Having worked for Cats Protection for several gloriously rewarding years I wanted to promote the older cats. Older cats have come to me to end their days on numerous occasions. What a delight to take an old gimmer into my home when nobody else wants them. What joy to see them settle into their new surroundings within moments of arrival? It seems to be a case of wherever they lay their paws that's their home.
It is sad that often old cats are put onto the streets or sent to us when they reach their twilight years. Sometimes sadly older cats have older owners that may pass away and leave them ownerless.
I never really thought about old cats when I started fostering. I was looking forward to having lots of kittens! Living in a big old farmhouse Elaine would often call me and inform me of an old timer that needed taking in to end his days. I was horrified that she would want to send her husband to me however thankfully it turned out to be an old cat.
Since my first encounter with the golden oldies I consider myself privileged to care for them. Old cats have a lovely interesting character. They are usually very serene and peaceful without being dull.
What is it about old cats that are so appealing! There are many reasons why I can recommend adopting the older cat; one of them being the immeasurable pleasure that they give you each and every day. Older cats are normally fully house trained and very fastidious. They have nothing to prove and do not insist on leaving the house daily as they are happy to eat their breakfast and go back to bed. Once back in bed they will be happy to remain there until the next meal.
If there is a lap on offer the older cat will stake a claim that could render the lap occupied until further notice. Make sure when settling with your older cat that you have the following items available as the cat will be very disgruntled should he be disturbed before tea time.
- A big mug of tea
- The remote control
- A good book
- Portable phone
Older cats don't think that it is really cool to strole across the road at rush hour looking back over their shoulder to make sure you are suitably shocked. Nor do they think it is clever to keep you from your bed by coming in two hours late!
Older cats are usually full of character and can make you laugh just as much as the younger members of the species. They can still be very playful, however when jumping onto high surfaces it is not unusual to see them drop heavily to the floor having made a major mistake when calculating take of height, flight and landing velocity. However they are too old to be indignant and will just have a little shake of the head and look for somewhere else to rest their weary bones.
Older cats may be a little more vocal than the youngsters this is normally attributed to a severe degeneration in their ability to hear. This can be useful if you oversleep in the morning. The older cat will make sure that you do not sleep in to long. They will bellow up the stairs first thing as they always seem to be rather hungry. Do not reprimand your old cat for shouting as he will not hear you! In his defence, the cat only thinks he is talking in normal tones.
Older cats can also live longer! Don't let mortality put you of adopting an old cat. Old cats have been there and done that. They will no longer disappear a courting thus leaving them vulnerable to disease and injury. They will walk away from troublesome, threatening youngsters therefore saving serious injury and large vet bills. They will enjoy curling up inside on a warm cosy bed as opposed to a warm car engine. Again this will reduce large vet bills and even possible fatal injuries.
What more can I say! There is something comforting and endearing about an old cat curled up by the fire or on the chair. It's like looking at peace, its like looking at tranquillity something you can really only usually feel. There it is in front of you looking back. Give an old cat a home today!
