Do I give in a let the Mrs inherit a 10 year old cat?

R.O.S.S.I

R.O.S.S.I

R.O.S.S.I

Soldato
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Lets get the jokes out of the way first about 10 year old pussys and what not first!

We've not long been in our new house and the Mrs has been dropping hints about wanting a cat for a while now. Ideally we'd love a dog but we aren't home enough for it to be fair on the dog as we're out from 7:30am-4:30pm minimum each day.

Anyway - someone at her work is giving away their cat as they are leaving the country and it needs rehoming. The cat is quite a nice looking tabby cat and is 10 years old.

Now having never had a cat in my life I'm a bit conflicted with getting one as I think it would be good to have a pet in the house and cats being fairly low maintenance I've never looked after a cat before so I don't know what the major commitment is for a cat, let alone a 10 year old one.

We don't have any means of providing a cat flap so the cat would just have to be let out when we go to work and brought back in at night which I've no idea if this is ideal or not. And i'm unsure how well a 10 year old cat would take to being re-homed?

Then there are the health considerations too as i'm not sure how old cats live till or if it has any pre-existing health conditions etc.

Can anyone help me weigh up the pros and cons of the situation?
 
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Although I don't have a pet, I work with two cat obsessed owners and I've been told on good authority that owning a cat is very easy, just feed them 2-3 times a day. They sleep most of the day and don't need much looking after.
 
Cats are lame in general. They do nothing, yes it's no responability..but I feel like im their bitch. They only meow when they want food and then **** off. I dont understand how people get lonely or strong attachment to cats..or the sterotype die alone get a cat scenario haha
 
I have to admit, I too would worry about rehoming a 10 year old cat. If you do rehome it, I would keep it indoors for a few months so it's comfortable in your home.
 
I woundn't be adopting an animal which is reaching 'late middle age' in life expectancy terms as vets bills can be eye-wateringly expensive.
 
Sit on the fence - say you'll take it but only if they can't find another suitable home.

Cats will be fine without a cat flap, ours just sits on the windowsill waiting to be let in. Now she's old (10) she sleeps most of the day and evening only venturing out for a few hours during the night.

When we go away, we get a friend to call in twice a day and leave food.
 
Cats are extremely easy animals to have. Like you I spend long times away from home during the day and having a cat as a companion is great. For those that say they're pointless is rubbish. :)

I wasn't convinced about cats until I lived with one then I couldn't live without one ever again. I've had Tony for nearly 4 years and he makes us laugh everyday. He's ridiculously affectionate yet very independent. They're great pets :)

In terms of one thats middle aged, I'm not sure on that one...I don't know if you can get insurance on a cat thats over 10 years old, I'd check that out. If you can then I'd go for it.
 
Yes, cats are ace. Just get pet insurance (reconmend pet Plan) to cover any issues - they might insist on a "pre insurance check up" though. You could always say you'll only adopt the cat is the check up goes ok.

Don't get one freom the RSPCA though - they won't let you adopt if one of you isn't home all day (that's what they told me anyway when I was looking to adopt two kittens - daft isn't it?).
 
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If getting a cat I'd get one from a kitten personally, I've had mine for 11 years now from when she was 6 weeks old and we've been through a lot together. She's a friendly, predictable, manageable cat and that's all down to the first months of her life and training.

That's not to say that a 10 year old cat is going to be a savage douchecanoe hell bent on shredding your shirts and pooping on your pillow, but you don't know how the cat has been raised and settling a cat set in it's ways is going to be require a lot of focus.

But, the obvious attraction to rehoming a cat is giving the little blighter care and affection and doing something good so I can see why in spite of the above warnings that she'd want to. I guess it really comes down to how much of your lives you can dedicate to settling it in, which would be exactly the same for getting a kitten.
 
lawrence281 said:
I feel like im their bitch. They only meow when they want food
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Cats don't have owners, they have staff.


I've almost always had a cat or two in the house. They are fairly low maintenance and can be somewhat rewarding - and quite tedious at times. Such is the life of a pet owner.

When they puke/crap on the carpet - which they will at some point - you might regret giving in.

Nothing wrong with an old cat per se and might be better suited to adults. If you have kids then it's nice to have a kitten and they can grow up together.
 
I grew up with cats in the household, and my opinion on them is pretty low. Horrible bloody things they are.

An element of that might be that ours were particularly **** - pretty nervy and finicky, as well as all having a tendency to get really ****y with you of you stroked them too much. One or more of them also urinated around the house all the time, so it stank. They were all females - i understand spayed males are a lot more relaxed and friendly.

One was an elderly (approx age 10) rescue cat. It was no better than the rest, but at least it didn't last as long, with miles already on the clock.

We could do with a pet of some description, got kids of 5 and 2 and they would appreciate and benefit from something. But I really don't want to have to look after anything hard work, like a dog, and rabbits or rodents are not especially interactive, so might have to agree to a mog. Not pleased at the prospect.
 
Oh actually, the owner isn't leaving the country. The owner is an elderly gentleman who is now too old too look after it due to ill health so it needs rehoming.

I'm still not sold yet. How much of a time investment will a cat need do you think to be rehomed at this age? Is it going to be as simple as putting some food out and a litter tray and letting it get on with it? Do I have to keep it inside? Would it not just run off if we open the door to let it out?

Apparently it comes with lots of food already so thats one minor thing taken care of. I need more answers haha!
 
Cats require VERY little maintenance. When taking a cat somewhere new you have the food and litter tray ready, bring them in, show them where it is (literally pick them up and plonk it infront of them) let them have a sniff and leave them to it. They'll gradually explore, probably go and find somewhere to hide and come out in their own time...this may take a couple of days.

Cats generally come to you when they want affection, every cat is different. Keep it inside for a couple of weeks before letting it out. Why is a cat flap not an option if you don't mind me asking? They can be fitted to pretty much anything. :)

In terms of 'running' costs - providing it's had it's annual injections it's just a jab once a year along with a cat 'MOT' - this varies from vet to vet but this shouldn't be much (I think it costs me about £60 including the injection, honestly cannot remember though) Ask for the medical history with said feline and you'll be good to go!

Taking on a cat is new for everyone when it's their first time of course, you'll have unexpected surprises, but build the bond with the cat fast and you'll have a friend for life, you'll soon wonder how you lived without one.
 
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