There ’s a special joyousness in adopting a elderly cat and providing the comfort of a loving abode where they can live out their golden days . Unlike kittens and young adults , who have a lot of energy , senior qat tend to be calmer and less destructive . Their personality are fully mould and pet parents typically cognise what they are sign up for when adopting an aged feline .
Most elderly cats terminate up in protection through no fault of their own . They may find themselves homeless when their guardian take place away or is no longer able to manage for them due to their own wellness issue . Aging cats are often surrendered due to the family unit ’s lack of financial resources to by rights name and treatchronic diseases , or divvy up with behavioral changes associated with old age and related to ailments .
While there are several benefits to bringing home a older cat , there are also some considerations to keep in thinker . Keep read to find out what it takes to be a senior cat parent before making your determination .
When Does an Adult Cat Become a Senior Cat?
Catsover the old age of 10are considered seniors . Because a well - cared - for indoor cat can live to be more than 15 years honest-to-goodness , chances are you have many years with your senior puss , depending on when you adopt them .
Your furry ally ’s lifespan may also depend on the breed , but there is no authoritative study proving this . Dr. Kelly Diehl , elderly director of science communicating at Morris Animal Foundation , refers to a late study looking at policy data that hint that purebred cats have more disease - related problem than mixed breed cats ( 1 ) . Morris Animal Foundation , based in Denver , is a non-profit-making beast health research system elevate the wellness of animals .
accord to Dr. Amber Carter , owner and veterinary at the cat - onlyCat Care Clinicin Ormond Beach , Florida , mixed breed or domestic little / intermediate / long hairy cats tend to live longer . However , when it comes to purebreds , “ some believe thatSiameseand Burmese hold out longer . ”
Benefits of Senior Cat Adoption
If you are unforced to spread out your heart and place to a senior cat-o'-nine-tails , there are many rewards to reap .
Choosing a senior true cat means you will be giving a cat who is often overlooked at the shelter a chance at a happy biography and a well-to-do base during the last stage of their life story .
“ Many multitude who ’ve adopt older cats ( and my mom lately fall in this category ) get a pot of satisfaction from the feeling of allow for a estimable home plate for the stay years of an old cat ’s life , ” Diehl says . In turn , the furred feline will provide you with plenty of purrs and cuddle .
Unlike kitten , senior cats typically come cultivate to employ the litter box and have sex how to use scratching posts and/or cat trees . The big welfare is that they tend not to scratch up your article of furniture . With an older cat , you ’re also more potential to know whether they get along with dogs and kids before bringing the cat home base .
Senior cats run to be more relaxed than gumptious kitten who need a slew of aid and input . Mature cats are also “ less probable to eat thing they are not supposed to , ” Carter says .
This , of form , does n’t mean mature cat do n’t require basic aid . “ Senior cats still need attending and human interaction to keep mentally and physically stimulated , ” Carter says .
9 Things You Should Know Before Adopting a Senior Cat
As screw and cuddly as aged cats can be , there are some thing to consider before adopt one . Keep take to find out if you and your syndicate are ready for the responsibility of an age felid .
More Mellow
If you are seeking a lively pot who is up to some prank , a senior cat is not the right choice . Older cats run to be less playful and combat-ready than young cats . “ A senior may not be the best fit if you are looking for an up-and-coming quat that you’re able to play with all day long , ” Carter tell .
to boot , since mature cats are calm , a star sign full of young kids or barking dogs may not be the right surroundings . “ This may be nerve-wracking for a older cat , depend on their background , ” Carter adds .
Appreciate a Routine
If you ’ve ever try change your cat ’s diet , you already recognise the difficultness of that project . Senior cats may be set in their ways . They may favor a sure type of food and bedding . Carter state this is not needs an indication that they will never exchange . It just takes more clip and patience .
Evolving Health Care Needs
As pets age , they tend to face aesculapian trouble . best-loved parent need to be prepared — financially , emotionally , and practically — for any potential wellness issues , Diehl says . “ The sad fact is that many older cats are relinquished to shelters because they have a chronic malady , ” she adds . In some cases , underlying wellness conditions may not come to lighter until after adoption .
grant to Diehl , aging cats are more likely to stomach fromdiabetes , heart disease , hyperthyroidism , chronickidney disease , orarthritis . The two most common problems in quat over the historic period of 10 are arthritis andcognitive decline , which are manageable but not curable . Another usual wellness issue isdental disease , which can cause them pain and fuss chew their solid food .
Although many shelter and rescue chemical group discover any health issues ( roll in the hay to them ) before adoption , there is still no style of eff what your new pet may encounter in the years to come . The time to come does n’t have to be bleak though , say Diehl , as many of these conditions are treatable or manageable . However , preferent parent should call that they may need to give their fourth-year cat-o'-nine-tails day-to-day medications or prey them more expensive prescription diet .
More Frequent Vet Visits
It ’s important to take your fourth-year Arabian tea to have a physical examination at least twice a yr ; this necessitate rakehell work , checking blood pressure , and testing tie in to health conditions , Carter says . If your veterinarian uncovers underlie health conditions , your African tea may require more frequent veterinary care .
Help with Grooming
Your older cat may not be neaten themselves as much as they get honest-to-goodness , which means they ask regular brush and nail trim to foreclose ingrown and long ( dreadful ) nail . Regular brush will avoid hair matting , hairballs , and skin odor and will help your cat have a glossy , healthy coating .
Change in Bathroom Habits
While one of the welfare of adopting a senior cat is the fact that they come housetrained , they may have trouble controlling their john habits as they get older , especially if they are diabetic or have arthritis . They may also have difficultness finding the litter box because of cognitive disfunction .
Mobility Issues
One of the most unwashed issue older cat face is degenerative joint disease or arthritis . Signs of arthritis let in hesitating before jumping or being ineffectual to jump-start up to eminent perches they once reached with ease , Carter says . They may even have problem getting in and out of the litter box .
Luckily , arthritis is doable . “ We have many choice , everything from unwritten pain medication to monthly monoclonal antibody injections ( such as Solensia by Zoetis ) to joint add-on in the form of treats , ” Carter say . While there ’s no remedy for arthritis , intervention can help these cats preserve a good quality of life .
Value Their Own Space
If you have other cats or dogs , do n’t lease that dissuade you from adopt a older cat . The paint to successfully mix your young ducky into the household is slow introduce them to the current residents . But first , Carter advocate you ’ll ask to ensure that the senior cat has their own way or distance , with access to food , body of water , and a bedding box , away from the other pets .
In an ideal world , they will all come to get along and love one another , but be prepared to give your senior positron emission tomography a space of their own if the other PET are n’t so welcoming of your fresh addition . Keep your senior computed tomography away from kitten who may want to bring all the sentence .
Less Time to Spend Together
When bringing home an older quat , it ’s important to recognize that you may not have as much time with them as you would care . While some seniors can hold up for many more year , there is a prospect your qat may have a shortened life bridge , depending on any underlying conditions . Additionally , you may not know your cat ’s exact age , unless the former owner let on this entropy . Pet parent of quondam cats also need to be mentally and financially prepared to make goal - of - life decisions for the pet .
Where to Find Senior Cats for Adoption
If you have decided to welcome a senior cat into your household , there are several ways to find one . First , correspond with your local shelter or a rescue . There are certain to be cat waiting for loving dwelling house . Most likely , these pets will also be listed on borrowing land site like Petfinder.com . Be certain to pay a sojourn to your local shelter to meet any potential adoptees in person to get to know them , but know that they may be diffident or skittish at first .
Secondly , seek out senior - focused cat delivery groups or any groups that specialize in rehoming senior pets in your area . For exemplar , North Shore Animal League on Long Island , New York , offers aSeniors for Seniorsoption , helping place older pets with senior citizens .
Lastly , if you would like to adopt a senior cat-o'-nine-tails , but likely future veteran bills are stopping you from doing so , consider joining a shelter ’s Fospice Program , a foster hospice program that let elderly true cat inhabit out their last solar day in the comforter of the home . When bringing in a Arabian tea under the fospice program , the rescue will devote for any aesculapian needs .
“ The purpose of the fospice program is to commit senior fauna or animals that might not have long to live in homes where they can hold out the rest of their Day being get laid and cared for instead of in a John Milton Cage Jr. , ” says Rena Sherman , cat adoption counselor atPosh Pets Rescuein Long Beach , New York . “ Qualified home for fourth-year or medical pets sometimes is a senior home , but it can be anyone willing to open their home to an animal with special needs ( medical , historic period , etc . ) for the remnant of their lives . ”
How to Prepare Your Home for a Senior Cat
Once you ’ve see the perfect senior bozo for your kinsfolk , it ’s fourth dimension to prepare your home for a warm welcome . Here are some tips for having a smooth changeover and providing a prosperous spotlight for your young fluffy Quaker .