When adopting a cat, don't automatically count out older cats. There are numerous benefits to adopting an older kitty, they're much better suited to those with a busy lifestyle, among other things! Keep reading to learn more reasons why you should consider adopting an older cat.
If you're thinking of rehoming a cat, don't automatically opt for the usual cute, fluffy kitten. Although we all love these tiny bundles of fun, there are so many benefits to adopting an older cat that many have never considered. A more senior cat may very well be a better fit for a busy lifestyle and will come home with an established, unique personality already fully formed.
In shelters, black cats take around 13% longer to find a new home than other cats. It isn't fully understood why this is the case, but the statistics speak for themselves: cats that are black in colour are less likely to find their forever home.
Here's just some of the exclusive benefits that come with adopting an older cat, and why and why welcoming a senior feline into your home could be so much more rewarding for owners looking to rehome a pet.
Why adopt an older cat?
Just like humans, cats take some time to establish their personality: their likes and dislikes, particular behaviours, preferred routine and adorable character quirks. When adopting a kitten, it will take over a year for the full strength of their personality to shine through. After all, they need to get through those troublesome teenage 'years' too!
On the other hand, a shelter will be able to tell you all about the personality of their senior residents. Finding the right fit for your own family and lifestyle will become so much easier when adopting an older cat, as both parties already know what they want out of the relationship. So, if you’re still debating whether to look for senior cats for adoption, here are some of the reasons why cats in their golden age might make the perfect pet:
Senior cats got all of that curtain-climbing, wall-scratching energy out of their system years ago. Older cats prefer a room with a view, to an obstacle course of ornaments and are naturally less disruptive than kittens. Of course, accidents can still happen, but with older cats you're more likely to find a calmer senior citizen that is more inclined to bask in the sunshine than clamber the curtain rail.
2. Adult felines come fully trained
Older cats have lived life and come home to you with a wealth of experience already learned! There won't be any messy accidents as you tackle the task of toilet training, and your pet may even have picked up some pretty nifty skills along the way!
Training kittens and young cats is notoriously difficult-much harder than their canine counterparts. When adopting an older cat, all of the basic life skills and essential training will have been taken care of.
3. Mature cats have less daily demands
There are so many common misconceptions about older animals. Although senior pets do prefer a much quieter lifestyle, they aren't necessarily shy cats. With naturally less energy in their later years, senior cats spend large parts of the day conserving their energy rather than expending it. Although it's still important to keep seniors cats active and limber with regular playtime, they don't require anywhere near as much daily exercise as younger cats.
For prospective owners wondering why adopt an older cat? Think carefully about your daily schedule. If you have a busy lifestyle with not much time to spare, adopting an older cat might be a great fit for you. You can snuggle up with a senior cat on the evenings, but won't need to dedicate large portions of time every day to playing games.
4. Senior cats suit a busy lifestyle better
For prospective owners wondering why adopt an older cat? Think carefully about your daily schedule. If you have a busy lifestyle with not much time to spare, adopting an older cat might be a great fit for you. You can snuggle up with a senior cat on the evenings, but won’t need to dedicate large portions of time every day to playing games.
5. Senior cats are great for kids
The temperament of a cat changes as they get older. Many senior felines are patient and will let little ones pet them until they get bored. As long as you make sure to always keep an eye on their interactions and discourage kids from actions that might irritate the pet, adopting an older cat might be the perfect choice for a household with kids running around.
Types of senior cats for adoption: the felines looking for a home
Shy cats
It isn’t just older cats that struggle to find a forever home. Naturally shy cats are less inclined to shine in an environment where multiple animals are competing for attention, and so often suffer when it comes to finding a new home.
Think about the right personality fit for you. A shy cat probably won’t suit a large, busy family with young children, but if you’re a shy person yourself, why not consider rehoming a shy cat? Animals with a more reticent personality still love their owners, they’re just not so quick to make a first impression. Their hard-won love will be so much more worth it in the long-term, when you are the only person whose lap they want to sit on. How’s that for a forever bond?
When older cats find themselves in a shelter, it really is their last chance for love. Competing against cute kittens and colourful adult cats can be difficult when you’re in the sunset years, but this doesn’t mean that senior cats are any less brilliant!
The benefits of adopting an older cat, a shy cat or a black cat are different to choosing a kitten. You may find an even better fit for your family and lifestyle in these often-forgotten felines. Think carefully about adopting a cat: you could make an even more rewarding choice after a little extra consideration.
If you’re thinking about getting a cat, check out our new cat guide so you’ll be prepared for your new arrival.
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