When most people think about owning a cat, they almost always have a picture a playful kitten in mind. That's great, but there are definite advantages to adopting an older cat.

First of all, you know what you're getting. Even though kittens are cute and energetic, you can't be absolutely sure of how its personality or even its looks will develop. It may look adorable and act quite sweet at 10 weeks of age, but as it grows and develops its personality and features, you may be in for a surprise! Sometimes you believe your kitten has a short-haired coat, only to watch it turn into a long-haired one, which can be a problem if someone in the family is allergic. Older cats are of course fully grown and their characters (shy or cuddly, aloof or needy) are easy to determine.

Another great benefit to adopting an older cat is that they are generally fully trained, with respect to the litter box and acceptable behavior in the home. Although training a kitten is not usually difficult, some who have never known a litter box (perhaps they were born in a barn or outside to a stray cat) can take a bit of time getting used to it. Similarly, most older cats have already been trained by their previous owners that furniture must not be scratched, and recognize what a scratching post is and how to use it. They are less likely to believe the food on the counter is put their for them to eat, or that they are welcome to sit on the dining room table to share a meal with you.

It's also more likely that an older cat has passed its hyperactive stage, making it less destructive and much calmer than a kitten. Kittens will climb anything and everything, from your legs and back (ouch!) to curtains and wall hangings. Their claws are extremely sharp and can really hurt. In fact, kitten's claws only begin to retract when they are 28 days old, so when you're getting a kitten who is 8 weeks old, it's just learning a natural behavior: to scratch.

There's a financial factor to consider when adopting an adult cat. Many older cats that are up for adoption will have already been spayed or neutered, whereas you will have to pay for your kitten's surgery when the time comes (usually at no later than six months of age). Obviously, you'll save the cost of this procedure when you adopt a cat who has been fixed, and this can be considerable, running into hundreds of dollars depending on how much your local vets charge.

And finally, you shouldn't forget the fact that it may be the last chance at life for the older cat. Most people surrender their adult cats to shelters reluctantly, due to allergies or relocation. Some cats are simply lost and never found by their owners. In other words, very few adult cats are up for adoption due to behavior problems. Whatever the reason, it is a traumatic and frightening experience for any cat to experience such upheaval and be suddenly caged in a shelter, separated from everything they know, and surrounded by other terrified animals.

Indoor-only cats have lifespans of up to 20 years and the majority remain pretty healthy throughout. To dismiss the idea of adopting a 3 or 5 or even 8 year old adult in favor of a kitten just because the cat is too old is simply not an argument that holds much weight.

While some adult cats might need a little time to adjust to come to terms with all the changes and to their new surroundings, they will eventually feel safe and secure, and will and provide you with years of faithful companionship and unconditional love.

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