Top 10 Reasons to Adopt A Senior Cat ♥

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month and we want to challenge you to look behind the fluffy cuteness of a new puppy or kitten and see the beauty that older pets have to offer! Here are our top 10 reasons to adopt a senior cat (also be sure to check out our top 10 reasons to adopt a senior dog). For tips on caring for your older pet, ask us about Senior Pet Care 101.

  

Top 10 reasons to adopt a Senior Cat:

1. When senior cats are adopted, they seem to understand that they’ve been rescued, and are all the more thankful for it.

2. A senior cat’s personality has already developed, so you’ll know if he or she is a good fit for your family.

3. You can teach an old cat new tricks: Senior cats have the attention span and impulse control that makes them easier to train than their youthful counterparts.

4. A senior cat may very well already know basic household etiquette (like not attacking your feet at night) anyway!

5. In particular, senior cats are often already litter trained and are less likely to “forget” where the box is.

6. A senior cat won’t grow any larger, so you’ll know exactly how much cat you’re getting.

7. Senior cats are often content to just relax in your company, unlike younger cats, who may get into mischief because they’re bored.

8. Speaking of relaxing, senior cats make great napping buddies.

9. Senior cats often know that scratching posts (not furniture) are for scratching and toys (not hands or feet) are for biting.

10. Senior cats are some of the hardest to find homes for ~ so when you adopt a senior cat, you’re truly saving a life.

Choosing to adopt a senior cat is a life-saving choice, but don’t adopt one because you feel bad . . . . adopt one because they’re easy-going, instant companions.  When senior cats are surrendered it may be due to a life-altering change and is a last resort, however, we are finding that lately, this is not always the case.  An owner’s ill health, the birth of a child, allergies, senior pet illness, an unforeseen move or financial change; the reasons (or excuses) are many. Senior cats that end up in shelters are good cats with no place else to go.  No senior pet deserves to spend the last years of their life in a noisy, scary shelter. By choosing to adopt a senior cat you’re giving him, or her, a second chance at life.  ♥


The Gifted Pet is raising funds via Senior Pet Project to help keep senior pets in forever homes, as well as help seniors keep their pets. Won't you please support this very important cause?!

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Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to celebrate pets as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled with her online specialty pet boutiques (www.TheGiftedPet.com & www.PamperedPetEssentials.com), and premium pet food business (www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com)

For more information, please visit her Facebook page to PM her (www.facebook.com/TheGiftedPet)

Cat Adoption Made Simple

So, you're thinking about adopting a cat (or two)?! Even though adopting a cat is rewarding, it is a big step. To make it more doable, we’ve broken that big step down into a bunch of manageable steps. 

The week before: 

• Gather supplies! Most cats prefer a dust-free, unscented clumping litter. They also usually prefer a litter box without a lid. Your cat will need water and food bowls, toys and something to scratch. You already know where to go for the perfect cat food!

• Create a cozy space. As a species that can be both predator and prey, cats like somewhere they can feel secure and safe. There are added bonus points if this space has some height, which is one of the reasons cats love tall cat trees so much.

• Prepare a room. During the first few days, plan to have your cat contained to a smaller space like a laundry room or bathroom while she adjusts to her new surroundings. Once she’s feeling braver, she'll be ready to explore on her own.

• Prepare family members. If your family isn’t used to having a cat around, make sure they understand the basic rules about gentle play and giving the cat space when they make it clear they would rather be alone. Older kids can be assigned chores such as feeding, brushing and litter box cleanup (they love that one.) Younger kids, especially toddlers, will need direct supervision as they often do not understand gentle play.

The first day: 

• Congratulations, your cat is home! Now leave her alone. OK, maybe not entirely alone, but give her some time to explore her new surroundings without being stared at by multiple sets of strange eyes. If you have a dog, make sure he’s not sniffing loudly under the door or pawing at it thus scaring the heck out of the cat.

• Make sure you have food. Cats can be very finicky, and many refuse to adjust to a sudden change in food. Plan on several days minimum, and maybe even several weeks or more, to adjust to a new food. It will be worth the effort.

• Make a vet appointment. Always start a new life together with a clean bill of health! Vaccines may need updating, de-wormers may need to be given, and you’ll want to know if there are any health issues to be aware of.

The first few weeks:

• Be patient! Social kitties may come out and cuddle right away, but others need a little more time. Don’t push a cat who’s not ready to be held or petted. Over time their personality will shine through!

• Make that first vet visit. Ask the veterinarian if they are cat-friendly or use Fear Free practice guidelines, a new way of low-stress handling that minimizes the pet’s discomfort during visits. This is a great way to ensure a lifetime of good health!

• Course correct as needed. Remember, you and kitty are going through a transitional period. She needs to learn about you just like you’re learning about her. If she scratches in the wrong place, doesn’t want to sleep in the new bed you bought, or kicks litter all over the floor, take a deep breath and remember that it’s all going to be all right. Don’t be afraid to enlist the advice of a vet or cat behaviorist if you are concerned.

Just keep in mind, any new pet relationship may encounter some bumps, especially at the beginning. But, with love and patience, you too can make that deep connection and begin to forge a bond that will last a lifetime. It’s a lot of work, but well worth it to bring in a new family member!

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Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to celebrate pets (and ALL animals) as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled with her Holistic Healing, Animal Intuition, Aromatherapy, Animal Reiki (www.HolisticPetsAndPeeps.com & www.HealingOilsForAnimals.com), as well as her premium pet food business (http://www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com)

For more information, please visit her Facebook page to PM her (https://www.facebook.com/HolisticPetsNPeeps), or email her at HolisticPetsAndPeeps@gmail.com.