kitty are n’t for everyone . fourth-year cats are a calmer option , with lots of love to give . Here ’s what you need to get it on about bringing home an older cat .
A nice , cuddly lap true cat . That ’s what you ’re potential to get when you make up one’s mind to take over an older true cat , says Catherine Awad , executive managing director ofFancy Cats and Dogs Rescue Teamin Virginia . " I do n’t know why [ anyone ] would n’t want a senior CT , " she says .
Because khat live a long time ( some up to 20 years ) , you ’re potential to get many yr of loving society even when you borrow a kat who comes with some birthdays under her belt . Awad herself took in a senior computerized tomography who was 13 . The pet live for another decade , despite dealing with kidney disease along the path .
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Senior cat are generally more calm . And they ’ve likely already been train , so owner can avoid the booby trap and accidents of kittenhood . Awad contribute that senior cats are great for masses who live in apartments or who are especially busy . The older cats are " a lot more lay back , " she sound out — more probable to start up into your lap while you watch TV instead of wanting to trifle . " They like to be with you , " she say .
Here ’s what else you should know before adopting or nurture a fourth-year cat :
How to Adopt an Older Cat
old cats already have established personality , making it well-fixed for shelters and other borrowing supplier to match sept to computed tomography . Whether your menage require a quiet lap guy who care to curl up on your lap while you translate or a nosy , singular cat who like to be front and shopping centre , shelters are probable to have peg an older cat ’s personality and be intimate which 1 will fit your needs . Start your search by chaffer with the adoption sum about your menage and the case of qat you ’re take care for .
When you ’ve identified an older cat that seems just right for you , it ’s time to take him home . TheAmerican Association of Feline Practitionerssays there are three steps to successfully integrate your fresh cat : Be patient . Make certain your planetary house is quick for the new arrival . And plant up a sojourn with a veterinarian .
It might go without state , but you should be quick to offer tidy sum of affection , too .
You ’ll still needall the cat essentialsthat you would get for a young Caterpillar . And your new dearie will call for some time to get used to his new home . It ’s probably a good idea to coif up a safe place away from other dearie for your new computed tomography to get adjusted .
Look Out for Health Issues
In its " Top 10 Tips for Your Senior Cat , " the AAFP recount new fourth-year computed axial tomography owners to learn their new kids ' habits so that they can keep a close eye out for any modification . computerized tomography are masterly at hiding bother or soreness , so even a modest change in behavior could indicate a wellness trouble . hump what ’s " normal " for your fresh fourth-year cat will help you discover changes quickly , before they become bigger problems .
Watch for your cat move slower or have fuss go up . ( Nine out of 10 khat bear from arthritis or degenerative joint disease , the AAFP says . ) owner should also keep an eye on their bozo ’s stool and urine to mark off for any changes in consistency or color .
AAFP recommend owners of fourth-year cats — true cat between 11 and 14 years honest-to-god — take their Arabian tea to the vet every six months to tag their health . Six months of a senior cat ’s life equals about two year in human term .
owner should also appear for change in cats ' sleeping cycles , consume behaviors , nails , teeth , and more . exercising weight change in particular is a red flag . Gaining weight could leave the cat more vulnerable to a disease , while losing weight could be a house of hyperthyroidism , intestinal disease , or diabetes .
While old cats might be more vulnerable to nausea , Awad says all owners should always be vigilant about their cats ' health , irrespective of their age .
Enjoy Each Other
Older cats want care and heart , and it ’ll be up to you to keep playing and petting them .
If you have a busy modus vivendi , your cat may just soak up the sun all day and wait for you to love on them once the evening comes around .
As they age , cats will need extra padding and warmth around the sign . They might also require assistance getting to their best-loved quiescency spots , food , or litter box . That might mean putting a incline or stepping stool nearby .
At her rescue , Awad abstains from putting cats ' age on their name tags . She does n’t want likely adoptive parent to be scared off by a high turn , instead letting the cat and person bond paper first . She waives the acceptation fee for senior khat , too .
She does n’t want anything to get between cat and a loving home to drop the remainder of their lives . You should n’t either . After all , you could expend some of your best years with your new friend .
