Veterinarian explains in detail what to consider when adopting an adult or senior cat

When you welcome a cat into your home, you might end up with an adult cat or a senior cat instead of a kitten. Most adult and senior cats become part of a family through shelters or adoption facilities, but welcoming an adult or senior cat requires a certain level of commitment.

This article will explain what to keep in mind when adopting an adult or senior cat.

Where to find adult and senior cats

Adult and senior cats are almost never found in pet shops. Currently, adult and senior cats are waiting for families at animal welfare centers, shelters, and adoption facilities. The cats in these facilities have various backgrounds, such as being unable to be kept in a general household, being rescued from multi-cat hoarding situations, or being rescued from breeding facilities.

These cats receive treatment and human socialization training at the facilities before attending adoption events. I have personally participated in adoption events at animal welfare centers, where only adult and senior cats were available for adoption, not kittens. Adult and senior cats lack the unique cuteness of kittens, so it's currently still difficult for them to be adopted.

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What are the requirements for adopting a rescue cat? A veterinarian explains preparations for welcoming one, including the living environment and costs.

Points to note when owning adult and senior cats

It's wonderful that adult and senior cats are now an option for adoption, thanks to the rescue cat boom. However, adopting an adult or senior cat requires both commitment and financial stability. Let's discuss the points to consider when adopting an adult or senior cat.

Difficult to socialize with humans

No matter how much human socialization training they receive at shelters, not all cats will become friendly with people. Rescue cats may have lived in harsh wild environments or even been abused by humans. Therefore, some cats may view humans as enemies and have a strong sense of caution towards them. You might imagine adult cats as calm and leading a leisurely life. However, if you adopt one expecting a cat that purrs on your lap, you might end up getting painful cat-punches every day.

Age can be difficult to determine

If you buy a kitten from a pet shop, you know its date of birth and thus its age. However, for rescued cats, the exact age is often unknown. For kittens rescued, their approximate age can be estimated from the condition of their deciduous and permanent teeth. But for adult cats and older, their age is estimated broadly based on the color and wear of permanent teeth, their appearance, and coat condition. Some cats may look young but are already in their senior years.

Not suitable for families

While a young adult cat of two or three years old might be suitable, adult cats nearing senior age (five or six years old) or senior cats (seven years and older) are not recommended for households with small children. Young children sometimes treat cats like toys. While this applies to cats of all ages, it can cause stress for the cat. For senior cats in particular, this can be a significant source of stress and may lead to health problems. Measures such as keeping children separate from the cat are necessary.

Ideally kept as a single cat

Once cats become adults, it takes time for them to adapt to a new environment. If there is already a resident cat, they may not be able to form a good relationship, which can cause stress for both. It is generally better to keep them as a single cat.

Potential for injuries or illnesses requiring treatment

Rescued adult and senior cats may have lived in harsh conditions. As a result, they often suffer from cat flu, feline AIDS, or feline leukemia. They may also have injuries from accidents that require treatment or have lasting sequelae. Especially for senior cats, they might already have chronic kidney disease, requiring frequent veterinary visits soon after adoption. Diseases in adult and older cats are often chronic, necessitating continuous veterinary care. Many people who adopt adult and senior cats do not have pet insurance. There is a possibility of incurring high medical expenses soon after adoption.

Consideration for care and end-of-life

With adult and senior cats, the need for nursing care and end-of-life care will arrive in the near future. The average lifespan of cats has recently extended to about 15 years. For senior cats, depending on the age at which they were adopted, nursing care may be necessary as early as two or three years. While you may wish for a long time together, the period of good health may not be long.

Commitment and financial stability are essential

As mentioned earlier, there are many unknowns regarding the personality and health of adult and senior cats. Among those who wish to adopt a cat from a shelter, it is not uncommon for them to feel a sense of superiority, thinking, "I'm amazing for adopting a rescue cat" or "I'm doing a good deed." Such individuals often do not research cat care methods or consider how much money it will cost. In the examination room, a common conversation occurs: if an adopted cat is diagnosed with an illness, owners often say, "It costs that much?" and choose not to pursue treatment. Moreover, there are cases where people try to return cats to the shelter because the cat doesn't get used to them.

For those adopting adult and senior cats, a firm commitment to the cat and financial stability are absolutely essential.

Summary

We have discussed the points to consider when adopting an adult or senior cat. Many adult and senior cats have likely endured a lot of hardship. If you are considering welcoming an adult or senior cat into your home, please do so with the strong resolve to "take care of this cat until the very end."