Adopting a 12 year old cat-what do I need?

[Sparkles29]

I'm a previous dog owner so new to looking after a cat! What supplies are a must have? Sorry if I sound dumb!

Really good food at that age, Felix won't cut it. They have a tendency to get dental problems so possibly dry food suitable for that age group.
James Wellbeloved or similar.
My old girl now RIP was having dentals every two years on wet food and it's expensive but was much better on dry.
Litter box with hood, some old cats don't want to pee outside.
Nice soft cosy bed and possibly a heat pad as they feel the cold a lot at that age.

Thanks that's really helpful

A feliway plug in to help the cat settle. Other than that just the basics, litter tray and food bowls and maybe some catnip toys. Cats prefer wide shallow bowls as they don't like their whiskers touching the sides, they also prefer ceramic to plastic. Make sure to keep water bowl away from food bowl and both bowls well apart from litter tray. Try to find out what food they've been getting and get some of that in, introduce a new food gradually to avoid tummy upsets.
Thank you for taking on an oldie. I work with a shelter and some of our oldies have been with us such a long time as everyone wants kittens .

Thanks so much for that advice-hope we get to look after Humphrey, we should find out today!
Much appreciated

If you can get a litter tray with a low side it's then easier for them to get into when they get older and if they get stiff joints

please dont feed a cat entirely dried food. Its really bad for their kidneys as theyre not big drinkers. Its best to give the cat both wet and dry.
Id just see what the cat likes and feed him that

a big bank balance or other means to pay vet bills. insurance will be difficult to get at that age.

Mine do have just dry as they won't eat wet. They have a fountain and drink really well.

A scratch post!

I'd go for two litter trays if you have room!

Also, find out what litter they're currently using and stick to that for now. You don't want any dirty protests. Contrary to what pp have said, all my cats have a dry food diet (they get a small can between the 6 of them as an occasional treat) and they are all in good health, but they're all good drinkers too - they have an electric water fountain which does seem to encourage then to drink more.

You will need a tangle teaser and a metal comb/dog rake for that coat. And regular hygiene trims of his bum and bloomers

If he comes with insurance in place from the shelter, then do carry it on. Our OAP cats currently cost us just under £30 a month in insurance but they have paid out at least £2k in the past year because of what are now ongoing conditions, kidney, thyroid, blood pressure.
Sometimes a heat mat can be good for old joints, our older lady has a heat mat under the radiator so can get really cosy.

Sorry meant to say £30 each per month, one is 16 the other 11. The 16 year old is skinny as a rake and practically rattles with her pills but is still pottering around happily.

Dry food isn't necessarily better for teeth. In fact it can be worse as it sticks to their teeth, in the way that biscuits do to ours. And dry food, particularly for males, can make urinary and kidney problems worse. I would feed wet with perhaps some quality (James Wellbeloved, Applaws and such) dry available as a top up.

Really having an old cat isn't much different to having a young one - they just tend to be more chilled.