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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Adopting older rescue cat - how old is too old?

33 replies

Rollypoly100 · 10/09/2013 16:04

Long time lurker but never posted.
i've seen a beautiful brown mackerel tabby needing a home. He is 13 but healthy and chipped. Going to see him in rescue centre on Friday. Should I get him?

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 10/09/2013 16:09

I got Seniorboy at 13. He's now 18 going on 19 and still thereabouts. (Neded only some dental work and (recently) some arthritis meds.)

Go for him!

SunshineSuperNova · 10/09/2013 16:17

My lovely boy is 19 (not a rescue, have had him since kittenhood) and he's wonderful company. He likes cuddles and food :)

I'd also say for him x

Bakingtins · 10/09/2013 16:20

Average lifespan for a cat is middle teens (15-16ish) with a fair few getting to 20. If you can find it in your heart to give him a few good years, why not? Senior kittizens deserve good homes too!

Original poster

Rollypoly100 · 10/09/2013 16:22

Think I've made up my mind already. He looks lovely. I'll keep you posted and will put some pics on. Thanks for your advice.

OP posts:

thecatneuterer · 10/09/2013 16:47

Old cats are my favourite. I adopted one when she was 25 and she lived for nearly two years more! I've adopted lots in their late teens and early 20s. Thirteen is really young in my book! The oldies are generally easier - they're less likely to stray a long way and get lost, they tend to be more loving, less likely to go hunting etc.

Looking forward to seeing the pics.

cozietoesie · 10/09/2013 16:53

Good for you Rolly. Looking forward to the pics.

hiddenhome · 10/09/2013 16:56

Older cats are less likely to wander off and therefore less likely to get knocked down, stolen or go missing.

My older female never goes anywhere and just potters around.

Kelly1814 · 10/09/2013 16:59

Oh deff get him! I have had senior cats from 10 and my current adopted last year is around 9.

Older cats are amazing. They've seen it all before, are super relaxed, grateful to have a lovely home, and just want to crack on with eating and sleeping, in my opinion.

Kittens are cute but I have zero interest in the climbing the curtains and wailing in my ear at 4 am stuff.

Lonecatwithkitten · 10/09/2013 20:32

Well the oldest cat I have ever meet was 31 years old documented with it's castration date in our clinic records. I regularly see 20 to 21 year old cats.

You earn enormous respect from your vet for adopting a senior citizen cat. Plus they tend not to climb your curtains etc.

timtam23 · 10/09/2013 20:54

I would go for it, my 2 oldies are 18 & 17, they both have health problems now, but until a year ago they were extremely healthy and one of them in particular would bound around like a cat 10 years younger. They both potter around a bit now and never leave the back yard as they cannot jump onto the wall - so I don't have to worry about them being lost or hit by a car.

My plan was always to get another older cat after these 2 died, however we recently took in a very young stray kitten (who is absolutely lovely & very much part of the family already, but I would not have chosen to adopt a kitten under normal circumstances, they are just too lively for me - and I feel sorry for all the older cats left unadopted in rescues)

PolterGoose · 11/09/2013 21:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Corygal · 11/09/2013 21:39

Go for it. Older kitlings are confident, super-cuddly and super-chilled.

Mr Cory has just turned 10 and is a complete joy to me. He gets cuter every day.

DulcetMoans · 11/09/2013 21:42

My kitten is now 21 and he's great! He's relaxed, takes cuddles a lot more than my baby cat and I just love him so much. Would hate to think older cats wouldn't get rehomed just cos of their age! Poor things!

He has got to the stage of needing more vet attention though so be prepared for that.

Theincidental · 11/09/2013 21:45

I have. 15 yr

Theincidental · 11/09/2013 21:47

I have. 15 yr old FIV cat. I got him when he was 7 and was told he wouldn't live more than 5 years. Excluding teeth issues (common to FIV cats), he's happy and healthy. Loves the sofa, his dinner and cuddles!

I would have an older cat and an FIV cat again for sure!

cozietoesie · 12/09/2013 00:25

I should add that Seniorboy gets very extra special treatment at the vets these days. Even She Who Must Be Obeyed defers to his age.

cozietoesie · 12/09/2013 00:29

(Although it probably helps that he's a thorough gentleman who gives them a xmas card and a big box of Thornton's every year.)

Original poster

Rollypoly100 · 13/09/2013 23:11

I've now met him and he is lovely and so affectionate. I hope my pic has downloaded ok. I am in the middle of a house move so won't pick him up for a month but I have reserved him. His last owners moved house and left him behind! How could anyone do that.

OP posts:

timtam23 · 13/09/2013 23:17

Rolly I don't think your profile is public as I can't see the photo...It may just be taking a while to come through though!

I can't understand people who leave cats behind like that, well done to you for taking him in.

thecatneuterer · 13/09/2013 23:18

Oh lovely. You need to make your profile public I think.

I know, my first rescue cat was 18 and she had been abandoned by her owners as they fancied going on lots of long holidays and she was a burden. I hate people on the whole ...

cozietoesie · 13/09/2013 23:20

Well done, Rolly.

Original poster

Rollypoly100 · 13/09/2013 23:28

You should be able to see him now. I think he looks pretty good for 13. Really looking forward to having him home.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 13/09/2013 23:29

Oh he's great.

What's his name?

thecatneuterer · 13/09/2013 23:31

Oh he's lovely. You must be excited.

Original poster

Rollypoly100 · 13/09/2013 23:42

He's called Finnegan. Such a sweet natured cat. I'll have loads of questions on pet insurance. Have wanted a cat for ages and now I'm not living in a city I'm getting one!

OP posts:

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