Dedicated to Sammy – My Boy, My Boy, My Boy

If you’re contemplating adopting a cat and wondering whether you should adopt a kitten because they are oh so cute as opposed to an older cat because you think that might be the right thing to do, you need to read the information here.

I have had cats in my life for the past 36 years and every one of them that have since crossed over the rainbow bridge were elderly when they passed. I know older cats and I know why you should seriously consider adopting an older cat.

Sammy

All the pictures on this blog are of Sammy, our beautiful boy who lost his battle with liver cancer 3 years ago. He was 10 when we were blessed with his presence and 13 when he crossed over the Rainbow bridge. We had too little time with him and he was gone so fast.

We still cry and grieve for you, my baby boy.

Ten Reasons to Adopt an Older Cat

1. Older cats are harder to find homes for then kittens and are therefore vulnerable to premature euthanasia at government funded shelters.

2. For an older couple or person – adult or geriatric cats make better companions because they are more mellow, laid back and less likely to be causing chaos around the house.

3. Young children can be rough with kittens but an older cat, even a young adult cat will have better luck escaping the clutches of little humans as well being more likely to withstand the clutches if they are caught.

Sunshine Sam

4. For a working family who are not home a lot, kittens left alone can and will cause mischief while you’re away. Up on the curtains, clawing furniture and carpets and even dragging toilet paper throughout the house are only a few things kittens are known to do if left alone to entertain themselves. They are like children where everything that fits goes in their mouths. Older cats will simply sleep, lay in the sun and wait for you to come home.

5. Older cats are grateful for home, shelter and loving companionship. You may think this a silly point if you believe cats have no intelligence or thought processes. However I know this to be absolutely true from personal experience. I have seen cats literally blossom into truly happy beings after being with Ken and I for a few weeks and receiving love and attention they’d never experienced before. I will tell these stories in more detail later but for the purpose of this article, this may be the single most important reason why older cats are a delight to adopt.

6. Obviously older cats will already be litter trained, likely spade/neutered and have had their full shots so vet bills will be minimal unless you’re a real hero and adopt a cat with medical issues.

King of the House - King Sammy

7. If you already have an older cat, adopting a kitten would be too stressful for them. I have often thought that getting a kitten would help keep my older cats younger (and thinner) but always on further thought, I couldn’t bring myself to do it because of the stress that it would cause them. They don’t have the patience anymore for babies and in Jazz’s case, I think she might actually eat kitties for breakfast.

8. An older cat has already developed his or her personality so you know what kind of cat you’re getting before you bring them home. This makes it far easier to match your personality to your cat so you know you will be compatible.

9. Adult cats are much calmer and more likely to want to spend some quiet time sitting on your lap for strokes and purring. Studies have shown that cats can have a real health benefit for humans in reducing their stress levels and blood pressure. Kitties live to explore new worlds and will not be receptive to just sitting and being loved like an older cat will.

10. Einstein knew the truth about cats. The genius scientist Albert Einstein discovered an important relationship between mass and energy. He described it using the mathematical equation E=(MC)2. This equation means that your Energy level (E) is proportional to the Mass (M) of your Cat©, twice over. The equation basically shows that if you adopt a cat with more Mass, like an adult cat, your Energy level will be much higher than if you adopt a cat with a low Mass, such as a kitten. This is true because adult cats sleep more, play less, require less supervision, break fewer lamps, and don’t try to bite your toes through the blankets in the middle of the night. With an adult cat, you will sleep better, relax more, make fewer claims on your homeowner’s policy, and enjoy more Energy. There you have it. Are you going to argue with Albert Einstein? (Quoted from Pat Brody Shelter for Cats)

Summary: The Most Important Reason You Should Adopt an Older Cat

Simply because they deserve it and you may be their last chance at having a loving, secure home. Older cats don’t end up in shelters because they are bad cats. It’s usually because either their former owners have passed away or entered nursing homes, moved into homes that don’t allow pets or have been abandoned when their former family split up. Sitting in shelters waiting for someone special to come along to take them home while watching all the kittens get adopted first has to be the loneliest feeling I can imagine for an adult cat.

Adopt a Homeless Animal

Do the right thing for you and for the homeless older cats. Adopt an older cat today.

My Experience:

Ever since we adopted Rex as a baby, every cat we’ve had has lived to be at least 15. Stella whose story I will tell under another lens lived to be 18 and she was sick with kidney disease the last 5 years of her life.

Sure they are wonderfully cute when they are kittens but cats are so much more wonderful after they become adults. Once they’ve reached that senior area, they are so secure and set in their ways that they are definitely part of your family. Each cat is individual and none of my cats have ever been exactly the same. Rex was aloof with me but a big suck with my husband Ken. Stella loved me more then anything in the world but took a few years to warm up to Ken. Jazz is 15 and still looks like the day we brought her home from the shelter and is as tough as nails. Sammy was brought to us very late in his life and even though we only had him for 3 years before he died of cancer, he was a major player in our house and we still miss him desperately. And then along came Chico. He was 8 when I inherited him from my mom and his story is truly fascinating.

All of their stories will be written here at some time in the future but because they all have such distinctive personalities and contributed so much to our family, I am convinced that adopting an older cat who might not otherwise have a chance to live securely and happily in a loving home is the only way to go for me. I hope I have convinced you of this as well.

Sam's Favorite Spot