Adopting an Older Cat

If you’re thinking of adopting a cat, an older cat could make the perfect addition to your home.

Older cats often find themselves in animal shelters for any number of reasons. A new baby, allergies, divorce, bereavement or any change in income or lifestyle can all be reasons a perfectly healthy, happy animal needs to be rehomed.

Older cats are often rehomed due to life changes in their previous families, not because of behavioural or health problems.
Older cats tend to be calmer and more predictable, with established temperaments that shelters can accurately describe.
They are often more suitable for families with children, as their behaviour and tolerance levels are already known.

Older cats can be extremely loving companions and are generally much lower maintenance. Here are some reasons an older cat might be the right choice for the next addition to your family:

Instant companion: An older cat could give you years of faithful companionship and unconditional love. Kittens initially require 24/7 care: think house-training, scratching, and sleepless nights. Older cats, on the other hand, already know the drill.

Mild moods: Older cats are calmer. They'll still play with you, but they'll do so more gently. Older cats are more likely to keep off counters – and their claws off furniture. Many rescue centres screen animals for specific temperaments and behaviours so you know exactly what you're getting with an older pet.

Child friendly: The employees at the animal home can tell you whether an older animal is comfortable with children, but they won't know about kittens because these young animals have yet to be around kids. They may play too rough, especially with younger children.

Vet visits: Vet fees won't necessarily be higher for older pets. Kittens need a series of vaccinations and you may have to pay to have them spayed or neutered. By contrast, older pets typically require only annual check-ups.

Multi-cat households: Introducing a new cat into an environment where the resident cat rules the roost can be tricky, particularly with older cats who are more set in their ways and less likely to adapt. Achieving feline harmony is possible, but it might just take time for the cats to learn to trust one another and a bit of patience from you. While older cats may need a little extra patience when adjusting to a new home, once they feel safe and secure they are usually quite happy in a multi-cat household.