Cats are ideal pets for seniors
A cat can make a perfect companion for an elderly person, especially if they live on their own. As people get older, friends die or move away, they become less mobile and tend to spend more time in their home. In these circumstances a cat makes an ideal antidote to loneliness.
The big advantage of a cat as a pet is that they need minimum exercise and unlike a dog does not need to be taken for walks. Many older people tend to downside and live in smaller homes such as bungalows or flats and again this can make a cat more suitable a pet than a dog.
The best cat for an elderly person could be an older cat rather than a kitten. An older cat will be easier to cope with than a frisky kitten and most rescue societies will have plenty of older cats looking for good homes. As an older person tends to spend more time in their home it should not take too long for the owner and pet to bond.
If it is possible before a cat comes into an old persons home they should get someone to install a cat flap. Having to get up and open the door to let cat in and out can be tiring and even a little frightening on dark nights.
If you are getting a cat on behalf of an elderly person there are some items that you will also need to get. Feeding and water bowls, litter and litter tray and a grooming brush are essentials. You will also need to check that in the event of the older person going away on holiday or to hospital that there will be someone who can look after the cat.
Another point to consider is that vets bills which can be expensive and a drain on resources for an older person who is on a limited budget. Therefore, it is advisable to take out a pet insurance policy to cover these costs.
One major concern for old people when they consider getting any pet is that they are worried that it will outlive them. In this case they are worried about what will happen to their pet after they are gone. These days there are several schemes run by organizations such as in the UK the RSPCA who will agree to take and try and find a home for any pets left behind after a persons death.
Older people usually have more time to spend with their pets and as a result a strong bond can be formed between owner and cat. So if you know any lonely old person you could suggest they take a cat as a pet.
