9 month old cat. Good idea?

[Peasbewithyou]

We are thinking of adopting a 9 month old cat from the RSPCA. He has been given up because the owners divorced and neither could take him into their new accommodation.

I have asked if he has been around children before (as we have small children under age of 8) and we are going to meet him and see what we think but as a relatively novice cat owner (only had cats when I was a child and teenager) I am keen to hear whether it is a good idea to adopt one this age or if it’s better to get either a kitten or an older cat.

Obviously coming from RSPCA he will have had the snip and be fully vaccinated etc etc. We have a decent size house & garden and no other pets so no problems from that POV.

Thank you!!

A 9 month old would be better size wise than a tiny kitten. Go for it if the RSPCA will adopt to you with small children.

Thank you! That’s what I was thinking but didn’t know if any draw backs to this age.

I have spoken to the homing team and they are happy to let us adopt in terms of children. I just have to provide pics of our house & garden etc.

I'd go and meet him and see how he is; try playing with a toy on a stick or similar, see if he leaves your hands alone etc. He's a better size for young children and may be past the worst of the "teenage" stage and starting to settle down.
For context, we adopted our kitten (also RSPCA) at 12 weeks. He was a delight for four days (to trick us in to loving him), and has been a spikey, bitey little bigger since. He literally runs up me to stand on my shoulder. He is six months now, I'm hoping that the loopiness will subside soon! Our older cat is starting to play with him, but retreats and watches from a distance when he goes into manic-tail-chasing mode.

*little bugger

"literally runs up me to stand on my shoulder" - rofl

Our lad was a similar age when we adopted him (we don't know exactly) from CP. He was a decent size when we got him so not too small for young kids. You can work out their character a bit more by that age too.
Ours was a handful when we got him (to be fair he still can be now and he's 3 and a bit!) and chewed on all sorts of things. He has calmed down now. That's said our previous cat was so chilled it was quite a change!

9 months was a hard age for us. Dcat has just started calming down at 14 monyjs lol

maggiethecat it was funny when he was 12 weeks and weighed nothing. At 6 months it's becoming painful!

Thank you so much! So it sounds like it could be good obviously depending on his personality, but generally better than getting a younger cat!

At that age you will need lots of toys to entertain him! Keep us posted.

We got our lad when he was 9 months. Children were 1 & 3. It’s worked out really well.

@Vinorosso74 I will do, thanks! If we go ahead and get him we will definitely get some toys. The kids will love playing with him!

@nomorespaghetti that’s great to hear thanks. I have a 2 & 4 year old so not dissimilar!

We adopted a pair of boy cats in similar circumstances. Just over a year old, came from a home where the couple split up and neither could keep them. They’d been in the cabins waiting for three months for a home I think because people either wanted kittens or an older cat. We’ve had them for 11 years now, and still just as happy we decided to adopt them. Pretty easy going from day one though desperate to go outside. Loved playing and running around the garden. We used to have rattly balls they played fetch with! Straightforward with food. Definitely recommend it. Good luck!

Just thought I would pop back and update.

Well we went to meet him and he was lovely and the RSPCA were happy for us to take him so he is now happily living with us. He really is a “people cat” - just wants to be with us all the time. Friendly, playful but not crazy and he doesn’t use his claws when he tries to occasionally catch my hand when he is in that mood (although he does bite it a bit, it doesn’t hurt). Generally he seems very chilled. He did come with a bit of a cold - the odd sneeze - but he seems healthy and happy otherwise and is eating, drinking and toileting well so the RSPCA said he should be fine. Fingers crossed!

I have lots to learn about cats I know as I have never had my own before but so far so good.

Thanks again for the advice! I think he is the right cat for us!

That's lovely news @Peasbewithyou - can we have a photo?

Wonderful update! Yes, a photo would be good.
There's loads of info online (reliable places) on cats. Am sure the RSPCA have some, Cats Protection have lots of info broken into categories. There is a website called icatcare which is good too.
Your vet will also have lots of info available too.

Here he is!

Thanks so much for the info!

He is doing well. Was a bit grumpy yesterday after he had his jabs on Thursday - tried to bite me when I picked him up to get him out of my toddler’s bedroom but I’m assuming he just wasn’t feeling his normal self and didn’t want to be picked up! Fair enough!!

What a gorgeous boy! Am sure he'll soon settle in.

Thank you @Vinorosso74!

I might start a new thread about this but do you know how bad it is if a cat has a snotty nose? Do their jabs cause this? He has green snot coming out of one nostril and was sneezing a bit last week. Don’t want to be all first time cat owner about it and run him to the vet but also not sure if I should be concerned! He is eating and drinking ok. I tried to call the Rspca as they said to just ring if any concerns but they are closed until Monday.

Is it normal for cats like it is for toddlers?

There are a few vets who post on The Litter Tray so they would be better to advise.
Cat flu can be common in kittens and can spread around rescue centres (even in vaccinated cats) due to it being a stressful environment which lowers the immune system. I think the vaccine is like that in humans that it isn't 100% effective. He may well have had it as a younger kitten so may be prone to it. This is how I understand it.
I would see how he is and if ok in himself maybe just call vet on Monday. If he goes downhill your vet will have the out of hours number on their website/answerphone; the out of hours have vet nurses you can speak to for advice.

Thanks so much!
Yes they have an out of hours number so will keep an eye on him and if he is ok will ring the vet on Monday and see what they say!

I would get him seen by a vet.

I've had a few cats over my lifetime and never seen one with a snotty nose. In general, I don't think cats get "colds" like humans do.

My current cat gets sticky eyes but never a snotty nose.

Oh and also - do discourage the biting. If you don't it'll get worse. If he likes attention from you, just say "nooo" sternly in a low voice but not shouting and walk away from him.

Thank you @idril! I will definitely call the vet on Monday morning then, unless he gets worse before then of course, then I will call the emergency number.

I have been trying to discourage the biting so any tips on that very welcome! Thank you! Will try what you suggest!