Should I Adopt a Kitten or an Adult Cat?

In this video, I'm discussing making a choice between a kitten and an adult cat when you want to adopt a new pet.

I'm Tom Kirby, UW-AAB, LSHC-S and I'm a certified animal behavior consultant who specializes in cats. At Kitty Help Desk, I offer affordable, science-based, judgement-free, feline behavior consults.

DISCLAIMER: This video is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for a one-on-one consultation with an animal behavior consultant or a veterinarian.

All products shown or mentioned in this video were purchased at retail. I prefer not to do paid reviews or product placements. My opinions are my own.

Video content by Tom Kirby, UW-AAB, LSHC-S
Original music by Tom Kirby
Modeling by Miss Lucy and Miss Mina

Please comment responsibly.

[kw]

Cats tend to have a certain personality they are born with that is not as apparent when they are kittens. I like to adopt adults because typically it is easier to judge their overall disposition. I like very lovable cats, but sometimes kittens do not grow into loveable cats. Also, adult cats are less desired by others and thus I am helping an adult cat who is often ignored when someone comes in to adopt

[LarcR]

Don't go to the shelter to choose a cat. Go to the shelter to let a cat (or bonded pair) choose you.

[Littlestaxolotl]

Thank you for this! I'm a foster parent for dogs and cats, and I absolutely love working with senior cats. They're so affectionate, especially if they've had pain before you took them in and you fix it for them, like broken bones or arthritis. I can never get them a forever home so they get to stay at my house and pampered for their final years

[SeastarTheWitch]

I should have watched this before getting a kitten. After 11 years with the family's cat, that I grew up with, I was used to a more mature cat. When I moved out a few months ago, I adopted a 3 months old kitten. I thought I was allergic due to my allergies acting up, but later it turned out not to be the kitten I was reacting to.

I also regretted my decision a bit. Adopting a kitten like 2 days after moving out of my family home wasn't a smart move....so I returned him to his mother, who luckily accepted him back.

But then 3 days later, I regretted that decision too, and by some miracle, he was yet to be adopted, likely due to being all black.

I texted the woman I got him from, asking if he was still available, and that I wasn't allergic after all. She said someone was interested in him, but he hadn't left yet. So she said whoever can get him first, gets to keep him. Luckily that was my mother, who happened to drive by that day.

Nearly 7 months old now, newly castrated, still have him. Still regret the spontaneous decision, but I can't bring myself to part from him again, and I can't wait until he gets older.

[JohnnyMelwood]

My beautiful cat is now 4yrs old. We adopted her at 10 weeks. She was a nitemare lol. I’ll never do a kitten again. 🙏🏼

[aspensulphate]

Excellent advice... thanks! (I love that black and white cat!)

[debbietaylor]

Im in the uk and rescues wi t let me have a rescue cos im too near a main road even an older one 😢

[blueeyes]

Put that link you mentioned pls? About the colour coding of cat personalities