Choosing a cat or a kitten

When folks think about adding a cat to their lives, they seem to automatically think "kitten." And why not? A kitten is irresistible with her baby face and silly antics, a little fluffball who'll play all day with you and steal your heart. Kittens are adorable, curious, playful and full of energy.

However, they can also be a lot of work, and exasperating at times, demanding lots of supervision to keep them out of trouble.

And with a kitten, you really don't know what kind of cat you'll end up with once she outgrows her kitten personality.

You'll need to kitten-proof your home from common household dangers such as electrical cords and household cleaners.

Kittens, like puppies, are babies. They make messes because they naturally want to explore and in doing so, they tend to knock things over and get into things they shouldn't, like that potted plant you had hanging around that you forgot to give your neighbor. When a kitten plays she uses her long sharp nails and may scratch you accidently.

Since young children move quickly and like to pick up a pet, they can accidently hurt a small kitten, which in turn may bite or scratch when frightened. Kittens and very young children usually don't mix well, as kittens can be fragile and youngsters kind of rough.

On the other hand, a kitten can be perfect for a family with older, more responsible children, or a source of delight to an active older adult. You just need to look carefully at your living situation and consider the problems and pleasures a kitten will bring.

Adult cats offer some good advantages and few disadvantages - one simply being that they aren't as "baby cute" as kittens.

The right adult cat is more likely to tolerate children and less likely to be injured. Plus an adult cat is generally much calmer and less likely to get into trouble - at least most of the time.

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 her own persona.

And depending on your age and lifestyle, you may be happier with an adult cat in your family. If you have a quiet lifestyle, work outside the home, or have children under the age of six, give some thought to adopting an adult cat.

Another good reason to adopt an adult cat is that many of the cats have little hope of getting a second chance after they hit the shelter, no matter how healthy, beautiful, and well-mannered they are.

The possible disadvantage of adopting an adult cat is that you may be choosing a cat with behavioral problems. A good shelter, rescue group, or breeder will practice full disclosure of any known health or behavioral problems with the cat up for adoption. Many cats are given up for problems that can be resolved with time and patience.

Cats with special needs can also make wonderful companions. They might be older, deaf, blind, or have a condition that requires medication, but that doesn't affect the amount of love and pleasure they have to give.

If you already have pets, you will need to consider them as well before bringing home an adult cat or kitten.

Cats, like people, are individuals. No two are exactly alike, whether they're from the same breed or even the same litter. Some cats are very mellow and will tolerate any kind of handling, including being dressed in clothes. These cats are perfect for older children. Other cats don't like being picked up or held and will only come to you for petting when they feel like it.

The first step to starting a long and lasting friendship with a cat is choosing the cat that's right for you and your lifestyle.

Once you've made a carefully thought-out decision, be a great pet parent by providing your furry feline friend with everything she needs to live a happy, healthy life.