Kittens appeal to everyone, don’t they? They’re so cute and fluffy, with their enormous eyes, ears and paws and their boundless energy. They play and explore and nap on your knee.
But somehow, when kittens become cats, they become less appealing to many people looking for a new pet. Cat rescue centres and charities receive cats of all ages, either because their owners cannot care for them any longer or because of cat protection issues. Cat rescue centres can rehome kittens quickly and relatively easily, but many adult and senior cats get overlooked for adoption.
Yet adult and senior cats make fantastic pets and you should consider adopting one for these reasons:
- Their personality is already there – you know just what sort of cat you’re going to get. Most kittens are playful, friendly and affectionate yet when they become cats and develop their own identity they can be completely different. At least by taking in an adult cat you’ll know what you’re getting.
- They are usually already housetrained and may already have been taught not to scratch at the furniture.
- They’re already fully grown and the length of their fur is obvious – so if you don’t want lots of hairballs to deal with and want a short-haired breed it’s easy to choose one.
- They don’t sleep as often as kittens but they sleep for longer periods and are very happy to curl up on your knee or beside you for company when you’re relaxing.
- If a senior or adult cat is not adopted, it is likely that they will be euthanised if the rescue centre isn’t able to keep them indefinitely.
If you opt for an adult or senior cat, they may need special care and attention once they hit around 12 years (they may start with age-related physical problems at any age from about 7 years onwards). If a cat were a human, they’d be at retirement age when they reached 12, to give you an idea of their lifespan and physical capabilities.
As a cat gets older, its immune system weakens and it may be more susceptible to disease. Their claws can become brittle. As they get more advanced in years they may need your help with grooming as they become less mobile. They can experience hearing loss and poor sight. They can also, at a very advanced age, suffer symptoms that, in a human, would be called dementia.
They may also suffer problems with their teeth and joints. Basically, the sort of problems that humans suffer with age can affect cats protection in similar ways. It’s important to regularly check your cat for signs of disease or pain and take them to the vet if you’re unsure. Ensure that they are groomed properly, and make sure you meet their nutritional needs too, and keep a close eye on any weight gain or loss.
But somehow, when kittens become cats, they become less appealing to many people looking for a new pet. Cat rescue centres and charities receive cats of all ages, either because their owners cannot care for them any longer or because of cat protection issues. Cat rescue centres can rehome kittens quickly and relatively easily, but many adult and senior cats get overlooked for adoption.
Yet adult and senior cats make fantastic pets and you should consider adopting one for these reasons:
- Their personality is already there – you know just what sort of cat you’re going to get. Most kittens are playful, friendly and affectionate yet when they become cats and develop their own identity they can be completely different. At least by taking in an adult cat you’ll know what you’re getting.
- They are usually already housetrained and may already have been taught not to scratch at the furniture.
- They’re already fully grown and the length of their fur is obvious – so if you don’t want lots of hairballs to deal with and want a short-haired breed it’s easy to choose one.
- They don’t sleep as often as kittens but they sleep for longer periods and are very happy to curl up on your knee or beside you for company when you’re relaxing.
- If a senior or adult cat is not adopted, it is likely that they will be euthanised if the rescue centre isn’t able to keep them indefinitely.
If you opt for an adult or senior cat, they may need special care and attention once they hit around 12 years (they may start with age-related physical problems at any age from about 7 years onwards). If a cat were a human, they’d be at retirement age when they reached 12, to give you an idea of their lifespan and physical capabilities.
As a cat gets older, its immune system weakens and it may be more susceptible to disease. Their claws can become brittle. As they get more advanced in years they may need your help with grooming as they become less mobile. They can experience hearing loss and poor sight. They can also, at a very advanced age, suffer symptoms that, in a human, would be called dementia.
They may also suffer problems with their teeth and joints. Basically, the sort of problems that humans suffer with age can affect cats protection in similar ways. It’s important to regularly check your cat for signs of disease or pain and take them to the vet if you’re unsure. Ensure that they are groomed properly, and make sure you meet their nutritional needs too, and keep a close eye on any weight gain or loss.
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