Older kittens have just as much spunk as their smaller counterparts
Who can resist the charm, antics and cuddliness of a kitten that is between 2 and 3 months old? Even people who do not share their lives with a companion animal cannot deny the irresistibility of a tiny kitten.
A younger kitten, though adorable, may not suit the needs of a particular household for numerous reasons.
Training and supervision of a smaller kitten is a much more rigorous task compared to teaching a larger kitten or adult cat. This translates into many more hours of time and patience.
Choosing a pet that suits your lifestyle is a difficult decision, not without sacrifice. The sacrifice should be made by us rather than at the expense of the animal - we need to recognize our limitations.
The fragile size of the smaller kitten can also become an issue if the household has a good amount of foot traffic from children and visitors. It is easy to accidentally step on a kitten as it unexpectedly darts across a room.
A young kitten's favorite hiding places often put them in constant peril. Their small size allows them access to danger from behind the washer, dryer, refrigerator and other appliances. If there is a gap between the wall and an appliance, a kitten will find it and either crawl up into the motor area of the machine or will be tempted to chew on the coils behind the machine.
Suddenly, we are alerted to the kitten's plight by high pitched meows of terror.
All of these perils are minimized with a larger kitten or cat. As curious as they are, and as hard as they try to crawl behind dangerous places, usually their increased size precludes them from serious harm. They simply no longer fit in a lot of the notorious dangerous places.
Please consult with your veterinarian regarding the definition of a kitten. A kitten is loosely defined as a young cat younger than 12 months. A kitten at 7 months old plays just as readily as a kitten 3 months old, but with several advantages. An older kitten has begun the fine-tuning process of perfecting playing skills.
The play is amusing for the spectator at this age because the kitten is just beginning to adjust to the added limb length, the additional weight and larger paws. The kitten delights in each new discovery it learns about itself and its increased size. Often times at this stage of growth, the jumping and playing are miscalculated, which adds to the entertainment appeal. An older kitten's personality shines through this clumsy, learning playtime.
An additional advantage to adopting an older kitten is knowing, what you see is what you get. You don't have to wait to learn your kitten's personality or disposition and hope for the best.
A tiny kitten will always have a home. Won't you consider adopting an older kitten that will be just as playful, cuddly, loving and entertaining as its smaller counterpart? If you are interested in one of our larger kittens or young cats, call The Buddy Foundation at (847) 290-5806.
Rummage sale: The Buddy Foundation flea Market-Rummage Sale will take place from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, June 12, and Friday, June 13, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, June 14, and Sunday, June 15, at 81 W. Golf Road, Arlington Heights.
All clothing is clean and in good condition. There also will be glassware, jewelry, baby items, furniture, tools, small appliances, linens, sports equipment, exercise equipment, books, children's toys, CDs and videos.
• The Buddy Foundation is a nonprofit (501c3), all-volunteer, no-kill animal shelter dedicated to the welfare of stray, abused and abandoned cats and dogs. For more information, call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.