Adopting a Cat

What Type of Cat Should you Adopt?

So You Are Thinking of Adopting a Cat…As the proud owner of 5 cats myself, I know that there are many different places to acquire a new feline friend and many things to take into consideration before making that initial leap into pet parenthood. A few questions you should ask yourself before making your final decision include, do you want an adult cat or kitten, short or long hair, purebred or rescue, male or female? There are of course pros and cons to all of these considerations, but the biggest pro is that you will be enriching your life (and that of your family), with the addition of a new furry feline companion.

Let’s briefly touch on each of these considerations:

1) Adult or kitten? With the adoption of an adult cat, basically what you see is what you get which is a bonus. If you are looking to adopt a kitten you will likely have your hands full for the first few weeks while they adjust to their new environment and settle into their new home. While there are exceptions to every rule, kittens “tend” to get into more trouble than their adult counterparts. That being said, kitten proofing your house is VERY important before bringing home your new ball of joy.

2) Short haired or long? Over the years I certainly have had my share of both, but now know I prefer long haired cats. This is definitely a personal preference for each cat owner. Some people will find they are allergic to one hair type versus another. I know you will find this hard to believe, but I myself find that short haired cats shed more than the long haired ones. Short haired cats tend to shed individual hairs all day long where a long haired cat tends to lose their fur in “clumps” which are easier to pick up. Longer haired cats will have fur that mats more easily than their short haired counterparts, so daily grooming is another important consideration before adoption.

3) Purebred vs Rescue? The fact that you are even considering adopting a new “friend” means that some cat somewhere, is going to be given an even better life than they have already.

By choosing a mixed breed cat from the shelter or a private home, you can sometimes avoid the genetic problems and larger fees involved with adopting a purebred cat from a breeder.

4) Male or female? Again this choice generally comes down to personal preference. I personally have an affinity for male cats and find them more social and cuddly from my past experience, but they also have a higher risk of urinary problems over female cats. Do your research of both pros and cons before making your final decision, and consider involving your veterinarian in the process so you can make an informed decision.

As always, we at College Manor welcome all of your questions and invite you to call or drop in anytime and one of our team members will be happy to provide you with more great information and resources. Or, you can leave a comment right here on the site. We’d love to connect with you on our Facebook page too!

Angela Devereaux, Office Co-Ordinator