Most of the time, potential new cat owners are usually most interested in adopting a kitten, and of course, it’s not hard to see why. Yes, kittens are literal fluff balls of pure love and angel kisses, but older cats can be just as precious. In fact, if you are adopting senior babies (yes, senior babies) can prove to be quite the diamonds in the rough. If you’re in the market for a new family member, take a moment to consider adopting a full-grown honeybun. There are a lot of benefits, and soon you’ll see why.
Euthanasia Rate
Adopting an older shelter cat is an important decision that will have a major impact on that cat’s life, and yours. Unfortunately, because older cats are so often looked over in shelters, they are the first to be put down. Many times, these sweet little bundles of love are euthanized for no reason other than the reality that there is not enough space to keep them. That means that every year, of the 1.4 million cats that are put down, a heartbreaking number of those sweet beans are perfectly viable adoptees.
On top of that, the older a cat is, the more likely they are to be euthanized. For these poor homeless babies, age is a big factor in their survival rate, and the clock ticks faster the older they become. As such, adopting an older cat will literally mean you are saving a life. Go you!
Understanding Your Senior Kitty
While adopting an older cat is super duper cool of you, it is a big commitment that should not be taken lightly. If you do decide to be an elder cat-saving rockstar, there are some things you need to know. But don’t worry, with the right guidance, you may find that bringing a senior cat home is the perfect choice for you!
First of all, you need to make sure that you and your potential new baby are a good match. Get everything you need to know from the shelter regarding the cat’s health history, temperament, and any other points of concern that will impact your decision. For instance, do you have any other pets? Will this cat interact well with those pets? Do you have young children, and do they know how to interact with an older cat? Does the cat have any transferable diseases such as FIV that could put your other cats (if you have any), at risk? These are all questions that you should ask no matter what type of pet you’re looking to adopt, regardless of age, but they are especially important when you are looking to adopt a senior cat. This is because older cats are more “set in their ways”, as it were, and can be more difficult to assimilate to their new surroundings.
Making Preparations
Because older cats already have their preferences and a personality that is all their own, making the according accommodations are extremely important in order to ensure a seamless transition from life in a shelter to life in your home. If you’ve already chosen a senior kitty and you’re ready to take him or her home with you, make sure everything is prepared properly. Litter box? Check. Toys? Cat tree? Bed and blankets? Check, check, check.
When the big day comes, bring your sweet pea into an empty room filled with food, water, a litter box, bed, and toys. If you have any other pets, make sure that they are not in the room with you. This empty space will be exclusively for your new kitty for a few days, until she properly adjusts to her new location. If she has any litter box issues during this time, remember – patience is key. Moving can be very stressful for older cats, and a new environment, no matter how comfortable and inviting it may be, is still a major change that will take your new kitty some time to get used to. This is true for all new pets, but it is especially so for older cats, so be prepared for that. If you want to really play it safe, you can invest in some puppy pads to scatter about the room if your new baby has any accidents.
During this time, it is very important that you spend as much time as you can with her. Let her get used to your scent and become more and more comfortable interacting with you. Establishing a bond with your older cat as soon as possible is paramount in creating a healthy relationship. Remember, she’s spent a lot of time either in a cage, on the streets, or in a home that she eventually had to be taken from for whatever reason, so she may be a little distrustful at first. But with a little forbearance and a lot of love, your baby can grow close to you!
Old Cat, New Life
After a few days, leave the door to your new cats room open. If you have any other pets, this will allow them to meet each other for the first time, on their own terms, in a way that makes them feel secure. If not, this will offer your elder kitty an opportunity to explore and get situated. Once she gets used to your house she will slowly start to come out of her shell and show you what an amazing companion she can be. This may take a while, and the older the cat, the more patience you will need, but it’s all worth it!
All-in-all, adopting any new pet into your family is a big decision. As such, you should make sure that you are up to the task of meeting the need of your new baby bean, no matter how old they are. Adopting a kitten is great! But you may find that adopting an older cat can be just as rewarding. Plus, in doing so, you may be saving the life of a very special soul who, with a little effort and patience, will grow to love you just as much as any kitten can!
