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AIBU?

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Original poster

To adopt a 15yr old cat?

92 replies

BabySquidy · 27/12/2021 20:19

I am going to potentially rehome a 15yr old cat his owner has had to go into a care home.

He is a large black ragdoll type, he seems perfect for us as a family. Used to children, affectionate and likes to be outdoors in the summer and warmer months.

I am told he doesn't like a litter tray but will use one if absolutely desperate and prefers to go out to pee and poop, but won't I need to keep him in for a week or so to get used to his surroundings?

OP posts:
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7
ilovesooty · 29/12/2021 00:07

He's absolutely beautiful.

Astrak · 29/12/2021 00:10

Two months ago, I was "gifted" an abandoned 12 Yr old tabby cat. He's had no problems settling in, being an excellent companion and, apart from always wailing for more food (which I ignore), is the perfect companion.
He goes for short strolls in the garden but is soon back.
His insurance is £15pm, which doesn't seem too bad.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 29/12/2021 00:11

@BabySquidy

Can you change an old cats name?
Do cats respond to their name in general? Lol mine don’t with any regularity! Unless it’s breakfast or treat time!
HarmonicAnalysis · 29/12/2021 00:30

How lovely for both of you. Enjoy your new friend! He's a sweetie.

KiwiChch · 29/12/2021 08:15

I did this accidentally when the former owners of my property didn't tell me that the barn cat came with the place until I moved in and she was still there. They hadn't even named her. Bella is the smoochiest thing and is currently asleep on my knee (obviously not a barn cat now!). Vets estimate is mid-teens and her kidneys are in fairly poor shape but she'll live the life of a queen for as long as she is comfortable for.

Wineisrequired · 29/12/2021 10:09

You sound like a lovely person . I’m also thinking about rescuing an older cat. One of my mums friends has met a new man and moved in with him . I’ve just found out they have left the cat behind . I’m so angry and really looking at rehoming him. He has health issues though but I’m so upset that he’s been left . What is wrong with people 🤬

PussGirl · 29/12/2021 10:13

He's the spitting image of an old stray I took in - the vet thought he was about 15.

He was painfully thin & surviving on bird food in the garden Sad

I called him Codger & he lived another 3 years.

AtillatheHun · 29/12/2021 10:16

Hello, congrats on your new cat! Have a word with your vet about food - ours strongly advocates a kidney diet for all elderly cats. Our 19 year old had kidney markers in his blood tests aged 16, and we switched to Hills KD and mobility - it’s kept his blood markers well in control without further intervention. Vet advised his sister should have the same food. At any rate - really good quality food is important for the olds so senior food at least.

thegcatsmother · 29/12/2021 10:16

My last rescue was about 10/11 (or so I was told), when we got him. He had been abandoned near the cattery we used for our other cat. We gave him 7 years of love and luxury before his kidneys failed and we had him PTS. My other boy is still going strong at 18+.

HomeTheatreSystem · 29/12/2021 10:29

I adopted an older rescue cat too and kept her in for about 2 weeks although after the first week we did go and sit outside in the garden together for about 5 mins a day just to get her used to the sights and smell of her new surroundings in a safe and secure way. Possibly because it was freezing cold, but she did not try and escape my lap but just sat there taking it all in. She showed zero interest in running off so I felt comfortable with that approach but I would not have done that with a younger, more energetic and curious cat. She remained a cat that always stayed very close to home so that was just her nature.

Original poster
BabySquidy · 29/12/2021 10:41

He is absolutely dieing to get outside he's pawing at the patio doors looking outside.... He can't go out yet though surely.

OP posts:
SpookyScarySkeletons · 29/12/2021 10:58

@BabySquidy I thought you had snuck into my house and stolen my cat then!! (Betsy pic below for comparison) He is gorgeous, thankyou for giving him a lovely retirement home.

Insurance wise if he isn't already insured then it's going to be £££ to start insurance at that age. May be better putting some money aside for potential vets bills.

And please keep in for 4-6 weeks as a PP said.

To adopt a 15yr old cat?
steppemum · 29/12/2021 11:06

keep him in for about a week.
he needs to be comfortably eating and sleeping and using litter tray.
Think about limiting his access to the whole house for the first 24 hours, until he knows where the food and litter tray is, but make sure there is somewhere he can hide there too (so not the busy kitchen). then leave the door open and let him start to explore.
Don't over fuss him, let him come to you.

he may not use a bed you buy for him, cat's tend to find their own favourite spot, given that he is black, that will probably be somewhere you can't see him and nearly step on him on a regular basis!

When you first let him out, go out with him and chat to him while he explores, and then shoo him back indoors with you after about half an hour.

It is a lovely thing to do BUT within the next 3 years you will probably have a LOT of vet bills, as older cats tend to get one thing after another, none life threatening, but all need treating.

ThinWomansBrain · 29/12/2021 11:23

I've had mostly indoor cats, so can;t be a lot of help with how long to keep him in.
Shortly before my last cat died, we house sat for a friend (I've always worked on the pronciple that my cats know home is where I am, so they go out when we're away and there's a garden, etc). Day 2, madam was sunbathing in the garden, surrounded (at a distance) by at least eight neighbourhood cats who used my friends garden sitting on fences and roofs glaring at the intruder. Your new arrival will take ownership of the garden wehn he gets to go out.

It's so kind of you to take in an older cat - have fun with him, I hope he settles down in his new home. Will you be keeping in touch with his previous owner? - they'd probably love to know that he is settled and well cared for.

Agree with PP that a "geriatric health check up" would be useful - maybe ask the vet for advice on how long to keep him indoors.

steppemum · 29/12/2021 12:20

he will be desperate to go out because

  1. he prefers to go to the loo outside, this is normal, but he will be ok with a litter tray for a while
  2. while he is enjoying cuddles, this house is not yet home and so he will try and get out to go home. So resist the scratching at the door.
A week should be more than enough. Whenever we have moved with our own cats, they have been fine after 24 hours, but that was becuase we were there, and they were imprinted on us.

After a week I would keep the litter tray and don't give him free access, but let him out with you when you are around, so short bursts, and when he is hungry (so he comes back in for food)

Do that for a couple of weeks, and then relax

labazslovesliving · 29/12/2021 12:47

old does not necessarily mean ill and needing treatment. we have just taken on my late mil cat and he has a new lease of life. one cat went to the neighbour but this one did not want to go there now being the only cat in our home he has become very vocal and has started enjoying food now he does not need to fight for it. he is mega affectionate and though we worried re the dogs who outside hate cats it seems he is definitely the boss! my one dog is terrified of him won't go past him if he needs to

Borgonzola · 29/12/2021 12:59

We adopted a 12 year old, and she's now 15. we've had 3 wonderful years with her so far. I am aware that the time we have left with her is short and she is so, so loved after years of living unhappily with other cats and dogs. We have given her a happy and comfortable retirement and we cherish the time we have with her!

Adopt an old kitty, they're so very grateful Smile

thecatneuterer · 29/12/2021 13:01

Great idea,, but you need to keep him in for at least three weeks. He'll just have to use his tray.

thecatneuterer · 29/12/2021 13:03

Keeping in for a week as I see has been recommended abovef really isn't long enough!!!!

Yes, you might get away with it, but it's a huge risk. All rescues, including ours, recommend a minimum of three weeks.

Borgonzola · 29/12/2021 13:04

Also don't put butter on paws per previous poster! It'll probably just stress him out.

Concessions we have made to our elderly moggy are: larger size litter tray to ensure she's comfortable when on the throne; lots of bowls of water around the house so she can always get a drink in; a radiator bed with a step up to it; and we're considering buying her a raised food bowl so she doesn't have to crouch too much.

Enjoy your lovely senior Smile

CaptaNoctem · 29/12/2021 13:06

Yes keep him in for a couple of weeks.

So glad you are taking him. We adopted an elderly cat from a shelter with known health problems. We only had her a year but at least her last days were spent with a comfy sofa and the ability to pootle gently around the garden and snooze in the sun.

HeronLanyon · 29/12/2021 13:10

Brilliant op !
Does his previous owner want updates about him? What an absolute relief to him/her to know beloved cat is in great new loving home.
Good luck.

LalalalalalaLand123 · 29/12/2021 13:14

We have always adopted older cats, 10-15 yrs old. They've all been different and we've loved them all. One pair had been languishing in a cat shelter for months, they were lovely!
Just be prepared (emotionally & financially) for eventual potential health issues and end-of-life decisions. The insurance co recommended by our vet for older animals is Animal Friends.

Original poster
Babysquidy · 01/01/2022 17:12

Just thought you would like an update... He's doing so well, he won't use a litter tray at all dispite trying different litters / more than one. He is using the bath at the moment and it's not the worst thing in the world to be honest.

He didn't like the fireworks last night and hid under the bed and was then really unsettled for a few hours but then soon settled in front of the window watching the squirrels oh and a fox came out too....

I groomed him a little today he had a few mats I had to cut some out and his belly is awful lots of mats there but I will get them out with the scissors I think rather than pull his tum.

To adopt a 15yr old cat?
OP posts:
elfycat · 01/01/2022 17:30

OP your cat is beautiful! I love senior cats, more than I like kittens.

My first cat (after leaving home) was a 19 year old tortie. Her owner had died and I worked in an office with the granddaughter - she had a son with asthma and cat allergy. I saw her message asking if anyone could take the cat and 2 days later I had a thin elderly cat and all her cardiac medicines.

She lived another 9 months and one day fell asleep in a patch of sunlight and didn't wake up.

The 3 I have now have come from friends who have had changed in circumstances. One was getting aggressive with an autistic child and came here stressed and bitey - will add pic - possibly half Maine Coon and very large. The latest was after they moved somewhere no pets were allowed He's snuggled next to me now

((We just got our first snake - supposed to be a rehome but it looks like a rescue as he wasn't in the right set up at all, and the heater was broken))

To adopt a 15yr old cat?