OK...so..with my ongoing saga of dealing with Ashie dying and finding another cat (when Ashie finds "the one" for me!!
)......I've come to another confusing issue that I need some opinions on!!
I had always ALWAYS believed I would adopt an adult cat over a kitten since they are not as easily adopted out (kittens can go like crazy). But now that I've looked at many cats/kittens, I'm starting to wondering about some things.
I knew Ashie really well....and I knew she wouldn't bother any child...she was just sooo laid back. Granted, it took her some time to 'get used' to our daughter when she was born, she never once coward, hissed, etc. My mother's cat, on the other hand, is from hell when it comes to my kids. She stays away and generally hides upon kid-entry into the house, but there are times when my daughter finds her and the cat has hissed and batted at her.
I don't want that. It isn't fair to my kids and it certainly isn't fair to the cat.
I know that a kitten would probably be much much better for this situation, but I am terrified of that, too. It has been soooo long since I've had a kitten I've forgotten so many things. And not just that, but there are so many small areas I would be afraid a kitten could get into and I wouldn't be able to find it. Our upstairs attic closets...the basement (icky basement, at that...)...things like that. And yes, an adult could do the same, but I don't think they are AS apt to try and do things . But...again...kittens DO go fast and I KNOW they will get homes.....and part of me really thinks I should go the adult route for many reasons.
Then the adult thing. Spending time with them at the shelter really gives me time to see how they are and all that great stuff....ESPECIALLY how they have the cats set up now (most can run free in their cat room area). Some are clearly marked whether or not they are good with kids or not...others have a question mark. I thought about just taking my daughter back to the shelter with me so she could interact with them and they could with her and we could see, but then that is only for a limited time and then I could get home and have a cat from HELL.
Then...male or female??? I've never had a male cat....ever. And I've heard that even if they are "fixed", they can still spray. I can't have that, either....that would be badddddddddddddddddd. And would an adult be ok with the scents that Ashie may left around the house??? Just normal scents from rubbing up against something?? And of course, we have to think about age. I only had 8 years with Ashie because she was older when I got her....and while that wouldn't have mattered in the past (and shouldn't now, I guess), I am terrified of losing another so soon. And yes, I know it could happen with a kitten, too...but maybe less chances?
UGH. So many things to think about.
Any insight? Any thoughts?
I had always ALWAYS believed I would adopt an adult cat over a kitten since they are not as easily adopted out (kittens can go like crazy). But now that I've looked at many cats/kittens, I'm starting to wondering about some things.
I knew Ashie really well....and I knew she wouldn't bother any child...she was just sooo laid back. Granted, it took her some time to 'get used' to our daughter when she was born, she never once coward, hissed, etc. My mother's cat, on the other hand, is from hell when it comes to my kids. She stays away and generally hides upon kid-entry into the house, but there are times when my daughter finds her and the cat has hissed and batted at her.
I don't want that. It isn't fair to my kids and it certainly isn't fair to the cat.
I know that a kitten would probably be much much better for this situation, but I am terrified of that, too. It has been soooo long since I've had a kitten I've forgotten so many things. And not just that, but there are so many small areas I would be afraid a kitten could get into and I wouldn't be able to find it. Our upstairs attic closets...the basement (icky basement, at that...)...things like that. And yes, an adult could do the same, but I don't think they are AS apt to try and do things . But...again...kittens DO go fast and I KNOW they will get homes.....and part of me really thinks I should go the adult route for many reasons.
Then the adult thing. Spending time with them at the shelter really gives me time to see how they are and all that great stuff....ESPECIALLY how they have the cats set up now (most can run free in their cat room area). Some are clearly marked whether or not they are good with kids or not...others have a question mark. I thought about just taking my daughter back to the shelter with me so she could interact with them and they could with her and we could see, but then that is only for a limited time and then I could get home and have a cat from HELL.
Then...male or female??? I've never had a male cat....ever. And I've heard that even if they are "fixed", they can still spray. I can't have that, either....that would be badddddddddddddddddd. And would an adult be ok with the scents that Ashie may left around the house??? Just normal scents from rubbing up against something?? And of course, we have to think about age. I only had 8 years with Ashie because she was older when I got her....and while that wouldn't have mattered in the past (and shouldn't now, I guess), I am terrified of losing another so soon. And yes, I know it could happen with a kitten, too...but maybe less chances?
UGH. So many things to think about.
Any insight? Any thoughts?