We have a lovely sweet somewhat timid 18 year old cat who we've had since she was 6. She is indoor only so has not been exposed to other pets. She has kidney disease but is still doing well despite that. We've often felt bad that she didn't have a companion but were never sure if it would be too stressful for her to bring another kitty in the house. On the one hand, maybe she'd enjoy it especially when we aren't home, like on vacations, etc. Maybe they would bond and she would be maternal towards a younger cat. She is rather petite herself so it would probably need to be a much smaller cat./kitten. On the other hand, maybe it would cause her too much stress and reduce her lifespan if that kind of thing is possible. What are your thoughts and experiences on this issue? Thanks!
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Can an elderly cat adjust to a new cat in household?
- Thread starter roziers4
- Start Date
Hi @roziers4
I don't have experience in this matter, but I think considering your lovely kitty's age, and her medical condition, adding another cat to the mix might cause her a lot of stress, and might cause her condition to worsen.
I think that she has grown quite accustomed to being the only kitty, since for at least the past 12 years of her life she has been with you guys she has been an only cat.
Cats are not like humans, and not all are social, and some actually prefer to be on their own, or to be the solitary cat. She may just either be accustomed to it, or prefers to be alone, by now, and adding another a cat, especially a kitten could have a negative impact on her.
It is at your discretion what you decide to do. and if you should wish to adopt another cat, i will suggest getting an older cat, a cat that is already an adult, and similar to her size and demeanor. A kitten will cause great stress if she were were to interact with the kitten...as the kitten would only want to play and be energetic and active, where as your cat will most likely not want any part of that...
I have some fairly strong opinions about this.
I honestly do think it might be a pleasure for your kitty to have a companion, although it would have been best to have done this many years ago.
However, if you understand the concept of my opinions of who would make the best fit for your cat, I believe it will end up to be a very good thing.
Your best bet would most definitely be a male cat, an older, mature guy, and shy with people, semi-feral.
Here is why-
Females are dominant over males, you never want to put another female in the home with a female who has been queen of the castle for all these years, that's just a no-go.
Males will not try to take over the home and are accepting that the females run the show. So no intimidation there.
Older, meaning no kitten-ish play, no taunting, a calm companion. Kittens really stress out older cats, they have no boundaries at all and will tease and literally torture your old girl.
She will retreat and hide, and you certainly don't want this.
Shy/semi-feral is by far best because for one, the initial meet will be simple, he will find a hiding spot and remain there for a while. Until he is secure enough to start coming out when you are not home, and of course in time will come out fine when you are, but it gives an excellent opportunity for your girl to establish herself, which comes much easier when she has no feelings of "left out" or "replaced" or seeing you interacting much with the newbie.
It's almost like getting HER a companion rather than you.
A shy/semi-feral cat will submit to her immediately, which she will soon welcome rather than watching her family interact with an attention seeking, active cat as a highly social and/or younger cat will.
The last but certainly not the least reason is, semi-ferals/shy cats are the underdogs, they are hard to adopt out, as most people don't want to take the time to allow the new kitty to come around, they want it on their laps right away, etc.
It is no fault of the shy kitty, it's not their fault they weren't lucky enough to have a loving stable home. Many were found as kittens, cute all spunky, and then they grew up and were left behind and uncared for, etc.
It's too bad that more people don't realize that, with a little time given, that shy cat will become one of the best cats they can imagine having. They are so grateful for a good home, and it shows.
Plus as I said, make great companions to older/senior cats, rather than how often we see people get a new kitten in the home and wonder why their old cat hides and acts so upset and unhappy......
You might literally be saving a cat's life. They will only keep them in shelters for so long, and then they are euthanized due to lower chance of being chosen.
I honestly do think it might be a pleasure for your kitty to have a companion, although it would have been best to have done this many years ago.
However, if you understand the concept of my opinions of who would make the best fit for your cat, I believe it will end up to be a very good thing.
Your best bet would most definitely be a male cat, an older, mature guy, and shy with people, semi-feral.
Here is why-
Females are dominant over males, you never want to put another female in the home with a female who has been queen of the castle for all these years, that's just a no-go.
Males will not try to take over the home and are accepting that the females run the show. So no intimidation there.
Older, meaning no kitten-ish play, no taunting, a calm companion. Kittens really stress out older cats, they have no boundaries at all and will tease and literally torture your old girl.
She will retreat and hide, and you certainly don't want this.
Shy/semi-feral is by far best because for one, the initial meet will be simple, he will find a hiding spot and remain there for a while. Until he is secure enough to start coming out when you are not home, and of course in time will come out fine when you are, but it gives an excellent opportunity for your girl to establish herself, which comes much easier when she has no feelings of "left out" or "replaced" or seeing you interacting much with the newbie.
It's almost like getting HER a companion rather than you.
A shy/semi-feral cat will submit to her immediately, which she will soon welcome rather than watching her family interact with an attention seeking, active cat as a highly social and/or younger cat will.
The last but certainly not the least reason is, semi-ferals/shy cats are the underdogs, they are hard to adopt out, as most people don't want to take the time to allow the new kitty to come around, they want it on their laps right away, etc.
It is no fault of the shy kitty, it's not their fault they weren't lucky enough to have a loving stable home. Many were found as kittens, cute all spunky, and then they grew up and were left behind and uncared for, etc.
It's too bad that more people don't realize that, with a little time given, that shy cat will become one of the best cats they can imagine having. They are so grateful for a good home, and it shows.
Plus as I said, make great companions to older/senior cats, rather than how often we see people get a new kitten in the home and wonder why their old cat hides and acts so upset and unhappy......
You might literally be saving a cat's life. They will only keep them in shelters for so long, and then they are euthanized due to lower chance of being chosen.
