Senior Cat?

stillstending · Jan 20, 2015

I am wanting to adopt a cat from one of our local shelters, and I have a few "favorites" picked out. One is an 8 yo male Ragdoll/SImaese mix, and the other is a 2 yo female Manx mix. I've been researching everything I can think of online before I decide to adopt one, but after doing some research, I'm a little concerned about adopting an older male. What do you guys consider a "senior"? Do male cats actually have more health related issues than female cats, or am I just being paranoid? At what age do "senior" health problems typically start showing up? Should I be concerned about his diet prior to coming to the shelter? Could it eventually cause health problems even if I'm feeding quality wet food? Should I mix wet and dry? I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!

stillstending · Jan 20, 2015

Also, the male is declawed, and female is not.

nora1 · Jan 20, 2015

Personally, I would go with the personality of the cat, over the age/breed mix. Is one more outgoing, playful, and loving than the other? I would consider these traits as well as age. Age can definitely play a role in vet bills. Do both cats currently have a clean bill of health?

I would probably go with the younger female to be honest. I prefer female cats, which is just an honest preference. I always worry that male cats will develop spraying or UTI issues. I've also heard that declawed cats can also develop issues when they become older, which sometimes involves their litter box usage.

As for being "senior"....it depends on the individual cat and it's background/history. Cats can live 20+ years so really, I see a senior cat at the age of 12/13+ which is when some people start to use vitamins and supplements.

For food, when I adopted my female cat from the shelter, I realized she was on all dry, cheap food! It took a very long time to switch her onto an all wet diet, but it's possible! Just stick with the food she/he is used to for several weeks, before switching! I also highly recommend including wet food as part of their daily meals. When I switched my cat onto 100% grain free canned meals, her coat changed and became so smooth and silky, and she became even more active and playful! (She was 1 when we adopted her, now she's 2).

Anyways, just my opinion on the matter, nothing scientific

Is there anyway you can adopt both!?? Senior cats need love too!

abby2932 · Jan 20, 2015

I have to say that I prefer male cats, though don't tell my girl I said that!

I have 2 cats, a 8 year old boy and a 3 year old girl. I've had cats all my life but these are the two that I have now.

I find that male cats are real "mama's boys" and my female cats have been more independent and aloof! My little man, comes whenever I call him, puts up with my incessant kisses and snuggles, etc. My girls, on the other hand, do like to show affection but only when THEY say so!

However, each cat has a different personality and you never know who will fit you best until you bring one home! Spoiler alert...you will probably fall in love with whatever cat you pick, there are usually no regrets.

The reason why they say that male cats have more health problems than female cats is because of urinary tract issues and blockages. Males of any species have smaller urethras than females. Not that females cannot develop these illnesses but males are more prone to it. Diet plays a huge role and urinary blockages. The more wet food you give them the less chance that they will has bladder issues. Even if it is only 50 percent of their diet that is better than and all dry diet.

manemelissa · Jan 20, 2015

I would choose whatever cat appeals to you personality-wise AND the cat that will fit with your lifestyle. 8 years is starting to get up there. Not quite senior age, but obviously he has a much shorter time left before he may start to develop medical needs. If you are on a budget and aren't sure if you can take on such medical needs, you may want to get the female. But yeah, I would see which one feels more like a match when you check them out. Ask the staff too! When I got Belle, the staff told me that she was a talker, which I loved because my brother's cat had been a big talker and I loved it!

Wet food only is the best diet, but I personally feed both wet and dry. I live on a budget, and I like that I have an option to leave dry food out for my cat when I have to leave overnight or for a day. I would have to either board her or get a friend/hire someone to come feed her if she was on a wet-only diet and I wanted to go out of town.

misty8723 · Jan 21, 2015

I would go with your heart, not breed or age. Which of the two do you feel more bonded with? Is your heart telling you one thing, and your head another? Go with your heart.

We have a male cat who is about 9 or so, and he hasn't had many health problems (knock wood). Of our two female cats, Cindy had a two year battle with cancer. After she passed, we wanted to get a young cat so we could recover from the massive medical bills we had piled up for Cindy. Darcy was 7 months old when we adopted her. She never made it to 9 months thanks to FIP. Also, whoever upthread said boys are real "mama's boys," that definitely describes my Swanie.

jcat · Jan 21, 2015

It's always a roll of the dice as far as health problems are concerned. Our last cat (male) had no "major" problems till he was over 10. Our current male was 9 months old when we adopted him in 2013, and his vet bills have run into the thousands, plus he needs a special diet.

Personality should be the deciding factor, and definitely talk to the shelter workers about it and spend time with both cats.

The male's adoption chances are probably lower than the female's, not only due to the age difference, but because a lot of people mistakenly believe females will be cuddlier.

stillstending · Jan 21, 2015

Nora1 said:
Personally, I would go with the personality of the cat, over the age/breed mix. Is one more outgoing, playful, and loving than the other? I would consider these traits as well as age. Age can definitely play a role in vet bills. Do both cats currently have a clean bill of health?

I would probably go with the younger female to be honest. I prefer female cats, which is just an honest preference. I always worry that male cats will develop spraying or UTI issues. I've also heard that declawed cats can also develop issues when they become older, which sometimes involves their litter box usage.

As for being "senior"....it depends on the individual cat and it's background/history. Cats can live 20+ years so really, I see a senior cat at the age of 12/13+ which is when some people start to use vitamins and supplements.

For food, when I adopted my female cat from the shelter, I realized she was on all dry, cheap food! It took a very long time to switch her onto an all wet diet, but it's possible! Just stick with the food she/he is used to for several weeks, before switching! I also highly recommend including wet food as part of their daily meals. When I switched my cat onto 100% grain free canned meals, her coat changed and became so smooth and silky, and she became even more active and playful! (She was 1 when we adopted her, now she's 2).

Anyways, just my opinion on the matter, nothing scientific

Is there anyway you can adopt both!?? Senior cats need love too!

I wish there was because I'd do it in a heartbeat! They're both very sweet, and I've got a soft spot for seniors because I know they sit in the shelters so much longer than the youngsters! Poor babies.

Unfortunately, the male has to be an only cat.

Senior Cat?

stillstending

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stillstending

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nora1

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abby2932

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manemelissa

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misty8723

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stillstending

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