Which cat to choose?

[sunflowerparty]

My partner and I finally feel ready to adopt our first cat together! But we are having trouble deciding between two options and it would be helpful to have others' thoughts. Both options are the same beautiful breed of cat which I have always loved and wanted.

The first option is a male kitten which will be available from a breeder in the next couple of weeks. We have only seen him over a video call but he is happy, healthy, confident, super cute, and comes from a reputable breeder. I love the idea of having a cat from young to old, and the opportunity to bond from a young age. If we go with this option, we need to decide this weekend.

The other option is a female rescue cat, 5 years old, which has recently been rescued from what sounds like a breeding mill. The rescue centre said she had a sweet personality but that it's quite hard to tell what she's like until her kittens are weaned (the kittens are unavailable). I would be able to meet her only in about a month's time, so not before we have to decide on the kitten. As she is an adult cat, I like the idea of seeing her personality before we adopt her, that she would be more 'calm' than a kitten, and I like the idea of giving a rescue cat a nicer life. However I do feel sad that her time with us would be shorter than if we were adopting a kitten, and I'm not sure what impact her background would be likely to have on her.

I keep flip flopping between these two options and it would be great to have others' views! If anyone has experiences of adopting a cat from the above background as well that would be helpful.

I would never buy from a breeder. There are so many cats without a home. All mine have been rescues. Get a youngish adult rescue from a known background with no major issues.

Why a specific breed? Just choose a lovely moggy kitten or cat from a rescue. Couldn’t bring myself to support anyone breeding cats for money. Most rescues will have one or two ‘breeds’ as well if it must be a long haired/flat faced or whatever you’ve set your heart on.

Anyone selling a cat will say whatever you want to hear. It’s all a bit of a gamble with kittens. A young adult from a rescue will be more likely to be described by personality.

Best of luck with your new overlord.

100% rescue cat. If people stopped buying from breeders there wouldn't be so many rescues.

Rescue every time. Please give her a home

I would never buy a cat from a breeder. There are so many cats at rescue centres looking for a loving permanent home.

Rescue cat 😊

Yes, sometimes at first it can be more difficult to live with a rescue cat than a kitten. But in time they grow to trust and love you, and that is a wonderful thing.

My rescue cat has lived with me for 13 years, and we are best buddies now. After a long time hiding behind cupboards, these days I can't get her off my lap 😂

With a slightly older cat you can be more sure of what you're getting. Especially if the rescue uses home fosterers.

This. I fostered for 2 years for my local rescue, & it meant that I could always tell potential adopters what the cat / kitten was like to live with.

About a year ago a 5-year-old mum & her son moved in with me. He was a big character & while he was there, she was fairly aloof & in the background.

On the day he left, she breathed a huge sigh of relief (I could practically see it) & came out of her shell. I ended up falling in love & adopting her.

Get the rescue!

And it might take a couple of days. All cats are different. My cat who sadly died ladt year was female and super affectionate.

Kittens are super stressful for many months and quite destructive too. I’d think hard about whether you want that in your life!!! I thought I did but actually it wasn’t great. My cats have only just chilled out enough to happily sit on laps at 3 1/2 years old and they are Ragdolls, supposed to be a very chill breed!

It's always advisable to adopt two kittens rather than one - they socialise each other and are less demanding of you.

So if you really can only manage one, I'd go for the older girl, as long as you're happy to be patient while she adjusts to her new home. If she's been used for breeding, she deserves a chance at a better life, the wee love...

Yes to all of this!

And 5 isn’t that old when you consider that cats can live until 20.

Absolutely this.

Ah, so if you can't get both (and agree with a PP that two cats don't need more space than one!), definitely get the rescue. I've had both - rehomed when older and kittens - and my rescues have, without fail, been lovely animals with one in particular, my little Soul Cat! God, I miss him so much!

Rescue! I wouldn't want to support cat breeding, I don't consider it wholly ethical when there are so many wonderful cats without homes.

5 is not old for a cat, she could easily give you over a decade of love and laughter.

I got a 5 year old rescue cat last year (he had been abandoned by previous owners) and he came out of his shell pretty quickly. He is a very cuddly, sweet and affectionate cat. He's been an absolute joy and when the rescue centre told me what he was like, they were right on the money.

Have you looked at smaller rescues? I am currently fostering a mom and 3 kittens and do it regularly. Smaller recuses usually have people who foster the mom and kittens until they’re ready for adoption. The kittens I have are only 2 1/2 weeks old but when they go up for adoption, people will be able to visit before they commit to anything.

Rescue every time.

Shelters are overflowing with lovely cats in need of homes. No need to encourage breeders to produce more to line their own pockets.

Thanks all, it's been really helpful to get these perspectives! I think I won't go for the kitten at this stage and will try to meet the rescue cat when she's ready. I'll update if we end up getting her 😊

I believe it’s better to know what you’re living with & trying to take care of.With the breeder you’ll be able to ask them or their vet? even.
Eg. My semi rescue was found by relative in an empty car park with very crumpled muzzle whiskers, is;
impossible to feed apart from totally unsuitable dry food,
was covered in fleas & starving,
hates being cuddled,
hates children (growls through window at neighbours children?!),
attacks your face if you look at him for too long &
is terrified of hoses
although likes playing with a dripping tap, to name a few of his odd characteristics, which make me think he’s had a very odd upbringing & some of which might be life limiting?

Slightly different circumstances to yours, but I adopted a 3 year old female ragdoll. The breeder was retiring her as she'd as two litters, and just wanted a good home where she'd be an only cat. After having her kittens, she didn't want to be bothered by other cats. She's settled in beautifully and likes to be near us. She's not a lap cat yet but that doesn't bother me. My son told me that getting her is the best decision we've ever made.

If you’re planning to move I wouldn’t get a kitten unless you are prepared to fix all the damage they can potentially cause!
Rescue all the way. My first cat was a lovely 3 year old cat who had had a litter prior. She was an affectionate little madam and we miss her so dearly.

we now have a long haired absolute nutter, he’s affectionate but on his own terms and not as snuggly as our girl. He was 1 when we got him, our couches, and walls, got destroyed. I’ve lost count of the wallpapering I’ve done whilst he grew out of it

I vote to rescue the mama. I adopted a 5 year old girl and she is the sweetest, most affectionate cat ever. She loves to cuddle. She’s also sassy and gives gorgeous stink face when my husband interrupts her sleep. Rescues are the best.

Take both. They will be company for each other

Just to add, my cat was very nervous when I went to see her in the breeder's house. And hid for a few days when she came home with me. So it's hard to tell the personality of an older cat too. She's not nervous now; she's very playful. In fact, she might be a bit too bonded: she likes to sit in my blind spot when I'm cooking or doing the dishes. I've had many a near miss 😆