Senior rescue cat - the first days

[WorrisomeHeart]

It looks like we’re about to become the adopters for a 14yr old time whose owner died a week ago. He’s been underfed since and I’ve got a vet appt booked for early next week so clear on what might come up there. I’m going to prep the small box room with litter tray, bed, food, water etc - is there anything else I should consider? By all accounts he’s a friendly cat but I know I need to leave him be initially. I’m assuming I should leave the box room door ajar to let him come out of his own accord? It’s been a while since I had a cat, this is all feeling very new!

*14yr old TOM not time!

We adopted a senior cat last year. We left him in a quiet room as per guidance and within 5 minutes he was very distressed meowing to get out to explore the rest of the house!! So we let him out and he had a great time exploring his new kingdom. We've got some funny pictures of him traversing the side of the bath within half an hour of getting him home. So be prepared he might not like being shut in a box room if he's anything like our friendly boy, so agree leaving door ajar so he can at least hear some sounds/smells is a good idea.

We kept him inside for 5 weeks before letting him outside.

When we got ours home, she walked out of the carrier went around the house, then found a comfy chair and fell asleep. She was roughly one at the time
No problems since

Well done you. We adopted a gorgeous 15 year old boy 5 years ago. We put him in one room with an ajar door to start with, with plenty of hiding space. After 5 minutes hiding his head (and nothing else) behind the yoga mat, he made himself right at home.

He is still with us, still perky and purring and the biggest lap cat you have ever seen.

One of the best decisions we have ever made.

Aww, how lovely! 😽

I didn't want to congratulate you OP in case it was a friend/close neighbour/family member who had passed away

if so

He might be craving interaction after all that. I hope you have many happy years with him.

If he's a friendly cat, he'll want to be friends.

My old lady doesn't want much in life but if nobody made a fuss when she wants one, she would be livid

Oh thanks so much for your comments, I had wondered if that might be the case. I hope it is! We didn’t know the owner as we’re rescuing via a charity but thanks for the thought.

Obviously may I add a gentle

Post a pic or it didn't happen

Absolutely need photos. Once he’s willing

Oooh exciting! We adopted a cat back in January who was a pet for a year or so but before that was a street cat. He was consigned to one room but after a day or so he was bored of one room and wanted to nosy around. He’s settled in so well, we have 2 other cat’s as well

Well I’ve had updates today to say that he’s eating well and giving loving head boops to the lady who’s picked him up. He arrives tomorrow, we have a ridiculous amount of stuff for him and we’re all really looking forward to it!! Will definitely post photos once he accepts it

You will not regret getting a senior cat. This was my 21 year old squishing himself in my armpit as much as possible yesterday, purring away before falling asleep.

Obviously I was then stuck for quite a while in what turned out to be a tricky position for getting any work done.

Well he’s here and he’s lovely!!! I’ve had lots of smooches from him, he’s eaten and scratched and whined to get out of the one room so he’s now got the roam of the house. He’s currently sleeping under our bed - I think the presence of kids has grown boring for him 😂. I’ll share photos once he’s back up and about.

Here he is!! He still seems happier upstairs than down so I might move his food and litter up there as well unless he starts exploring again. He’s happy to come out from under the bed for a smooch but then retires back in once he’s had enough.

Ooh he’s a solid looking boy for a 14yo isn’t he?.

He's lovely, and looks very at home already. Such a nice thread! (Also love the way @AnnaMagnani said her cat would be livid if ignored, such a cat thing!)

Aww, he’s gorgeous!! And he’s lucked out finding you.

He’s beautiful

He’s lovely! He looks quite tall. I’m also admiring your staircase.

He’s a big’un. The lady who brought him said she wondered if he has some Maine Coon in him and he does have those kind of ears. He’s been a love so far, seems perfectly happy to stay snug under the bed but comes out for cuddles purring loudly when we pop in to see him. I’m torn about what to do with his food etc - do you think I should leave it in the downstairs room where he first saw it?

I’d just leave it in the room he’s chosen.

He looks like he has you well trained already. He's gorgeous!