If you’re looking for a new furry friend, why not consider an older cat? Although kittens are also brilliant companions, adopting an older cat could be more suited to your lifestyle. As with rehoming any cat, it may take a while for your new family member to settle in so it’s a good idea to know how to help your cat feel settled in their new environment.
In this blog, we’ll be sharing some of our best advice and tips about rehoming senior cats, so they’re made to feel right at home!
Why Adopt an Older Cat?
There are many reasons why adopting an elderly cat is great, but here are some of our favourites:
- Defined personality—Older cats already have fully developed personalities, so you know what you're getting and what type of family they are suited to.
- Less supervision—Kittens are a real ball of energy, so they always need supervision. Senior cats require less constant attention and are less likely to be boisterously exploring their new home.
- Calmer temperament—Elderly cats tend to be quite laid-back, they’re often calmer and less destructive. They’ve been there and done that!
- Brilliant companions—Older cats make great companions and often form strong bonds with their new humans. They can be a loving companion for many years too, with some older cats living well into their teens or even into their twenties thanks to the advances in veterinary healthcare and nutrition.
Preparing Your Home for the Arrival of an Elderly Cat
When rehoming elderly cats, it’s important to prepare your home so your new feline friend feels as comfortable as possible in their new environment. If there’s one thing to know about older cats, it’s that they love to be comfortable! Set up a quiet room with all the essentials, such as food, water, a litter tray, a scratching post and a cozy bed.
Make sure that you also provide hiding spots for your new cat. Enclosed spaces like boxes or cat carriers are places where your cat can retreat to and feel safe. Don’t be offended if your new cat seems secluded when they arrive at their new home; it may take them some time to get used to the change!
If they are in their hiding spot, make sure to leave them there undisturbed unless it is an area that is dangerous for them to be in. It’s important to remember that your older cat may have more achy joints and find jumping up or down less comfortable, so providing an easy route to elevated areas can be appreciated.
If you want to help your new cat to feel even more at ease, use FELIWAY Optimum. Our diffuser uses calming messages to give cats a feeling of enhanced serenity. Simply plug the diffuser into the room where your new friend spends most of their time to see the effects.
Helping Them Settle In
Much like adopting a kitten, rehoming senior cats requires patience, understanding, and preparation. The most important thing is just taking each step at your new cat’s pace, especially with older cats, as they don’t tend to like being rushed! Some of the other things to remember when helping an older cat settle into their new home include:
- Have gradual introductions—Start introducing your new cat to just one room, then gradually allow them to explore the rest of the house once they have settled into their new space.
- Develop a routine—Make sure to maintain a consistent schedule. This can help your cat feel secure and start to learn the routine of your family life.
- Be patient—Give your cat time to adjust at their own pace. Avoid forcing interactions and always let them choose to come to you.
- Check their health—Schedule a vet visit to ensure your new cat is healthy, to address any medical needs, and to make sure they are registered at the clinic. With an older cat, it is important to get any changes checked out by your vet, as their health can change quicker than for a younger cat.
- Keep their resources accessible—Ensure your new older cat can access their resources easily. Have multiple options and pay attention to their previous preferences that are shared with you. Make sure the resources are in suitable places for an older cat to access so they’re not straining themselves and they have enough warmth.
Building a Bond with Your Senior Cat
Building a bond after adopting a senior cat is a heartwarming experience. Senior cats enjoy building bonds with their new human companions, and although they may not be as agile as their younger counterparts, they still enjoy a lot of the same things.
Much like helping them settle in, building a bond after rehoming a senior cat takes time. When developing your bond with your new furry friend, here are some things we recommend:
- Respect Their Space—Allow your cat to come to you when they feel comfortable. Avoid overwhelming them with attention and let them feel like they have the choice to ‘get away’ to a safe space if they want to.
- Involve play—Even older cats like playing! Some good first toys to play with your new cat are fishing rods and wand toys, as you are still able to have some distance between you, which your new cat can appreciate.
- Positive reinforcement—Reward your cat with treats and praise whenever they are demonstrating a behaviour you’d like repeated.
- Routine and familiarity—Make sure your new routine factors in quality time with your cat. A routine is not just about feeding time, refreshing water bowls, and cleaning litter trays! Dedicate time to play together to find out what kind of things your cat enjoys.
- Gentle interaction—Spend time near your new cat, talking softly or reading aloud to help them get used to your presence. If they come to you, start a gentle interaction such as stroking them on their cheeks or giving them a slow blink. You can also start watching out for their body language and the vocalizations they use to let you know how they’re feeling.
If you’d like to know more about rehoming senior cats and helping them settle in, check out all our other fantastic blogs online! Or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch—we’ll be delighted to share all the insights we can. And while you’re here, don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date with all our latest news, articles, and products.