Adopting older cats

[Brazen]

Over the last few weeks I've been craving kitty company again, and in a moment of loneliness I posted about it on Facebook. A friend put me in contact with a friend of hers who is looking to rehome two cats aged eight and nine that belonged to his daughter who moved back to Sweden to be with her mother.

Given I live in a second floor flat  (third floor apartment in US-speak)I wouldn't have a new kitten or a cat that's already used to having access to the outdoors, as I think cats should be allowed to roam free, so on the face of it this indoor-raised pair are perfect. I'm going to call him tonight and ask to meet them.

The one crappy photo he sent for your reference:


But I do travel a bit for work - through usually no more than a couple of days at a time - and I would like to arrange an actual holiday this year. I couldn't ask my old man to drive around twice a day to feed them, so I'd have to negotiate with my next-door neighbour who has a cat (we're on speaking terms but not friends - we've never invited each other into our flats) or arrange a cat-sitting service, or get a friend to stay.

So maybe it would be selfish to have a pet at all.

Over to you, Languish, to offer opinions which I will in the end roundly ignore.

[Josquius]

The not being able to travel factor weighs heavily. But I would love some animals. And hey, with this age you get all the fun of a cat but the lifespan of a hamster.

[Viking]

I'm curious, whats the difference between option 1 and 5?

[Grey Fox]

When you die alone in your apartment would you rather

1) that your pets dies with you out of loyalty?
2) that your pets will eat your face?

Choose wisely.

[Brazen]

I'm curious, whats the difference between option 1 and 5?

Whether it's a good idea or not.

[lustindarkness]

Cats? No.

[Viking]

I'm curious, whats the difference between option 1 and 5?

Whether it's a good idea or not.

That depends, do you want to ever have sex again? and do you want to be a cat lady?

[Darth Wagtaros]

Get two if you travel. They can keep each other company.

[Brazen]

That depends, do you want to ever have sex again? and do you want to be a cat lady?

Yes. A lady with cats, but not a cat lady. So:



or



not

[Valmy]

I defer my vote until I hear from the board's leading cat experts.

[crazy canuck]

I would have thought 4 and 5 were closely linked.  For that reason I chose 4 as it will likely lead to 5.

[KRonn]

I've been going through similar decisions. Been wanting to get a cat, maybe a dog, but it comes to the point of if I really want to deal with the care of a pet. And if I travel, which isn't often, I'd have to make arrangements for someone to care for it.  I wouldn't mind having a cat but having the fur on furniture, cats also claw furniture, then the cat litter box. I just don't really want to deal with it. I wouldn't likely let it out much since coyotes have been seen in the neighborhood. A dog could be handy to help keep critters out of my backyard garden.

[Viking]

That depends, do you want to ever have sex again? and do you want to be a cat lady?

Yes. A lady with cats, but not a cat lady. So:

So you are saying 1 = 4?

This poll needs a jaron option.

[merithyn]

Yes.

Cats aren't like dogs. You can put a couple of days of food and water out and they'll be fine. The cat litter will need attention when you get home, but otherwise, the one- or two-day travel jaunts shouldn't be that big of a deal. (You will need to have someone check on them if you go on a true holiday, though. 24-48 hours is the most I'll leave my cats alone.)

And older cats are fine. Find out their quirks ("Do they wee on clothes left on the floor? Do they wake me up at 4:30am for breakfast?") and then make a decision, but I'd take them in.

[Barrister]

Yes.

Cats aren't like dogs. You can put a couple of days of food and water out and they'll be fine. The cat litter will need attention when you get home, but otherwise, the one- or two-day travel jaunts shouldn't be that big of a deal. (You will need to have someone check on them if you go on a true holiday, though. 24-48 hours is the most I'll leave my cats alone.)

And older cats are fine. Find out their quirks ("Do they wee on clothes left on the floor? Do they wake me up at 4:30am for breakfast?") and then make a decision, but I'd take them in.

I think I've let our cat alone for up to 4-5 days at a time, and lots of times for 3 day long weekends.  They'll be pissed off at you when you return, but they quickly get over it.