If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Advice Needed for Adopting Adult Cats
The time has come for us to open our hearts to some kitties who need a
permanent home. It has been a long time since we adopted cats, and they have always been kittens. This time, we would like to adopt two adult cats together, preferably two who have been companions. I have never adopted adult cats before, only kittens, and need to know how to make the transition from shelter to new home less stressful for the cats. They will have full run of the house, and will be indoor only. There are no children or other animals in the house. They will have several scratching posts and toys, as well as a cat shelf and a cat tree near windows. We are not newbies to cats, only to adopting adult cats! Any advice on what to expect when adopting adult cats would be appreciated! Lee |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
"Lee" wrote in message oups.com... The time has come for us to open our hearts to some kitties who need a permanent home. It has been a long time since we adopted cats, and they have always been kittens. This time, we would like to adopt two adult cats together, preferably two who have been companions. I have never adopted adult cats before, only kittens, and need to know how to make the transition from shelter to new home less stressful for the cats. They will have full run of the house, and will be indoor only. There are no children or other animals in the house. They will have several scratching posts and toys, as well as a cat shelf and a cat tree near windows. We are not newbies to cats, only to adopting adult cats! Any advice on what to expect when adopting adult cats would be appreciated! Lee Congratulations! You're going to love it. In many ways, it will be easier (just not as cute) to adopt adult cats. I do strongly recommend that you adopt a pair of cats that have been companions (just as you suggested). Many animal shelters have cats that are accustomed to each other, and tragically find they often have to break up the pair in order to adopt. You could also look on www.petfinder.com. If it so happens that you cannot locate a pair, then please adopt one and wait awhile before adopting a second cat. Each one would need a period of adjustment. Assuming that you do adopt the two together, it would be a good idea to confine the cats in a single room (perhaps a bedroom) for the first few days, especially during the time when you can be home. Again, this gives them an opportunity to become acclimated to their new home. You have already mentioned the arrangements I would have suggested -- cat tree near windows, scratching posts (tall, sturdy ones that will not topple on an adult cat when used), and toys. Everything sounds great, and I think you are "set to go"! Please keep us updated. MaryL |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Hi Lee,
Where do you live? (The no-kill where I volunteer has a beautiful set of 2 year old brothers - lol). I echo what Mary said - sounds like a good set-up and you will be doing a wonderful thing by keeping together a pair who love each other. Do use Petfinder as well, it can totally help you identify a likely suspect or two .... (and e-mail me if you're anywhere near the Bay Area). |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
On Wed 18 May 2005 03:41:59p, Lee wrote in
rec.pets.cats.health+behav roups.com): The time has come for us to open our hearts to some kitties who need a permanent home. It has been a long time since we adopted cats, and they have always been kittens. This time, we would like to adopt two adult cats together, preferably two who have been companions. I have never adopted adult cats before, only kittens, and need to know how to make the transition from shelter to new home less stressful for the cats. They will have full run of the house, and will be indoor only. There are no children or other animals in the house. They will have several scratching posts and toys, as well as a cat shelf and a cat tree near windows. We are not newbies to cats, only to adopting adult cats! Any advice on what to expect when adopting adult cats would be appreciated! Lee Aww! Bless you for deciding on adults! Many rescue orgs that have fostering programs have foster parents who care for lots of cats at a time and they can tell you which ones get along great. Then there are some that they just refuse to split up and it makes it harder to get them adopted. You'll definitely get lots of input from fosterers! If there are Petcos or Petsmarts in your area that do adoption shows on the weekends, I'd go to some of them and talk to the volunteers. Even if they didn't bring a bonded pair with them, they likely have some at home that got to skip a show that week. Good luck! -- Cheryl "The clever cat eats cheese and breathes down rat holes with baited breath." - W.C. Fields |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
|
#6
|
|||
|
|||
"Lee" wrote in message oups.com... wrote: Hi Lee, Where do you live? (The no-kill where I volunteer has a beautiful set of 2 year old brothers - lol). I echo what Mary said - sounds like a good set-up and you will be doing a wonderful thing by keeping together a pair who love each other. Do use Petfinder as well, it can totally help you identify a likely suspect or two .... (and e-mail me if you're anywhere near the Bay Area). I live far away from the Bay Are, but Petfinders has been a fabulous resource. We have several no-kill shelters in the area also. I am certain that our biggest problem will be not being able to take in more than just 2 cats! I bet. I just wanted to say that I think it is a fabulous idea to adopt 2 adult cats. I have only adopted adults and have never been sorry-- and only cats are just not as happy as cats with feline companions. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
MaryL wrote: Congratulations! You're going to love it. In many ways, it will be easier (just not as cute) to adopt adult cats. I do strongly recommend that you adopt a pair of cats that have been companions (just as you suggested). Many animal shelters have cats that are accustomed to each other, and tragically find they often have to break up the pair in order to adopt. You could also look on www.petfinder.com. If it so happens that you cannot locate a pair, then please adopt one and wait awhile before adopting a second cat. Each one would need a period of adjustment. Assuming that you do adopt the two together, it would be a good idea to confine the cats in a single room (perhaps a bedroom) for the first few days, especially during the time when you can be home. Again, this gives them an opportunity to become acclimated to their new home. You have already mentioned the arrangements I would have suggested -- cat tree near windows, scratching posts (tall, sturdy ones that will not topple on an adult cat when used), and toys. Everything sounds great, and I think you are "set to go"! Please keep us updated. MaryL Thanks for the guidance! Our intent is to find a pair. I know from Petfinders that they are out there in our region, and since age is not a factor, I expect our biggest problem will be narrowing our choices. I am, however, concerned about keeping them confined for the first few days. Our house is open concept. The only rooms with doors are the two bedrooms and the bathrooms. Would it overwhelm the cats to let them wander and discover (and hide if they feel like it) at their own pace? And how do you "teach" an older cat where the litterxes are, anyway? |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
MaryL wrote: Congratulations! You're going to love it. In many ways, it will be easier (just not as cute) to adopt adult cats. I do strongly recommend that you adopt a pair of cats that have been companions (just as you suggested). Many animal shelters have cats that are accustomed to each other, and tragically find they often have to break up the pair in order to adopt. You could also look on www.petfinder.com. If it so happens that you cannot locate a pair, then please adopt one and wait awhile before adopting a second cat. Each one would need a period of adjustment. Assuming that you do adopt the two together, it would be a good idea to confine the cats in a single room (perhaps a bedroom) for the first few days, especially during the time when you can be home. Again, this gives them an opportunity to become acclimated to their new home. You have already mentioned the arrangements I would have suggested -- cat tree near windows, scratching posts (tall, sturdy ones that will not topple on an adult cat when used), and toys. Everything sounds great, and I think you are "set to go"! Please keep us updated. MaryL Thanks for the guidance! Our intent is to find a pair. I know from Petfinders that they are out there in our region, and since age is not a factor, I expect our biggest problem will be narrowing our choices. I am, however, concerned about keeping them confined for the first few days. Our house is open concept. The only rooms with doors are the two bedrooms and the bathrooms. Would it overwhelm the cats to let them wander and discover (and hide if they feel like it) at their own pace? And how do you "teach" an older cat where the litterboxes are, anyway? |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Show the cats where the litter boxes are several times during the day (if
you don't confine them). .. I think it is easier to confine them for the first few days as it makes them feel more secure and less frightened. Petfinders is wonderful. Most of the cats I have adopted (or adopted me) were adults. Gail (just not as cute) to adopt adult cats. I do strongly recommend that you adopt a pair of cats that have been companions (just as you suggested). Many animal shelters have cats that are accustomed to each other, and tragically find they often have to break up the pair in order to adopt. You could also look on www.petfinder.com. If it so happens that you cannot locate a pair, then please adopt one and wait awhile before adopting a second cat. Each one would need a period of adjustment. Assuming that you do adopt the two together, it would be a good idea to confine the cats in a single room (perhaps a bedroom) for the first few days, especially during the time when you can be home. Again, this gives them an opportunity to become acclimated to their new home. You have already mentioned the arrangements I would have suggested -- cat tree near windows, scratching posts (tall, sturdy ones that will not topple on an adult cat when used), and toys. Everything sounds great, and I think you are "set to go"! Please keep us updated. MaryL Thanks for the guidance! Our intent is to find a pair. I know from Petfinders that they are out there in our region, and since age is not a factor, I expect our biggest problem will be narrowing our choices. I am, however, concerned about keeping them confined for the first few days. Our house is open concept. The only rooms with doors are the two bedrooms and the bathrooms. Would it overwhelm the cats to let them wander and discover (and hide if they feel like it) at their own pace? And how do you "teach" an older cat where the litterboxes are, anyway? |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
"Lee" wrote in message oups.com... MaryL wrote: Congratulations! You're going to love it. In many ways, it will be easier (just not as cute) to adopt adult cats. I do strongly recommend that you adopt a pair of cats that have been companions (just as you suggested). Many animal shelters have cats that are accustomed to each other, and tragically find they often have to break up the pair in order to adopt. You could also look on www.petfinder.com. If it so happens that you cannot locate a pair, then please adopt one and wait awhile before adopting a second cat. Each one would need a period of adjustment. Assuming that you do adopt the two together, it would be a good idea to confine the cats in a single room (perhaps a bedroom) for the first few days, especially during the time when you can be home. Again, this gives them an opportunity to become acclimated to their new home. You have already mentioned the arrangements I would have suggested -- cat tree near windows, scratching posts (tall, sturdy ones that will not topple on an adult cat when used), and toys. Everything sounds great, and I think you are "set to go"! Please keep us updated. MaryL Thanks for the guidance! Our intent is to find a pair. I know from Petfinders that they are out there in our region, and since age is not a factor, I expect our biggest problem will be narrowing our choices. I am, however, concerned about keeping them confined for the first few days. Our house is open concept. The only rooms with doors are the two bedrooms and the bathrooms. Would it overwhelm the cats to let them wander and discover (and hide if they feel like it) at their own pace? And how do you "teach" an older cat where the litterxes are, anyway? No, it really won't be a problem if you let them wander. My suggestion was made to (1) give them time to adjust to the new home and (2) have them in a location where you will know where to find them. However, that is not at all essential, so I wouldn't worry about the open floor plan. As to "finding" the litterboxes, they would probably do that on their own. Nevertheless, it would be a good idea to set them down beside one of the litterboxes once just to make it "easy" for them. I have always found that adults cats instinctively know what to do with the boxes! If one of the boxes happens to be in one of the rooms with doors, you could open their carriers in that room and close the door for just a short time. If not -- still no problem, as far as I am concerned. Thanks for adopting adult cats. Kittens are much more easily placed, yet adult cats can often have many advantages over kittens. MaryL |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Rules for Care and Feeding of Stray Cats | Cathi | Cat anecdotes | 1 | May 3rd 05 12:36 PM |
advice re moving cats to new locale | dan glenn | Cat health & behaviour | 18 | June 25th 04 11:41 AM |
cat trivia | Frank | Cat health & behaviour | 40 | June 16th 04 04:15 AM |
Scapegoats and Feral Cats | James Marz | Cat health & behaviour | 4 | May 29th 04 03:06 AM |
Opinions on fatty liver/possible pancreatitis problem | Underwood | Cat health & behaviour | 80 | April 10th 04 03:57 AM |