Siamese Kitten or Adult Cat? Move over kids, bring on the golden agers

Should you get a kitten or adult cat? When we think of adding to the family, kittens rather than full grown cats usually first come to mind.

But kittens aren't for everyone. They can do a huge amount of damage to your furnishings when they have those mad 'half hours'.

At times it may look like they have sticky paws - when they hurl themselves over sofas and walls they appear to defy gravity. Don't be fooled - claws are what allow them to do this. Leather or leather look furniture doesn't stand a chance. And I won't even mention silk, satin or anything smooth.

So be prepared to cover your furniture with thick throws for quite some time. Then schedule more time playing, teaching and reassuring your new little fluff ball.

Now the older cat has outgrown 'the crazies' and hopefully calmed down. You'll spend your time playing and cuddling and with any luck, if your cat is allowed into your bedroom, it will settle down at bedtime and not keep you up all night. You might still have to train your older cat in bedtime etiquette though. Some will not resist a foot moving under the covers and may think they can wake you at any time for cuddles.

Kittens also need several quality meals a day, and they can and will get themselves into all kinds of mischief. Some of their antics can lead to real danger, like chewing electric cables, falling off things and sampling your indoor plants. So are you convinced yet on choosing a kitten or adult cat?

So how can you get one of these desirable older beasts? Often the same place as kittens. Breeders sometimes have older cats available. Perhaps the cats didn't like the show ring, or they proved to have problems breeding.

Or a breeder may be cutting back or closing down, with lovely older cats needing a home.

Then there are the Siamese cat rescues for pedigree and part pedigree cats. These cats have probably been fostered before being placed so unlike the gamble of a kitten you will be told all about their habits and needs. The rescue will tell you the good and the bad because they don't want the poor cat to be returned to them and suffer more emotional upset.

Cats can also be advertised in cat magazines, newspapers, your local shop and of course the internet.

Often, much older cats need homes. They will need more vet care and can be expensive to keep healthy. The elderly cat will often demand more of your time when it comes to things like keeping them clean, claw trimming, and wiping eyes and yes, sometimes bottoms!

If you don't have the time or are squeamish then an older cat might not be for you - at least not yet. An older cat will also sleep more and eat more often - in smaller quantities. You will nonetheless really enjoy your time together and because it is limited it may seem all the more special. The feel good factor of taking on an elderly Siamese is huge.

I hope this has answered some of your questions on whether to choose a kitten or adult cat.

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