Benefits of Adopting an Older Cat

There are countless things that get better with age, and your furry feline companion is one of them. While everyone loves a kitten -- let's face it, a kitten is cute, cuddly, and a never-ending bundle of energy -- an older cat can make an ideal companion for some people. Each year, millions of cats are euthanized in shelters all across the country, and while cats of all ages are victims of this practice, it is often the less frequently adopted older cats that are put down in order to make room for cute and highly adoptable kittens. If you're considering adding a cat to the family, why not consider one that's already been trained, has lived through the growing pains stage, and is more interested in keeping you company than in chasing birds or tearing apart your furniture?

Who Should Adopt An Older Cat?

For a single person living in an apartment or condominium, a retired couple, or a household without children or other pets, an older cat can be the perfect companion. In particular, choosing an older female cat means you'll be adding a family member that's litter box trained, spayed, and happier to stay inside on the couch than to go outdoors. An older cat has usually had all of their shots, and is responsible and calm enough to be left home alone. If you're looking for the sort of companion that's well behaved, self-sufficient, a homebody, and always happy to see you, then an older female cat may be the best match for your household.

If you live in a larger space and your family includes children, it may be a better choice to adopt a young and energetic adult cat, rather than a kitten. While kittens are undeniably adorable, children have a tendency to play rough and, just like the kitten, have relatively short attention spans. It's inevitable that your kids will get bored with paying attention to the kitten once the novelty wears off, and vice versa, leaving you not only with kids to keep out of trouble, but a mischievous kitten that needs frequent supervision. A young adult cat is still fresh and energetic enough to entertain your kids, is better suited to handle rough play than the small and fragile kitten, and is also self-sufficient enough to entertain themselves when nobody's paying attention to them. If you're really brave and have the space, consider adopting two around the same age, and your new furry friend will have no shortage of playmates.

Ideal Companions For Life

Senior citizens are often wonderful pet parents to older cats, especially if both the cat and the pet parent are around the same age and stage of life. Many times, older cats end up in shelters because their owners have passed away, leaving the cat without a friend and without a home. Adopting a cat that's been rescued from this situation is perfect for a senior citizen, who may often have too much free time and find him or herself feeling lonely. For both the cat and the owner, it can be the perfect partnership that lasts the rest of their life.

Knight In Shining Armor

An older cat that's given a home is more likely to adapt easily to the situation, and to be grateful and appreciative. Much like human beings, cats collect experiences with age, both of the positive and negative variety. Even after months living in a cage or on the street, an older cat can remember the benefits of living in a comfortable, safe home with loving owners, and will be ecstatic to have returned to that situation. Particularly if the cat has been de-clawed and lost means of survival in the wild, they will look at you as their own personal savior.

In many cases, older cats that were raised in homes that had multiple pets, particularly other cats, will feel sad and depressed at the loss of companionship. If your home already includes an older cat, or even a young adult cat, it's a good time to consider adopting an older cat that's not only lost his human family, but his feline friend, as well. Similarly, older cats that are disabled or have medical issues need love and care more than any other, and yet have the most difficult time finding homes. While not appropriate for homes with kittens, puppies, or small children, giving an older or disabled cat a place to call home and live out his final years in peace makes all the difference in the world, for both of you.

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