Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Does anyone prefer adult cats over kittens?

56 replies

RamseyGordon · 01/11/2023 10:20

We have an adult cat and a kitten. I had no idea how much hard work it is to have a kitten. I knew it'd be tough, but she's 9 months now and I'm still exhausted with her.

This is light-hearted though, we love her to bits and she has enriched our lives so much and it's so fun to watch her grow. She's funny, affectionate, playful, has all her own little quirks.

But I also cant wait for her to grow up. It's reminiscent of when my children were young. Waking up in the night, wanting to get up at 5am. Crying for me if I'm in another room and the door is shut, needing to have eyeballs in the back of my head in case she gets into any trouble or starts destroying something. Dedicating lots of time in the day for play. All the energy! And more energy! We started letting her go out but not unsupervised but she won't go. She just stands on the grass screaming lol she's not very confident. I was trying to encourage her to play outside but she wasn't having any of it. We've tried quote a few times but there's no sign of her moving a muscle. She won't even go back inside she just stands on one spot frozen going "WAHHHHH" until I pick her up and take her back in bless her. I just thought that it'd help her burn off some energy but if she doesn't want to then that's fine.

As funny and cute and delightful as kittens are, and as much as we adore her..... I think in future I would stick to adult cats. Does anyone else prefer adults too?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Chemenger · 01/11/2023 10:23

Having fostered a few sets of kittens that were adorable but also completely mad I definitely prefer adult cats!

Stresa22 · 01/11/2023 10:28

I definitely prefer adults. You might try putting her on your lap outside and let her sit there just for a few moments to realise she’s safe. And then keep doing it. She will need to get used to the sounds and smells of her neighbourhood anyway in case she ever runs out.

CryptidChangeling · 01/11/2023 10:29

Doesn't everyone? 😉

Puppies and kittens are so cute, but, my goodness, they are hard work!

Beamur · 01/11/2023 10:30

Kittens are mental. Adults are much easier.
I have thoroughly enjoyed having ours as kittens though. Next cat could go either way.

TotalOverhaul · 01/11/2023 10:31

I do. We got our rescue boys aged 9 months. They were still manic but completely housetrained. Within a few months they were calm and cosy. Also, gorgeous as kittens are, they are too tiny. I worry about treading on them. Our first cat was so tiny (rescued from being drowned at only 5 weeks) he could sit on the palm of my hand and be carried around like a little sultan on a cushion. We also had to paint melted butter on his fur to teach him how to wash as he left his mum before she had time to teach him.

Rosykitten · 01/11/2023 10:52

I just remind myself that no matter how hard kittens can be, they aren't as hard as puppies and when they are grown they are very independent (unlike dogs. Much as I really love dogs).

Sometimes it's the luck of the draw with kittens, their personalities and how well they were socialised. Re going out, it sounds like she needs more reassurance. I would just carry her around the garden and show her it, a little every day. She is clearly indicating she is frightened by herself so maybe spend some weeks familiarising her re the layout from the safety of your arms. I usually start by making short trips outside just carrying them around and clearly showing them the steps and the door on leaving and return.

helpfulperson · 01/11/2023 10:55

I've always adopted older cats but during COVID took on a father and son where the son was 7 months. I definitely had times thinking I should have taken the pair of 10 year olds I was offered. it was the constant attention required! And the wanting to be involved in everything. Mind you when I first let them out I'd lost sight of him within 30 seconds and had a very anxious half hour until he reappeared chattering with excitement about all he had seen.

Original poster
RamseyGordon · 01/11/2023 11:11

For the people who have had kittens before, what age do they usually start to become a bit more independent and less hard work? I know every cat is different and some are higher energy than others and not all cats are very independent. But just generally can I expect things to settle a bit after a year?

OP posts:
AnnaMagnani · 01/11/2023 11:15

2 kittens are definitely less work than 1.

They calm down about 18 months to 2 years and then you will miss the craziness.

TheHorneSection · 01/11/2023 11:16

God, yes. We have two rescues. Last one joined us at age 6 or 7, and there was no way we were contemplating getting a younger cat!

Toddlerteaplease · 01/11/2023 11:58

Yes! All
Of mine have been adults.

mrmagpie · 01/11/2023 12:00

Me! I had two bengals from kittens and they were absolutely mental, I've had cats my whole life (my parents had five) so am very experienced with cats but it was quite stressful at first. When the first of those two cats died I adopted a three year old cat, and oh my gosh the difference, she is a Bengal too and a higher 'grade' than the others actually, but so much easier to deal with from day one.

The second of the original pair died earlier this year and I am now on the hunt for another. I don't want a kitten but equally not a cat that's really old, so it's proving quite tricky to find the right fit, especially as I have young kids and the charities just don't seem to like that.

Ideally I'd get another one over the age of about two. I don't think I'd get a kitten again!

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 01/11/2023 16:39

We had a Bengal kitten, he was so much fun. In future I’d get an older rescue Bengal. A retired Bengal basically.

margotrose · 01/11/2023 16:58

I think kittens get a really hard time on MN for some reason. We've had six over the years and have never found any of them to be particularly challenging - and we've had all kinds of combinations - entirely solo kittens, pairs of kittens and solo kittens with single and multiple adult cats.

We currently have a just-neutered six month old male and two adult males aged 3 and 8. They're an amazing trio and the kitten has really brought out the playful side of our "big boys". It's so nice to see them look after him too.

Littlelucas · 01/11/2023 17:08

I'm loving my kittens at the moment! Love watching them fight/play, love seeing the bond they have together. The only thing I'm not enjoying is constantly cleaning the litter trays and wiping up poo smears as one of them is currently being treated for a gastro problem 🤢

I plan on letting them out when they've been done but am having anxiety over this as next doors cat keeps snarling at them through the window - dreading having to navigate potential territorial fights as she is much older and bigger and my two are really laidback and sweet. I predict I'll be buying a super soaker!

Littlelucas · 01/11/2023 17:09

Ps. OP, I also meant to say - there's no way I'd be getting up at 5am to tend to a kitten - that's mad! just get up at your normal time, she'll get used to it.

Original poster
RamseyGordon · 01/11/2023 18:09

Littlelucas · 01/11/2023 17:09

Ps. OP, I also meant to say - there's no way I'd be getting up at 5am to tend to a kitten - that's mad! just get up at your normal time, she'll get used to it.

Oh I don't! She gets up at that time and wakes me up but I don't get up. I shut her out of the bedroom but the scratching and yowling at the door wakes me up

OP posts:
CesareBorgia · 01/11/2023 18:13

Yes, not because kittens are hard work but because adult cats have more developed personalities.

catlovingdoctor · 01/11/2023 18:19

Kittens are lovely but so intense! I prefer adult cats on the whole although kittens can be so playful.

margotrose · 01/11/2023 18:49

RamseyGordon · 01/11/2023 18:09

Oh I don't! She gets up at that time and wakes me up but I don't get up. I shut her out of the bedroom but the scratching and yowling at the door wakes me up

Show quote history

Shut her downstairs with food, water, litter and toys and ignore her - it's what we've always done with ours and they never wake us up.

YesItsMeIDontCare · 01/11/2023 18:56

My preference is definitely for older cats. I absolutely adore other people's kittens though 😁

I realise I have no say in how the CDS works though so I can't say I'd never have a kitten again.

Horrace · 01/11/2023 19:05

Oh yes. Definitely prefer adult cats. We have probably had 20 cats over the years. 4 at the moment. Always from kittens. But I think once they reach adulthood, their personality is so clear and that's what I love. They're all different. Kittens r all much the same character. Lovely as they are. But I like my cats lazy. Less bonkers running up curtains.

iloveeverykindofcat · 02/11/2023 05:08

I prefer adult cats. Kittens are adorable and funny, but they're a lot of work. I felt very protective and over-worried about Zara as a kitten. She was such a tiny, skinny little thing. When I took her home she fit in my hand. I remember rushing her to an emergency vet on New Year's Eve because she fell off a table and was limping. She had a bruise. I paid £300 to be told she had a bruise. I didn't have Bibi as a young kitten, I rescued her when she was about 1.

ArcticBells · 02/11/2023 06:01

I can't resist any type of baby Blush Grin but certainly love them most when they grow up

ilovesooty · 02/11/2023 09:28

Littlelucas · 01/11/2023 17:09

Ps. OP, I also meant to say - there's no way I'd be getting up at 5am to tend to a kitten - that's mad! just get up at your normal time, she'll get used to it.

My friend has two 4 year old cats. One of them started tantrumming at 5am as a kitten. He was indulged and has never grown out of it.

My kitten is now 7 months old and I've had him since 7 weeks. He's been a handful but is calming down now and he's been good for my 6 year old who lost his brother.

Swipe left for the next trending thread