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Original poster

Cat for older person

21 replies

CageyBee · 01/07/2018 19:51

Would appreciate any advice. My dad is 70. He’s had cats all his life until my twin and I were born. We are 30. He lives alone now and any cats that come to his garden or that he passes, he falls in love with. He’s brilliant with animals and looks after my dogs so well if I’m unable to. (I have arrangements for my dogs but my shifts can change last minute).

I’d love to get him a cat for a companion and I know he’d like one but I’ve never I knowledge of cats so I’m hoping someone can chime in with some experience:

When I have purchased my dogs I’ve been careful about pedigree and checking medical info etc- is it the same for cats?

I flea and worm my dogs every 12 weeks - is it the same for cats?

Where should I look for healthy kittens?

Any other advice!

OP posts:
Original poster
CageyBee · 01/07/2018 19:55

Sorry for typos- I’m on my phone on the back of a long shift.

OP posts:
Vitalogy · 01/07/2018 20:01

Could you and your dad go to the local rescue centre? He can see and have a chat with the staff, see if this would be suitable for him and cat.

The cat that stays with us came from the RSPCA. He was approx six. I think older cats are a better bet as you don't get so much craziness.

So many cats needing good homes Sad

Your dad sounds great btw.

Original poster
CageyBee · 01/07/2018 20:04

Love that idea and have considered it. My dad knows way more about cats than me but if he adopted a cat and let it out, would it be ok? Would it be able to find it’s way home etc?

OP posts:
HeGotManFlu · 01/07/2018 20:06

Kittens are hard work, at the rescue centres there are always lots of cats needing homes, older cats seem to get left behind. Does he want a cat and what will happen if your dog needs to be there too, he would need them to get on. Cats from reputable rescue centres are all health checked, they need yearly vaccinations, where abouts Does he live.

Original poster
CageyBee · 01/07/2018 20:09

He would like a cat yes- we have discussed it. I have enough arrangements for my dogs that he wouldn’t be affected if he had a cat. My dog goes to daycare with a dog walker when I’m working and if my shifts change my dog stays at my house and my dad or my mum (not together anymore) will come to walk him and fuss him. So if my dad had a cat it wouldn’t affect the cat’s lifestyle if he/she stayed with my dad.

OP posts:
HeGotManFlu · 01/07/2018 20:09

Yes cats find their way home, you can also get indoor cats that perhaps don't cant or do not want to go out. If you are in the UK look up the cat protection website, there is loads of cat info on there, the rspca rehome cats, the blue cross, Battersea cats and dogs home, there's no need to buy a cat with so many needing homes.

TyrionsNextWife · 01/07/2018 20:09

It would have to stay indoors for a few weeks, but once it had settled in our dad could let it out.

I agree about getting a rescue - I’ve had one of my cats since it was a tiny kitten and one was an adult when she came and the adult cat was far easier to deal with! As much as I love kittens, an adult cat is so much easier to live with Grin

TyrionsNextWife · 01/07/2018 20:10

Our dad Hmm Obviuosly I meant your dad!

Vitalogy · 01/07/2018 20:11

Yes, they usually advise to keep them in for a couple of weeks. But I don't usually wait that long. I go out with them so they can have a wander around the garden. Then feed them as soon as they come back in.
Has your dad got a garden? I know when they came to do a home visit that seemed to be one of the stipulations.

They usually find their way home just fine.

Glassofredandapackofcrisps · 01/07/2018 20:14

It would be wonderful if your dad could adopt an older cat. They're always overlooked and they make great companions. Please please consider this.

Buckingfrolicks · 01/07/2018 20:16

Oh theres going to be one lucky cat soon!

I had rescue cats. 12 years old when came to me. Settled in within 2 or 3 days. I showed them the garden (had cat flaps put in) and slowly they ventured out. They were wonderfully clever at knowing which garden was theirs (cats v territorial so set their manor as their garden ASAP) and which doors led to their food, beds and love.

Get him a rescue over 1 yr old so it will be young enough to be silly but will be spayed house trained and years ahead of it.

Original poster
CageyBee · 01/07/2018 20:16

My dad’s garden is huge but it is not secure- you can walk into the back garden from the front of the property. I do love the idea of a rescue and I think he will too. We love animals.

OP posts:
HeGotManFlu · 01/07/2018 20:23

Lots of cats live in unsecure gardens, that is something he will need to consider. You can have what is called a catio which is like a big pen attached to the house, there is also special fencing you can get that they are not supposed to be able to climb but they can be pretty determined to go exploring. Do you know what sort of cat he would like

Vitalogy · 01/07/2018 20:26

Could he possible get two. They would love his garden. Two siblings maybe.

tabulahrasa · 01/07/2018 20:30

“My dad’s garden is huge but it is not secure”

Most gardens aren’t secure as far as cats are concerned anyway, I have 6 foot fences, fine for a dog... my cat just jumps over them. Smile

Original poster
CageyBee · 01/07/2018 21:10

He would like anything that needs a home. I do think rescue is the right way to go as I had considered it initially and from reading comments on here and then thinking about my dad as a person, I think it’s a perfect fit. He’s so nurturing and I had imagined him raising a kitten but I can also imagine him being very patient with a rescue cat. I feel excited for him.

OP posts:
Bumply · 01/07/2018 21:13

My mum adopted an older cat in a special scheme to team up older people's Le with cats that needed a quieter lifestyle.
Not sure what the scheme was, but the cats were vet checked and any future medical issues were covered by the scheme rather than the adopter.

Wolfiefan · 01/07/2018 21:15

Not a kitten. A mad tripping risk!
A slightly older cat or two. Consider that they can live for 20 odd years. If he's going to continue to look after your dog then that needs careful consideration. A cat used to dogs. Introduced carefully. Blue cross have some good advice on that.
And a new cat should be kept in for longer than a couple of weeks. New advice is more like a month at least. Could he ensure it didn't escape before then?
Cats (and your dogs) should be treated monthly for fleas.
Insurance? Cats can be costly.

54321go · 01/07/2018 21:24

Cats are pretty 'mercenary' and not often actually 'stupid'.
It sounds as if your dad is a 'cat person' so probably most will be fine but a kitten is more of a liability so a couple of years old is possibly better.
Food, warmth and attention suit most cats! Rescue centres will hopefully pick one suited to your dad. You can't really 'contain' them so the first few weeks of 'training' the cat that your dad's place is 'the place to be' pays off.

HeGotManFlu · 01/07/2018 21:53

As an alternative he could become a cat fosterer, that way he could look after elderly cats, pregnant and nursing cats, those that cant find a new home, and the cat protection pay all the costs, its worth considering just to see if he is still interested in becoming a feline slave master.

Vinorosso74 · 01/07/2018 21:57

Definitely take him to a rescue. There are lots of adult cats who would love the sort of home he can offer them. Kittens are cute but bloody hard work!

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