- Jan
- 14
Adopting Senior Cats
Posted by Kerry Anderlik at 5:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)
Most of the people I know already have a houseful of cats and are maxed out on the number of cats they can care for. I also know people who love cats, but they only have one cat because they are afraid that their older cat ”hates other cats.”
If you have been considering adopting another cat to keep your cat company, now might be the perfect time. People have been hit so hard in the economic crisis that many can no longer care for their animals and are turning them in to animal shelters in record numbers. Many of these cats have been raised around other cats and dogs, so integrating them into your home may be easier than you think.
Adopting an older cat as a companion for another older cat can be challenging, but the key is to introduce them slowly. I always start my new adoptees out in my office/spare bedroom with the door shut. I make sure there are several litter boxes, plenty of food, a water bowl, toys, and climbing trees. I keep my new cat confined in the room for at least three days, and I keep all the other animals out until my new kitty gets accustomed to the litter box, food, and water and finds his or her own safe spot to venture out from. During this time, I visit often, and the rest of my animals often hover around outside the door, full of curiosity, but I don’t allow any actual contact.
Once my kitty starts hovering around the door and showing interest in escaping, I crack the door with a latch that lets cats in and out but keeps dogs out. You can also try to open the door but keep a screen or other clear partition between the two rooms. I let my new cat choose his or her own timeline for coming out to join the rest of the family. Some cats choose to come out immediately. Other cats choose to stay in the room for several weeks, only occasionally coming out to explore and then running back into their safe room at the sight or sound of the other animals. Often, the actual meeting is anti-climatic. They touch noses and walk away. Other times, it can be quite vocal, with hissing and stalking until one or the other backs off. I have often been surprised to find that cats who barely tolerated each other at first eventually teamed up and took over one of the dog beds!
We baby boomers are lucky to have grown up during better economic times, and many of us have retired or are soon to retire. I can’t think of a better way to enjoy this time of life than by sharing it with older animals who might otherwise not find good homes. If you have only one cat, consider if you might have room in your home and in your heart for a senior cat companion. And check out HelpingAnimals.com for other great tips for raising happy, healthy cats.
Posted to Family & Friends | Posted to Tags: adopting, Cats, rescue, seniors
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Laura says...
January 15th, 2009, 4:02 pm
Hi Kerry,
It breaks my heart when an older animal, cat or otherwise, has been discarded for one reason or another. I hope your blog inspires many to open their homes to those animals. Their golden years should not be spent behind the bars of an animal shelter or being euthanized in a cold room with strangers. With a little extra patience and lots of love, it isn’t difficult to introduce a new furry family member into your home. Especially cats. All they really want to do is sleep when they are older, and once they are used to each other, you will simply have old, very contented, snoring cats, quite possibly curled up together. How purrrrfect is that!
Cory says...
January 16th, 2009, 3:20 pm
We adopted a senior dog. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. He was only with us for a year and a half, but he changed our lives forever. We have since adopted another senior dog and are also fostering one. Senior pets really have a lot to offer and in many respects can be a lot less effort than younger ones. They are so often overlooked by pet-seekers, so by taking one in you really are doing a great thing.
Toni says...
January 16th, 2009, 3:52 pm
Hi,
I use to work at a factory & feed all the stray cats. They all got sterilized and all returned BUT there was one kittie, Thandi who was an old kittie & when she got sick I felt really sorry for her & decided she needed a good retirement home with me, she was 13 at the time. I already had 4 other cats but thought one more would be fine. Because Thandi is deaf & slightly blind she was easy to care for as all she wanted was a warm bed, fresh water & good food. She minded her own business. When I did introduce her to the other cats to my horror they all got snuffles and my vet bill went through the roof ! So just be careful when introducing a new cat to the other family members, get your vets advise first !
Thandi is now 15 going on 16, she was diagnosed with Kidney failure in November. I didn’t realise how attached I got to her or what an important part of the family she has become, she is such a honey & seeing her so sick breaks my heart but I am doing my best to keep her comfortable until the time comes for us to part ways ….. She is an amazing little cat who just wants love ! If I had to do it all again, I would in a heart beat. Adopting an older cat is worth it, most of them just want to be loved, I highly recommend it ! The only down side is that you will get attached & your time with them is not that long so you will get your heart broken …. BUT again, it’s a journey worth taking …..
Patricia says...
January 16th, 2009, 3:57 pm
Hi Kerry,
I strongly encourage people to consider an older cat for adoption. I would like to add that owners of older pets should not be too afraid to introduce a new animal. I recently lost one of my elderly cats to cancer. Rupert was 12 years old and is survived by Alfie 14 years and Nikita 13 years. Alfie was missing Rupert as they were best buddies. The local paper runs a pet adoption column and was looking for a home for a 7 month old kitten. I was concerned about introducing a kitten to older cats but I decided to give it a try and adopted Mishka. To my surprise the older cats quickly adjusted to Mishka’s antics and now they are best of friends. Some of Mishka’s youthful exuberance has rubbed off on them. Both of my older cats have lost weight and are more active thanks to Mishka!
Sharon Balzano says...
January 16th, 2009, 5:01 pm
I have adopted several cats 4 years old, or older. It does take more patience to introduce them than it would a kitten. They have lived in another home, & now they are in a strange place. They do get along with each other, & the dog, although, 1 cat would really like it if the dog moved out!
One thing I have done is wrap the new cat up in a towel, & carry him all over the house so he can see everything, & all the cats & dog can see him too. Then when he does come out of isolation, he is a little familiar with the surroundings.
I wish everyone would get at least one adult cat instead of going for the kittens. They still have a lot of love to give.
sharon havener says...
January 16th, 2009, 5:17 pm
I WORK AT AN ASSISTED LIVING CARE CENTER IN FLORIDA.I HAVE NOTICED THE RESIDENCE WHO HAVE A CAT OR DOG SEEM TO HAVE A MORE POSSITIVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE.THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO “LIVE FOR”.THIS MAKES ME TRY TO ENCOURAGE THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE “THINKING” OF GETTING AN ANIMAL TO SHARE YOUR LIFE WITH –TO GO AHEAD AND DO IT—IT IS GOING TO BENIFIT–BOTH –YOU AND THE LUCY ANIMAL YOU DECIDE TO ADOPT….
sandra says...
January 16th, 2009, 6:35 pm
hi kerry, we have 5 cats in our house we did have 6 but i lost my 16yr old cat late last year.we have recently taken in one of 2 cats which were both going to be put to sleep as a baby had arrived on the scene.these 2 brothers were jealous of the baby and had starting fighting and spraying each other and the baby.i was advised not to take the aggressive one, he went into a foster home. i must admit it is quite stressful we have kept him separate and intoduced him slowly to the other cats, he insists on chasing 2 of the females who keep hissing at him, i hope it will get better as he is starting to settle in now, these 2 are frightened of him. we keep them separated while at work and at night. any advise would be appreciated.
angelina says...
January 16th, 2009, 11:24 pm
i love the fact that older cats can find homes. Beause usually you see the kittens at either the shelter or the pet store and most people go for them and forget about the older or fully grown cats in all the other cages. So yeah ummm… though i cant adobt now i for sure will adopt when i get a house of my own. Because not only do i love cats but i love to help out to the unfortunate animals out there in the world. Also if anyone who is reading this grey hounds rescuing is a great way to also help out to the unfortunate animals out there. Remember all aniamls need our love, help, and generosity.
Holly Bianchi says...
January 17th, 2009, 12:20 pm
Adopting an older cat or dog is wonderful. I adopted three older cats and an older dog. It was the best thing I could have done. They need the home and they are often overlooked. Adopt an older animal!
Cherry Marrone says...
June 5th, 2009, 8:58 pm
For the past 10 years or so I have devoted myself to adopting senior dogs through Petfinders. I usually have at least two, right now I have three. The down side is sometimes you don’t have them for long but I always feel that, even if I have them for a year or so, they will end their days in comfort, warmth, with lots of love and good food and pass painlessly. Seniors make wonderful pets…they are loving, way over chewing everything in sight, usually housebroken and ask very little except love and kindness. This is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done and I love every one of my little old kids…..
liz oneill says...
November 5th, 2009, 7:31 pm
i adopted a 10 year old cat from the humane society this summer and she is a wonderful additon to my family. i am 27 and most people my age want kittens, but i think id rather have an older cat. they are kinder, and have more of a developed personality..
i totally think that people should adopt a senior animal..