The benefits of adopting senior cats

When I had to say goodbye to my 17-year-old cat, I knew that when I was ready to adopt again, I would want a cat just like her — calm, mellow and undemanding. Of course, I was remembering her as a senior, not an energetic youngster. So, when I was ready to adopt again, what did I do? I gave into the fear of having to face the pain of saying goodbye again and adopted not one, but two young cats that had long lives ahead of them. Oh boy.

I quickly found out they had a different idea of what our life together should be like. They were full of energy and paid no attention to either the clock or my schedule. Who wants to sleep when you could be playing with awesome wand toys? Or knocking things off the counter to get my attention? Nap time was definitely not on their to-do list. I quickly came to the realization that I had to alter my expectations and adapt to my young cats’ needs. Oh boy, again.

Older shelter cats are just as loving, loyal and delightful as young ones, but typically the last to be adopted. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 3.2 million cats find their way into animal shelters every year. Some — about 90,000 or so — are happily reunited with their owners, and 1.6 million lucky cats are adopted. Sadly, that leaves 860,000 unlucky cats that end up being euthanized every year. Many of those are more than 10 years old and are tragically overlooked by potential adopters just because of their age.

How old is considered “senior” in cat years? Opinions vary slightly, but, according to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, a 10-year-old cat is similar age-wise to a 53-year-old person, a 12-year-old cat to a 61-year-old person and a 15-year-old cat to a 73-year-old. Cats have been known to live into their early 20s. According to the “Guinness World Records 2010,” Cream Puff, from Austin, lived to be 38 years old.

Older cats do need a little extra TLC to live a comfortable life. Regular wellness exams, medication if needed, proper food, warm places to sleep, gentle grooming, easy access to things they enjoy and lots of love will help your cat enjoy their golden years.

There are many reasons to consider adopting a senior cat. What you see is what you get. Their personalities are well-established, so you’ll know if they’re a good fit for your family, whereas a kitten’s changes as it grows older. A senior cat has been exposed to lots of sights, sounds and smells, so they will often settle into a new home more quickly. They need less supervision than a kitten and thrive on routine.

When Larkspur resident Carol Robinson decided she wanted to adopt a cat, she chose 13-year-old Athena.

“I knew I wanted a cat who’d be content just sitting on my lap and I also knew older cats have less chance at getting adopted so to me it made sense,” she says.

In honor of National Adopt A Senior Pet Month, consider adopting an older cat. Kittens don’t stay in shelters for long, so by adopting a senior cat you really know you’re saving a life. Adding a senior cat to your family can make both your lives richer, happier and more peaceful.

For more information about cat behavior, visit marinhumane.org/oh-behave.

Nancy Weiler is a volunteer with Marin Humane, which contributes Tails of Marin articles and welcomes animal-related questions in our community. Go to marinhumane.org, Twitter.com/MarinHumane, or email lbloch@marinhumane.org.