I had two cats who passed and about 10 or so one got chronically sick which change everything at home. So now I adopted an 11 year old rescue and she acts like 6 or 7 year old. I love it. I've been so depressed and she makes me actually laugh.

So I am just curious because she is considered elderly. So is she young for her age? She's had a hard life so maybe now she is making up for lost time? Or is this normal?

The only concern is when I need to go back to work. I usually play with her 2-3 times a day. Since she had such a hard life I feel like its important to keep her happy

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bluekoi]

I have two cats age 10. Their both very playful with each other and enjoy hunting in the house. I grow catnip (you can buy at the nursery in a 4" pot $3.50) for them. They love playing chase with a piece of felt dipped in catnip. I tie a string to it and drag it along the floor. As soon as I lift it up they will bat at it. It's good fun. Remember to take the string off if playing unsupervised. They also love small soft balls or fake mousies they can carry around! Cats sleep a lot. Your kitty should be fine alone during the day. Play with her when you get home from work.

[winter4me]

My cats are 13, and they still play-----catnip is always fun

[gnat]

My cat is 15. She isn't as playful as a kitten, but still runs, kills things, and chases her delusions. Cats do fine when left though. When I leave for work or whatever else, she seems content, yet is always happy to be reunited. She comes to greet me whenever I come home. The longer I'm gone, the better my greeting.

Thanks for your replies. She seems very happy to be here. It is so nice to have someone else to focus on besides myself.

The reason I am concerned about leaving her for 8-10 hours a day all week is she was kept in a dark basement for at least a year. Nobody knows for sure. The shelter thought she really needs more attention so they were hoping for somebody that would be home. Normally I can work at home but unfortunately I probably won't be able to for a while. I'll have to play it by ear. I am ok with having somebody come over for an hour. They can clean the litter box too

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[spoiledprince]

Originally Posted by Michanne

Thanks for your replies. She seems very happy to be here. It is so nice to have someone else to focus on besides myself.

The reason I am concerned about leaving her for 8-10 hours a day all week is she was kept in a dark basement for at least a year. Nobody knows for sure. The shelter thought she really needs more attention so they were hoping for somebody that would be home. Normally I can work at home but unfortunately I probably won't be able to for a while. I'll have to play it by ear. I am ok with having somebody come over for an hour. They can clean the litter box too

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

It can be tough for cats to be alone for a while, but they usually sleep between 12 and 16 hours, I'm sure if you left out some toys and nice places for her to nap, maybe an open window or Cat T.V. on, she'll be just fine. Hope everything goes well, much luck to you.

Yep! I have been knitting toys for her which she loves. And I love making them so some of them will go to the shelter. Lately she has been sleeping less then me. Tells you the state I am in

[-jimi-]

My older cat is 15 and he has never been big on any toys, they bore him fast. He always loved the laser pointer though and still does. That is his favorite toy, sometimes he also loves playing with my hair but that hurts! LOL.

One of my previous cats figured it out... Looked at the pointer and then the light. His reaction was kind of like discovering OZ. My other cat soon followed suit. My new cat has zero interest. Guess I'll save it for presentations

[Webgoji]

Originally Posted by winter4me

My cats are 13, and they still play-----catnip is always fun

[Webgoji]

Originally Posted by winter4me

My cats are 13, and they still play-----catnip is always fun

[possum220]

I don't think that cats ever get tired of toys. If you can find a box and put one of those balls with a bell in it they will try and get it out. Go to a pet store and they have heaps of toys. Its always good to be interacting with a cat for your sake too. Older cats do sleep more... depending on the season. But they will always like to play.

[Auntie2014]

Unless you live in a basement and all windows are covered kitty should be OK while you are gone.

[Citrine]

The only time I see a cat that wont play is through either emotional or physical problems and then theres the time when they cant be bothered,` its nap time dont you know!!' or `Im watching stuff out the window, go away' Love that you have adopted Michanne and that shes an older girl too. Have you any idea how happy you are making her? and that perhaps youve shaved a few years off her anyway with your gift of a kind home no wonder shes full of beans! Bless you.

Yeah I see your problem re work. I too have the same( damn work! must win lottery!) If you get up 10 min earlier and once shes ate etc, play for 10. You will find that they tend to sleep when were not around anyway. Get in and greet and play again (and whenever) (this is how I manage my kitty boys happy time) Other than that he has safe small toys (no strings on them)big paper bags and boxes to muck about with when Im out. However Im sure he uses none of them when Im not around.

p.s be very careful with those fishing rod type toys as they can get a bit wrapped up in them, can be very dangerous.

[shabur]

CONGRATULATIONS on your new friend. And thank you for saving a life. There are over 19 million shelter animals that are euthanized each year for no other reason than they have no home.

I have a near 14 yo and a 10 yo and both are still very playful. But they do spend a lot of time sleeping during the day. Cats on average spend 14 - 16 hours a day sleeping.

Also, with the advances that have been made in veterinary medicine life expediencies for cats are 15 - 20 years, if not older. I know a cat that lived until 33 and the oldest cat on record was 42. Both of their lives were very active until about 2 weeks before they passed. Barring any hereditary or genetic issues, with good food, regular medical care and a loving, stimulating home there's no reason a cat can't live a long life.

I volunteer at an animal rescue were I do adoption counseling and am also one of their resources when they get calls about cat behaviors.

Cats are social and, unless they demonstrate they have no desire to have another cat or pet, you may want to consider introducing another cat. (If you do bring in another pet, there is a process you need to go through for a successful relationship between the two. If the shelter you adopt from doesn't go over this with you feel free to contact me.)

Or you can get your cat a stuffed animal about the size of your cat - child-proofed so no buttons, ribbons, bells or anything they can chew off and swallow. It will be something he/she can snuggle up to.

When we bring animals in, they start their journey to their "furrever" home in our clinic where they are given a full vet exam (we treat anything that the animal has - we are no kill, vaccinations and spay/neuter surgeries). While at our clinic they are kept in cages for their safety. When cats/kittens come in alone we give them a stuffed animal for them to snuggle with when they are either sick or until a volunteer comes to play with them.

We also have a foster program for our animals. If you are considering getting a second pet, see if your shelter has one. If you do either adopt or foster, look for a pet that has a similar personality as your cat, but know that what you see in the shelter is not going to be their true personality. Once they come into a home and are settled in their personality really blooms. Fostering allows you to see if your cat wants a friend and if not, you've made no investment and you know that your cat doesn't want a friend. Fostering for shelters allows them to take in more animals without euthanizing to make room for another animal. For us, it allows us to save more lives.

Once they are transferred to our adoption center they are put into suites with other cats (no cages there!!!) Our volunteers, including me, spend time in the suites, playing, petting, socializing and getting to know each cat's personality so that when people come wanting to adopt we can better match the cat to the family's household. We are pretty successful. Last year we placed over 5,800 puppies, kittens, dogs and cats into their "furrever" homes.

Which ever way you go, be sure to not lock up your cat in a dark, dank room. Be sure your window shades are open so your cat can sit in the sunshine and look out your window.

Good luck.

Wow, those are some great ideas. I especially like the idea of a stuffed animal. I think I even have some furry fabric to sew one. The shelter sounds much smaller but has similar setup and policies. They also require you sign an agreement not to declaw and they must be indoor (lots of coyotes and foxes even in the city). One reason I picked her out is she wants to be the only cat. She is declawed unfortunately.

Since she had been there so long the facility owner was able to tell me a lot about her which was wonderfully helpful. It is nice to know they can safely take care of them for life if necessary. I do not know if she was ever in a foster home. I am not closed to another cat if it is in her best interest but having had two cats for many years I kind of like just being devoted to one. If I did decide to get another I would try first at the same shelter since they are so familiar with her. I can't imagine they are going to forget her anytime soon They are too far away to volunteer and I am rather broke right now but I am making a bunch of cat toys for them.

Yep her demeanor totally started to changed after a day or so. Heck even when she got home. I didn't need to keep her in the bedroom for more then 5 minutes. I suspect she was totally ready to move around a larger space. She got locked in a bathroom with the light on by mistake and was totally upset about it. It was only like two minutes or less because I could hear her. She was all curled up in the sink and submissive like. So yeah, she can't take that at all.

You might like this story... Another older cat was in the basement with her. She was never adopted but she went to a foster home. The women taking care of her had a window seat available for her and she was so obviously happy being in the sun. She got ill within a couple of days... Maybe she was ready. Maybe she was tired. The foster mom stayed with her literally the whole time until she past a few days later. So for her last days she was happy and at peace.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[possum220]

Sometimes it doesn't even have to be a toy. My cat used to love shoving her head into my slipper and then kicking it with her back legs. But then she also used to like my toes. She must have had some foot fetish...........

[lizardlady]

I have four cats ranging from 4 years old to 18 (I think). They all play. OK, Callie, the grande dame elderly kitty doesn't play as much as the younger ones, but she'll tear around chasing the dreaded red dot (lasar light).

Like someone else said, I would not be too concerned about new kitty being in the house alone when you go to work unless you live in a windowless basement. Others mentioned toys that kitty can play with alone. I have one that mine love. It's a plastic rectangle with holes in the sides. There's a soft catnip ball inside the box. They love trying to get the ball out. Also, cats sleep most of the day. Make time for play before and after work and kitty ought to be fine.

Thank you so much for adopting a rescue kitty!

[googley]

And cat "toys" don't have to be cat toys. My kitties like to play with paper bags and toilet paper roles when they toilet paper is gone. They like wrapping paper and empty pop cans. They like empty kleenex boxes, balls, and empty pop boxes. They make most of their toys out of things I woulld otherwise get rid of. Just know if you are gone all day they will find things to play with, and sometimes it may not be what you wanted them to play with (toilet paper roll w/ toilet paper still on it etc.) They are good at keeping themselves entertained.

[shabur]

Originally Posted by Michanne

Wow, those are some great ideas. I especially like the idea of a stuffed animal. I think I even have some furry fabric to sew one. The shelter sounds much smaller but has similar setup and policies. They also require you sign an agreement not to declaw and they must be indoor (lots of coyotes and foxes even in the city). One reason I picked her out is she wants to be the only cat. She is declawed unfortunately.

Since she had been there so long the facility owner was able to tell me a lot about her which was wonderfully helpful. It is nice to know they can safely take care of them for life if necessary. I do not know if she was ever in a foster home. I am not closed to another cat if it is in her best interest but having had two cats for many years I kind of like just being devoted to one. If I did decide to get another I would try first at the same shelter since they are so familiar with her. I can't imagine they are going to forget her anytime soon They are too far away to volunteer and I am rather broke right now but I am making a bunch of cat toys for them.

Yep her demeanor totally started to changed after a day or so. Heck even when she got home. I didn't need to keep her in the bedroom for more then 5 minutes. I suspect she was totally ready to move around a larger space. She got locked in a bathroom with the light on by mistake and was totally upset about it. It was only like two minutes or less because I could hear her. She was all curled up in the sink and submissive like. So yeah, she can't take that at all.

You might like this story... Another older cat was in the basement with her. She was never adopted but she went to a foster home. The women taking care of her had a window seat available for her and she was so obviously happy being in the sun. She got ill within a couple of days... Maybe she was ready. Maybe she was tired. The foster mom stayed with her literally the whole time until she past a few days later. So for her last days she was happy and at peace.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

It sounds like you have a sweetheart of a cat. If you choose her because she wants to be an only cat then she wouldn't do well introducing another.
The shelter I volunteer at also has the same requirements regarding declawing and letting the cat outdoors. We also include a statement that we can at anytime come to check on the animal and if we find the animal is not being cared for properly we reserve the right to take the animal back. We've only done this a few times when we learned the animal was being mistreated.
I'm happy the other cat found with your's was ale to spend her last days in a warm loving home. We see this, too. We have an incredible group of fosters that do hospice fostering. When we have an animal come in that has a an illness that is going to limit its life, as long as the animal is experiencing a quality life we put them into hospice foster where they can live their life comfortably and happy.

I'm glad you have your kitty. They add so much enrichment to our lives. If you need any help feel free to message me.