AD | “Did you know that across the UK six times as many kittens are being adopted instead of older cats?” Now there’s an opening line to make me stop scrolling and click to read more. Partly because I just don’t understand why anyone would be against adopting an older cat. We’ve always had older cats in our family. Some we’ve had from kittens (Jester and Maha), others we’ve taken on because no-one else wanted them (Lily and Ginger). So today I want to share why, when there are so many older cats needing homes, considering older cats for adoption is one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.
Contents
The Benefits to Adopting an Older Cat vs. a Kitten
It’s true that kittens are super cute and, yes, we’ve had our fair share of them (Jester was the most ADORABLE little boy, as were Spooky and Buzz). But holding out for a kitten means that older cats, senior cats, elderly cats, however you choose to label them, will spend up to six times as long in care while the youngsters are scooped up. And yet, the senior citizens are among the most deserving, and most rewarding, of rescues. Here are some of the top benefits you’ll enjoy:
Old cats tend to stay closer to home
So, if you’re looking for plenty of snuggles and a furry hot water bottle every night, they’ll make a great companion.
Kittens need a LOT of care and attention
Which may be fine if you work from home, but not if you’re going to be out for most of the day. Old cats are much more relaxed about being left alone for few hours. To be honest, based our our experiences, they relish the peace and quiet to snooze the hours away – practising self-care in best feline fashion. And they’re more amenable to being used in blog photos too…
Generally speaking, older cats are calmer
They got all the curtain-climbing, furniture-scratching, wall of death enactments out of their system years ago. Although, they’re not averse to a spot of tree climbing to keep a beady eye on their territory.
Senior cats fit in better to families
Older cats in particular are much more accepting of small children. Whereas a kitten is likely to react adversely to any attempts to eat their tail, older cats can – and do – gloss over such indignities.
Old cats make better playmates
They seem to be far more tolerant of being hauled around and plonked down wherever it suits the child. Or maybe that was just our beloved old boy, Jester…
Taking on an older cat doesn’t mean a shorter life span
Improvements in cat care have greatly raised the quality and life expectancy of many moggies, who now live well into their late teens, and even early 20s, in good health.
You’ll have a friend for life
Because you’ll be giving an older cat the chance to live out their days in a warm, loving home instead of in a pen or, worse be put to sleep.
What should I expect after adopting an older cat?
Unsurprisingly, when you take on an older cat, things begin to slide in much the same way as with an older person. Cats Protection has a wealth of information and advice on caring for elderly cats who aren’t yet over the hill. And here are a few pointers to look out for as your senior companion ages:
- activity levels decrease and muscle tone reduces – make sure you have lots of low-level sleep spaces for them to choose from
- appetite and/or fluid intake may change – they may start drinking more and need a senior cat food designed for their changing nutritional needs
- toileting needs change – you may need to incorporate a couple of litter trays around the house, one upstairs and one downstairs
- vision and/or hearing may become less effective – although Jester, Lily, and Maha could all hear a can being opened from three miles away
- coat condition may deteriorate – they may need help with some gentle grooming
- microchips – older cats may get lost or go missing, so microchipping your cat will improve your chances of being reunited
- insurance – please do insure your cat because vets’ bills can and do increase for older cats (unfair but true)
- age-associated disorders may develop, such as arthritis, diabetes, hyperthyroidism or kidney failure
- psychological and behavioural changes can occur, such as dementia/senility, increased dependence, or excessive vocalisation (mega yowling)
Our experiences with older cats
Lily, Maha, and Jester all became quite arthritic and stiff as they grew older. If you find your senior cat develops similar symptoms, then you could consider some joint medicine for cats to help with those painful swollen joints. Although obviously please do consult your vet first. And they all suffered from dementia in their last few years with us too. I wish I’d seen Britt’s pet-focused blog and her great post on coping with cat dementia sooner. But by understanding your cat’s changing needs, you can make sure they’re comfortable and free from pain in their twilight years.
Where can I adopt an older cat?
With the exception of Ginger, who adopted us, in recent years we’ve adopted all our cats from our local Cats Protection. Including our newest rescue, Loki, whom you may have seen on my Instagram. Cat rehoming charities are a great place to look for older cats needing adoption. And we like to support the cats who tend to get left on the shelf, through no fault of their own. For all the reasons outlined above, I’m keeping a close eye on Ginger who’s coming up for 12 years old now (we think). Our oldest cat is a snuggler, a yowler, and an always and forever hobo. And we wouldn’t be without him for the world.
Have you ever had an old cat or senior cat before? If so, what tips would you add to what I’ve said? And if not, would you consider adopting an older cat now?
* This is a sponsored post.
Aww bless! Jester is just super cute. I don’t get why people wouldn’t want to adopt an older cat either, for some I think it’s the aesthetic of a kitten that they want more. We have an older cat that roams our street and all the neighbours love him (his name is trigger) they are so gentle and definitely still plenty of life left.
Jordanne || Thelifeofaglasgowgirl.co.uk
Thank you so much – obviously I agree with you about Jester! And yes, I think you’re right about the kitten aesthetic, sadly. But your Teddy is a brilliant example of how much life an older cat has and how much he still has to give, bless him 🙂 x
I don’t really like cats lol. I prefer dogs but this an amazing post and yea one of the benefits of adopting an older cat is the fact that older cats require lower maintenance. Love this! xoxo
Thank you – I imagine this all applies to older dogs too but I’m a cat lover, not a dog girl! x
These are some great reasons. Older cats can be so loving. My neighbours adopted a 4 year old cat when I was younger. Both their boys and me absolutely adored the cat growing up and she lived till she was 19. Older cats sometimes have more of a personality than a playful kitten still learning about the world.
Wow, 19 years old is amazing and yes, the seniors definitely do have wonderful personalities that kittens just don’t have.
I had two cats, both rescued from the street, as kittens. I agree that adopting an older cat has a lot of benefits though, especially ones who come from a rescue and they can offer some insight into their personalities too. Kittens require a lot of work and attention, that is very clear.
Oh I think rescuing any cat is brilliant, whatever their age, I only wanted to highlight the benefits of an older cat for those who were set on getting a kitten 🙂
Totally agree with this post, cats are wonderful pets but older cats should be an option because they are super caring as they get older. My cat is nearly 10 now and he’s calm and part of the family.
Ah, he sounds lovely, I’m so glad you have an older cat too, they are so precious.
Lovely post, Lisa. Same sort of pointers about adopting an older dog too. Sometimes older pets are just more suited to someone’s lifestyle, especially those who can’t get up and about as much who wouldn’t be able to deal with a puppy or a kitten! xxx
Thank you, Jenny, and yes, you’re absolutely right, an older cat would be ideal for someone with limited mobility 🙂 xxx
I love this so much! Our older cat was adopted when she was 5. Although not very old, she had been there for a while and we really loved her. She’s very skittish but gives us so much love. My friend adopted a 10 year old cat from the same place and he’s just as loveable.
Thank you so much, that’s so kind, and your cat sounds adorable, still full of beans!
I love the idea of adopting an older cat! You’ve really highlighted the benefits of doing so, especially for those of us who would rather just skip the kitten stage. I had no idea cats could have dementia! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Jodie. Yes, they can and do, unfortunately, but the increased snuggles are a definite benefit of early onset dementia 🙂
We live in a shared flat and have the chance to live with a cat for the first time. At first, I thought I would never manage, but he has become my best companion during the afternoons and writing session! He’s a fourteen-year-old and I couldn’t ask for anyone better xx
Oh my goodness, that is just WONDERFUL to read, I’m so pleased, he sounds absolutely amazing! xx
Aww how cute are your cats?! I loved reading this post and I think it’s great to adopt an older cat, to be able to give them a happy home for their last remaining years is such an amazing thing! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Thank you – I would have to agree they are all cute, haha, but yes, adopting older cats is something we’ve never regretted x
Kittens are a lot of work and have their joys and pleasures, but I love older cats too, for their calmer attitude and soothing presence. I am surprised by the volume of kittens taken in as opposed to older cats!
Jester is beautiful! So pure white.
Thanks for sharing.
They sure are, quite exhausting although rewarding in a different way! Thank you, Jaya, Jester was very beautiful, I still miss and mourn him today x
This is such a great post! My cat isn’t an elder yet but I adopted her at 3 years old, she was not a kitten.
Either way, adopting a cat (not a kitten) is a wonderful experience. My favorite is watching her become more comfortable in our home. She changes right before our eyes and warms up to us. It may be tricky at first but patience is key. It’s so worth it at the end of it all.
wildrosehealer.com
Ah, this was so lovely to read, your cat sounds wonderful and how fantastic she’s found her forever home with you!
Great post! I love cats. It’s true, the older they get the more they like to snuggle. That alone is a great reason to adopt an older cat. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful post!
Thank you – and yes, we love allllll the snuggles!
Older cats definitely need some love!! I have an older one and they’re just as great. I love the somewhat hands-off approach for those who want to snuggle and don’t have much time to play. I agree that older cats are generally calmer. For some reason, my 17 year old is so aggressive. I like that many of them are pretty much trained. Thanks for sharing this!!
Nancy ✨
Oh they do, and the rewards amply compensate for any reluctance to play like a kitten. Sorry to hear your puss isn’t as calm as ours though!
I love everything about this post! Older cats can make such incredible pets. We’ve had our current 2 since they were younger (we rescued Jinx at 3 weeks and Pippen at 9 months) but they are both getting up in age now. That being said, I love the cats that they have grown into as they discovered their own personalities. Jinx is a SUPER affectionate cat that is always up for some snuggles and attention. Meanwhile, Pippen is our playful cat. She will play fetch for hours and hours on end. We’ve had to make some changes for our pets as they have all aged, but it’s 110% worth it!
Thank you, Britt, and you’re absolutely right, older cats really do come into their own personalities. And it’s so worth any small changes we have to make to accommodate them in their twilight years!
I don’t have any pets right now but would love to adopt a cat in the future and would definitely consider an older moggy now x
Oh, that’s wonderful to hear, I’m so pleased! x
I’ve seen people talking about why you should adopt older dogs but never why you should adopt older cats. I definitely agree with you. Older cats have their own charms.
Antonia || Sweet Passions
That’s interesting about older dogs, I didn’t know that. Presumably for the same reasons as cats? And thank you!
Lovely post! I think it’s such a wonderful thing to be able to give a home to an older animal.
Kittens are super cute, of course, but adopting an older cat must be incredibly rewarding – it’s definitely something more of us should consider when we are looking for pets.
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much, that’s very kind. And yes, it’s extremely rewarding 🙂
We adopted our little one at 4 years old and it was the best decision we ever made. I’ve always wanted an older cat (as this was my first time being a cat mum) but my hubby wanted to have two kittens – luckily, I won in the end! I really hope more people will adopt more older cats in future.
Ah, Lizzie, that’s so wonderful to read, I’m so happy for you!
What a great list! One of my favorite things about older cats is that they are already well trained, so they almost feel easier.
Yes, you’re right, that’s a definite bonus!
I’ve never really thought of this, to be honest, but I can see your point. Same applies to older dogs vs puppies, I guess. We’ve always gone for puppies, mostly just so we could train them properly but older animals are definitely calmer than young ones so a lot better for families with young kids like ours. Thanks for giving me some food for thought, Lisa, and merry nearly Christmas!
You’re very welcome, Katerina. And yes, I’m sure the same is true for dogs too. Happy Christmas!
That cat is a beauty! Great article!
Thank you so much.
Awesome post! We are new to cat pet owners, for most we have dogs. We adopted a stray kitten. Had adjustments with furniture scratching and I even re-do my Christmas tree the second time! No worries, we happen to be smitten with our kitten. This sheds light on adopting adult cats in the future.
Oh, I remember having to rescue and redo the Christmas tree over the years, haha. Your new kitten sounds very cute though, I hope he/she settles down quickly 🙂
Ohh you are so right! They are also so loving. We have a 14 year old Birman cat and the older he gets the more cuddly he is <3 also a little grumpier XD
Aw, your Birman sounds lovely – and at 14 years old well entitled to a little grumpiness! x
Thank you for sharing 🙂 these pictures are so adorable! I love reading about your tips on getting a cat that’s perfect for your family. We actually adopted our cat from a shelter as a very young cat- and we’re lucky that he was so good with children as my sister was young at the time and always treating him as it sounds your children treat your cats! Love this x
Thank you, I do miss my old boy, Jester, even now, he was a cutie. And yes, you were lucky with your young cat, he sounds very chilled! x
Hi Lisa. I think older animals of any breed struggle more to get adopted than their younger counterparts. I think there is something in the appearance of younger animals designed to make them look more appealing (seriously, I think scientists have studied this!). We got our dog Harvey as a puppy because he is our first dog and, in all honesty, we didn’t consider adopting an older dog – but it’s certainly something we’ll give some thought to next time.
And you are right about the lifespan of cats. Our last cat, Stella (named after the lager!), lived to 18. One of my aunts had 2 cats and both lived into their early 20s.
Great article 🙂
Hi Richie, yes, I think you’re absolutely right – something about the huge eyes and slight air of helplessness, perhaps? But 18 is an amazing age for Stella, and early 20s for the others is just awesome, wow! 🙂
We adopted an older cat from a cat charity. I saw her and just couldn’t resist her, she was so cute!
That’s so wonderful to hear, Nikki, I’m sure she’s a beauty!
I’ve always adopted my pets, and while they have been at different ages I’ve never adopted a full kitten/puppy.
I like the idea of giving a home to the older cats, and it’s something me and my boyfriend have talked about doing in the future when we have more time.
That said, I really want to get a puppy at least once in my lifetime.
Ah, that’s lovely – I mean definitely get a puppy, but definitely an older cat too, perhaps when the puppy is older 🙂
I love that you wrote this post. It is sad but true, “older cat” already starts somewhere around half a year when it comes to adoption (because then they are not kitty shaped anymore) but older cats are the most adorable and snuggly that they are. I would take an older cat in a heart-beat ♥ plus, you already know their personality and they are potty-trained 😉
Thank you, Susanne, that’s so good to hear. Kittens are cute but older cats have the edge for me, for all the reasons you outline 🙂
Benefits of adopting an older cat? – Getting a cat 🙂
I really want a cat, young or old, but my dogs don’t like cats and I’m afraid they’ll hurt the kitty.
All the best, Michelle (michellesclutterbox.com)
Absolutely! Ah, that’s unfortunate, I’m so sorry 🙁