Young kittens are beyond cute, but there's responsibility in their raising

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 an older kitten or adult cat. Rearing translates into many more hours of time and patience. Choosing a pet that suits your lifestyle is a difficult decision, not without sacrifice. The sacrifices should be made by us, rather than at the expense of the animal; we need to recognize our limitations. The fragile size of the younger, smaller kitten can also become an issue if the household has a significant amount of foot traffic from children and visitors. It is easy to accidentally step on a kitten as it darts across a room, unexpectedly, from its secret hiding place. A young kitten's favorite hiding places often put them in 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 the dryer, say, 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 device. 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 into dangerous places, usually their increased size precludes them from serious harm. A cat is a kitten until it reaches 1 year old. A kitten 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 starting to adjust to the added limb length, the additional weight, and larger paws. The kitten delights in each discovery it learns about itself and its increased size. Often time, 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 that "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 Buddy's larger kitten or young cats, please call The Buddy Foundation at (847) 290-5806.

• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is a volunteer nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization, with all funds directly assisting its animals. For information, visit thebuddyfoundation.org or call (847) 290-5806