Cat's Name, Age, and Gender:
Captain, 20 (now deceased), Male
Best Characteristics of my Senior
Captain was the very smartest cat ever. This was a cat that could open kitchen cabinet doors. As he aged, he became more and more sweet and loving.
Challenges of Life With an Older Cat
Captain was hyperthyroid. A Maine Coon cat by breed, he turned into one of the longest, skinniest cats ever seen! He also had Kidney Disease but refused to eat the prescribed KD food. At one point, after a serious operation to remove a large hairball I had to force feed him. But he was worth it.
When, Where and How I Got My Cat
Captain was a present for my 8 year old daughter. We got him as a kitten and we never regretted what we paid for him. He was the one who came right over to us and was the most friendly of all the kittens. My daughter and I fell in love with him immediately. My only regret is that I didn't also buy his sister.
As a kitten, he would climb on my the furniture and, more often than not, I'd have to climb up to the top of the china closet and get him down. If I didn't get there fast enough, he would leap off the china closet onto the dining room table, which was how he earned the nickname, Kamakaze Kitten.
I'd Describe My Cat As…
Male Maine Coons are very silly and Captain was very true to his breed. He was very much the clown and would stand on the gate on the top of the stairs on three paws, bend over and grab his tail. He seemed to enjoy entertaining the family.
He only got sweeter and mellower with age. Though he had kidney disease, a heart murmur, hyperthyroid and suffered from hairballs, no one ever told him he was supposed to be dead, so he lived till he was 20. He was a trooper and even caught several mice (and presented us with them) when he was over the age of ten.
Advice
- Senior cats are great pets. Having lived through one cat's kittenhood, I must say that a senior cat is all the fun without any of the problems, such as litter box training, scratching, running through the house at breakneck speed, etc.
- My advice is to try to find a senior whose temperament and personality you will enjoy.
- Once you've made your commitment, do whatever must be done to keep him or her happy and healthy.
- Remember: most senior cats may be old but many of them crave attention. So, be sure to give plenty of one-on-one time.
- Also remember: no declawing. Declawing hurts.
