Are you considering adopting a cat? One thing you might not have thought about is what age of cat you would like to adopt. People often lean towards kittens because, well, they are adorable! Let’s face it, though- cats of all ages are cute! I want to remind you not to forget adults and seniors. In fact, senior cats are the most overlooked age of cats, and I believe this is due to many misconceptions people have about senior cats. In this blog post, I am going to focus on the benefits of adopting senior cats. I hope to dispel any misconceptions you might have and share with you the many benefits of adopting a senior cat. Yes, there are possible challenges, but we will talk about those and I will share how to care for your senior kitty and also give you some tips on finding just the right senior cat!
The Benefits of Adopting Senior Cats
Personality
When considering adopting a pet, one of the first things you should consider is the personality of the pet. This can be difficult when choosing a kitten because often their personalities aren’t fully established yet. When you meet a senior cat, you can learn a lot about its personality right from the start. I have two senior cats and they couldn’t be more different. One of them wants to play and get into trouble as if she were a kitten; she is very curious and brave. My other senior cat is her brother, much larger than she is and afraid of the ceiling fan, or the new box in the room… He prefers snacking to playing. Aside from their sizes, they look very much alike but are very different cats.
Energy Levels
One of my favorite traits about senior cats is that they are usually very relaxed and have lower energy. Don’t get me wrong, senior cats can still be very playful, as I mentioned, I have a very playful senior cat, but their energy level is much less chaotic than that of a kitten. Senior cats that have lived with people for many years are also more in tune with a human routine and can sleep through the night.
Training and socialization:
When it comes to training, senior cats are usually litter box trained and if the senior is an indoor cat, they are generally used to living indoors. This means that they often know to use a scratching post rather than the furniture, and they understand the many rules that come along with indoor life for a cat.
Bond Building
Senior cats often recognize that they have been saved from a shelter. They know that their person chose them and promised to care for them. Senior cats appreciate the second chance given to them and often respond (after a brief period of adjustment) by forming strong bonds with their humans.
Supporting Shelters and Rescue Organizations
One other important aspect of adopting senior cats that I should mention is that by adopting a senior cat, you are directly saving that cat’s life. Many people prefer to adopt kittens and young adult cats. By giving a senior a home, you are not only saving that cat’s life but also making room in the shelter for another cat.
Challenges of adopting senior cats
Adopting a senior cat, as with adopting any animal, will come with its own unique challenges.
Adjusting to the new environment
One challenge of adopting a senior cat is that often senior cats are used to a routine in their first home. If they have outlived their previous owner, a senior may be very stressed at the prospect of getting to know a new family and a new home. Cats are naturally territorial, and a new environment can take time for them to adjust to. With a senior cat, offering a small, isolated space is very important for the first few days to weeks. The cat will adjust and come out and explore and get to know you, but seniors do things in their own time!
Age-related health issues
Many people overlook senior cats because they worry that they will have health issues. In fact, while they may have age-related health issues, senior cats are usually quite healthy. Kittens can be very fragile, but senior cats have made it past the age of fading kitten syndrome, they’ve made it past a lot of the illnesses that young kittens are most susceptible to including Feline panleukopenia and Feline leukemia. Healthy cats can live quite a long and healthy life. The challenge with a senior cat’s health is more on ensuring that you feed a senior the right food, so they get all their nutrients without unnecessary calories. They are a little less energetic, so the more they eat, the more time you need to spend making sure they get their exercise in! Older cats can be susceptible to diabetes just like humans, so its important to monitor their nutrition. Senior cats can also begin to have aching joints, just like humans.
How to care for senior cats
Veterinary care
For senior kitties, it’s important to take your cat in for a yearly wellness checkup with the veterinarian. This can help to identify and manage any health issues. Often it’s just additional supplements or feeding adjustments that need to be made as your kitty ages. One aspect of veterinary care that is extremely important is dental care. Your vet may recommend an occasional teeth cleaning or even dental treats for your cat.
Litter Boxes
Senior kitties who begin to develop arthritis may need a litter box with a lower opening. My senior male cat has never been good at aiming within the litter box, so I have always used a litter box with some depth. This is still fine for him, but I now have one that has a lower opening so that he can get into and out of it easily. In addition to the box itself, if your cat has sensitive paws or arthritis, softer litter may be preferable for your cat. If you notice your cat starts having accidents outside the litter box, then the box itself or the type of litter may be uncomfortable for your cat- and this applies to any age! It’s also important to keep the litter box clean. As your kitty ages, you want to minimize the bacteria that they are exposed to.
Bedding
My senior kitties love to sleep on a heating pad. They do make heating pads specifically for animals that only come on when the sensor detects an animal. However, I have always just supervised the use of a regular heating pad with my cats. I don’t blame them for enjoying a heating pad—I do too! I also find that senior cats like to nap pretty much anywhere- so providing various spots for a cat nap is perfect.
Accessibility
If your cats sleep in your bed or in another higher place (since they like to perch), as they age they may need steps to help them get onto higher levels. My senior cats can jump, but sometimes I just don’t want them to feel they must, so I provide steps.
Along with adjustments to litter boxes and bedding, if you find that your cat needs it, they do sell raised food and water bowls. Mine haven’t ever needed this, but I do think it may be healthier for all cats to have raised food and water bowls.
Just make sure to monitor for any mobility changes, and adapt to the environment as needed.
Food and Water
As cats age, their thirst drive, which is naturally low for many cats, decreases. I recommend using a cat fountain. All of my cats enjoy a cat fountain. Running water encourages cats of any age to drink more water. Male cats, in particular, are prone to urinary tract illnesses as they age. Just by drinking enough water, this risk decreases significantly.
Senior cats are prone to gaining weight. It’s important to choose appropriate food for them. If they do not drink enough water, it’s important to choose a food with moisture- wet food. Some cats love it, and some cats hate it.
In addition to weight issues, senior cats may need specialized diets if they develop age-related health issues such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or kidney disease. Your vet can provide guidance on the best food for your cat.
Exercise and mental stimulation
All cats, regardless of age, need activity and mental stimulation. For senior cats, this is particularly important to help maintain muscle tone and joint flexibility. My seniors love playing with flirt pole toys, catnip toys, balls, feathers, and of course the laser pointer– all the same toys that they loved as kittens. As with any age of cat, it’s important to rotate the toys regularly, so that they don’t get bored with their toys! Seniors are often less likely than kittens to find a toy on their own, so a little encouragement from you will remind them to play and have fun! I encourage enrichment activities for all cats. You can read more about enrichment here: Feline Enrichment
Tips for finding the right senior cat
It is really not very difficult to find a senior cat. Check out shelters in your area. One place to look is petfinder.com just enter in your location and what you are looking for in a cat and viola! You can see a list of available cats in your area that match your criteria. It is very important to arrange to meet the cat before you adopt. Some shelters may be by appointment only, whereas others will allow you to drop in. If you are interested in a particular cat, I recommend calling ahead to ensure that the cat lives in the shelter and is not in a foster home. If the cat lives with a foster family, then you will need to make an appointment to meet the cat. The shelter workers should be able to tell you quite a bit about the personality of the senior cat, but keep in mind that a senior may be standoffish in a shelter but an absolute love kitty in a home environment. Shelter life is very difficult for senior cats. Be sure to be open and ask questions to the shelter staff. They know the cats and really can be an excellent resource in ensuring you are paired with the right cat for your particular needs.
As you consider adopting a cat, please remember to take your own lifestyle into consideration and talk to the shelter staff about your situation. If you have other pets, it’s important to find the right cat that can get along with your existing pets. In addition to pets, consider the environment. If you have a large, active family, you want to choose a cat that will enjoy the energy. If you want a cat that doesn’t require a lot of attention, that is important to consider, as well. Compatibility is the key to ensuring a happy, long-lasting relationship between your new cat and its new family.
Conclusion
Senior cats are wonderful companions. I love the fun of kittens, but there really is just something the calming energy of a senior cat. One of mine lived well into her twenties, and we only became closer and closer as we aged together. A shelter is really no place for a senior cat, so if you are interested in a cat- either to keep or to foster, please consider a senior. Adopting a senior is wonderfully fulfilling but also truly helps alleviate the overcrowding of shelters and rescue organizations as senior cats often spend the longest time in shelters waiting for their homes.
