tensions at toilet time.

2. Less collateral damage

Kittens and young cats are undeniably cute. They love to play and explore and can provide hours of entertainment with their antics. However, along with this youthful enthusiasm comes the collateral damage which usually involves broken ornaments, chewed cords and shredded furnishings and fabrics.

An older cat has already cut its teeth and claws during their young, wild days, and is unlikely to cause any physical mayhem in your home. Older cats are much more content to find a comfortable place and curl up for the day, and they won't be waking you at all hours of the night with their nocturnal hi-jinks.

3. More of the feel-good factor

Adopting an unwanted cat inherently feels better than buying one from an unlicensed breeder. Yet, adopting an older cat can magnify this feeling because you know that, unlike a kitten, your older cat has been abandoned or surrendered by their old family. This may be because of death or unavoidable circumstances, but your cat doesn't understand this.

Giving an older cat a home to see out its twilight years will be rewarding for you and wonderful for your cat.

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